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Year 8

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

I can show understanding of ‘Song of Achilles’ through comprehension and annotation.

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New
New
Year 8

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

I can show understanding of ‘Song of Achilles’ through comprehension and annotation.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Achilles is a renowned warrior from Greek mythology.
  2. Patroclus is another character from Greek mythology; he is the closest friend of Achilles.
  3. Madeline Miller wrote ‘The Song of Achilles’ from the first person perspective of Patroclus.
  4. To start, Miller focuses on the relationship between Patroclus and his father, and when Patroclus first sees Achilles.
  5. When annotating a text, you can use a range of symbols and notes to help develop an understanding of the text’s ideas.

Keywords

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

  • Perspective - point of view

  • Renowned - famous

  • Captivate - to hold the attention of someone

  • Annotate - to make short notes on, and about, a text

Common misconception

Annotating means highlighting everything you think is important in a text.

Annotating is a skill that requires time and thought. Using symbols and short notes makes your annotations helpful and understandable, even if you come back to them at a much later date.


To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Madeline Miller's 'The Song of Achilles': understanding the extract, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Consider if annotating the extract yourself before the lesson, so you have a model to show your pupils in LC1, would support their understanding of what good annotation looks like.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the story ‘The Song of Achilles’ by Madeline Miller published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc in 2011.

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

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each term to its definition.
Correct Answer:first person ,the narrator is a character in the story using ‘I’ and ‘me’

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

Correct Answer:second person ,the narrator speaks directly to the reader using ‘you’

the narrator speaks directly to the reader using ‘you’

Correct Answer:third person omniscient ,narrator isn’t a character in story; knows thoughts of every one

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

Correct Answer:third person limited ,narrator isn’t a character in story; shown thoughts of 1 character

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

Q2.
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?
fairy tales
legends
non fiction
fables
Correct answer: myths
Q3.
When reading a text, we often annotate it making short notes about interesting ideas. Where should you annotate?
on the last page of a text
in an exercise book
Correct answer: on the relevant section of the text itself
in your head
Q4.
Which of these sentences is written in the first person? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
He looked up and watched his father admire the young athlete.
“I can’t believe his speed!” he gasped.
Correct answer: Even then, I knew I was looking at someone very special.
Correct answer: My father was disappointed in me.
Q5.
Which of these sentences uses a simile? (‘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.
Correct answer: 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.
Q6.
To means to write short notes on, and about, a text.
Correct Answer: annotate

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match these characters, all from ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), to what we know about them.
Correct Answer:Achilles,a famous, fast and powerful warrior

a famous, fast and powerful warrior

Correct Answer:Patroclus,the closest friend of Achilles

the closest friend of Achilles

Correct Answer:Peleus,a king

a king

Correct Answer:Thetis,a sea nymph

a sea nymph

Q2.
In ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), how does Madeline Miller describe Patroclus’s father?
as a prince
as sweet as honey
Correct answer: as a bull
as an athlete
as slow
Q3.
When writing analytical paragraphs about a text, what is true of your quotations? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
you should use one quotation per paragraph
you paragraph should start with a quotation
Correct answer: you should use multiple quotations per paragraph
you should use a long quotation so you have lots to say about it
Q4.
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.
1 - Patroclus tells us of his father and mother.
2 - We learn that Patroclus is a disappointment to his father.
3 - Patroclus remembers being five years old and the games coming to his home.
4 - Patroclus is holding the prize that will be given to the winning athlete.
5 - Achilles wins the race.
6 - Patroclus’s father insults his son saying he should be more like Achilles.
7 - Patroclus sees Achilles celebrating with his father.
Q5.
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?
Captivatingly, Patroclus is in awe of Achilles.
Achilles is captivated by Patroclus as he isn’t aware he even exists.
Correct answer: Patroclus looks at Achilles closely, clearly captivated by the athlete.
Patroclus’s father is captivated by his son, always telling him off.
Q6.
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?
Patroclus renowns Achilles, seeing him as a powerful athlete.
Correct answer: 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.
Correct answer: Miller bases her story on a renowned character, but shifts the perspective.

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