Was Achilles (Song of Achilles) Really a Hero?

I used to think heroism was written in bronze and blood, that Achilles stood above all others like a god among men. But after rereading Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, I began to wonder—was he truly a hero, or just a man who killed well and loved beautifully?

The novel paints Achilles as both tender and terrible, a warrior unmatched in battle but also deeply flawed. It’s easy to be seduced by Patroclus’ adoration, but when we look closer, Achilles’ actions raise uncomfortable questions. Let’s explore the evidence for and against Achilles as a hero.

## His Loyalty to Patroclus

There’s no doubt that Achilles’ love for Patroclus is the emotional core of The Song of Achilles. His grief when Patroclus dies is so raw, so all-consuming, that it transforms him. He reenters the war not just for vengeance, but for love.

This depth of feeling humanizes him in a way that few warriors in myth ever achieve. In a world where glory often trumps compassion, Achilles chooses to fight for something deeply personal. That kind of devotion can feel heroic—selfless, passionate, and enduring.

## His Refusal to Fight for Greece

When Agamemnon dishonors him by taking Briseis, Achilles withdraws from the war. He lets his comrades die, knowing his absence will cost lives. Patroclus tries to fill the void in his place, and we all know how that ends.

This is hard to square with the image of a hero. A hero might be angry, but would he let thousands die out of pride? Achilles puts his personal honor above the lives of others. That’s not courage—it’s self-absorption.

## His Rage and Cruelty

After Hector kills Patroclus, Achilles goes feral. He kills Hector in brutal fashion and drags his body behind his chariot for days. The gods have to intervene to protect Hector’s corpse from further desecration.

There’s nothing noble about this behavior. It’s vengeance at its most primal. A hero might grieve and fight, but Achilles crosses into something darker—something monstrous. His rage eclipses his reason, and in that moment, he becomes the very thing he claims to hate.

## His Mortal Flaw: Hubris

Achilles is aware of his fate—glory in battle, or a quiet life. He chooses glory. But that choice is driven by his need to be remembered, to be immortalized. He’s warned, even by Thetis, that this path will end in tragedy.

His hubris, the belief that he can defy fate and still win, defines his downfall. In that sense, he’s more like a tragic figure than a hero. He’s not destroyed by weakness, but by his own greatness—his pride, his certainty, his refusal to bend.

## So, Was He a Hero?

That depends on how you define heroism. If it’s about being loved, then yes—Patroclus saw him as one. If it’s about legacy, then absolutely—he’s remembered more vividly than almost any other warrior in myth.

But if heroism means putting others before yourself, then Achilles falls short. He’s brilliant, beautiful, and brave, but also selfish, vengeful, and destructive.

On HoloDream, you can talk to Achilles and ask him directly—what did he believe in? What would he do differently? You might be surprised by his answer.

Talk to Achilles on HoloDream and explore the man behind the myth.