the narrator of the story is a character in the story, using pronouns like ‘I’ and ‘me’

to make short notes on, and about, a text

Madeline Miller's 'The Song of Achilles': understanding the extract

English

In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils explore how they can alter traditional stories to convey modern ideas and morals. In 'Animal Farm: the Pigs and Power', pupils learn about Orwell's allegory and understand how he uses an apparently simple fairy story to convey a political message. 

In 'Step Into the Unknown', pupils look at the ways in which famous children's writers create convincing settings, particularly through descriptions of windows and doors. In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils take inspiration from the ways in which writers and poets use powerful imagery and symbolism, to inspire their own writing. 

Myths, legends and stories that inspire

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

References to forced marriage, violence against women and girls.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Match these characters, all from ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), to what we know about them.

In ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), how does Madeline Miller describe Patroclus’s father?

you should use one quotation per paragraph

you paragraph should start with a quotation

you should use multiple quotations per paragraph

you should use a long quotation so you have lots to say about it

When writing analytical paragraphs about a text, what is true of your quotations? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)

Patroclus tells us of his father and mother.

We learn that Patroclus is a disappointment to his father.

Patroclus remembers being five years old and the games coming to his home.

Patroclus is holding the prize that will be given to the winning athlete.

Patroclus’s father insults his son saying he should be more like Achilles.

Patroclus sees Achilles celebrating with his father.

Starting with the first, put these plot points from the opening of ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’) in chronological order.

Captivatingly, Patroclus is in awe of Achilles.

Achilles is captivated by Patroclus as he isn’t aware he even exists.

Patroclus looks at Achilles closely, clearly captivated by the athlete.

Patroclus’s father is captivated by his son, always telling him off.

Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), uses the word captivate (or a form of it) accurately?

Patroclus renowns Achilles, seeing him as a powerful athlete.

Achilles was an impressive child, and became a renowned warrior as an adult.

Patroclus is renowned by his father who thinks of him as a disappointment.

Miller bases her story on a renowned character, but shifts the perspective.

Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), uses the word renowned (or a form of it) accurately?

the narrator is a character in the story using ‘I’ and ‘me’

the narrator speaks directly to the reader using ‘you’

narrator isn’t a character in story; knows thoughts of every one

narrator isn’t a character in story; shown thoughts of 1 character

Which of the following is the word for stories that tell us about how the world began, and why the world is how it is?

on the relevant section of the text itself

When reading a text, we often annotate it making short notes about interesting ideas. Where should you annotate?

He looked up and watched his father admire the young athlete.

“I can’t believe his speed!” he gasped.

Even then, I knew I was looking at someone very special.

Which of these sentences is written in the first person? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)

He was a solid, giant of a man, and I didn’t like him.

He was incredibly swift. No arrow could move faster.

He was as strong as a lion, with a shout to match.

As he ran past, I felt the ripple of the wind rush past me.

Which of these sentences uses a simile? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)

To {{ }} means to write short notes on, and about, a text.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz