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Motifs
Definition of Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Heat:
In Chapter 7, Patroclus begins to experience sensual attraction to Achilles, tempted by their intimacy and close proximity. Patroclus uses personification to narrate this attraction:
“That girl—do you like her?”
Achilles turned to face me from across the room.
“Why? Do you?”
“No, no.” I flushed. “That is not what I meant.” I had not felt so uncertain with him since the earliest days.
“I mean, do you want—”
He ran at me, pushed me backwards onto my cot. Leaned over me. “I’m sick of talking about her,” he said. The heat rose up my neck, wrapped fingers over my face.
In the above passage, Patroclus personifies Achilles's body heat: "the heat rose up my neck, wrapped fingers over my face." This personification represents Patroclus's own wishful thinking. He desperately wants Achilles to touch him; he imagines the heat of their proximate bodies enacting what Achilles will not.
In these moments of closeness, the potential for intimate touch generates frisson—a kinetic energy connecting Achilles and Patroclus, pulling them together. Achilles simply runs at Patroclus and pushes him backwards onto a cot. Yet, for Patroclus—already primed for intimacy by their sexual discussion—even the briefest moment of playful roughhousing amongst friends becomes charged.
Related Themes:
Chapter 15
Explanation and Analysis—Envious Death:
In Chapter 15, Patroclus personifies "envious Death," painting a grim picture of a heartless entity who seeks to steal Achilles from him:
The rosy gleam of his lip, the fevered green of his eyes. There was not a line anywhere on his face, nothing creased or graying; all crisp. He was spring, golden and bright. Envious Death would drink his blood, and grow young again.
Through figurative language, Patroclus insinuates that Death wants to drink from the font of Achilles's youth, beauty, and power. This may be a vague allusion to the mythical Fountain of Youth, discussed in the writings of Greek historian Herodotus. Many adventurers sought out this fountain, convinced that those who drank from its waters would see their youth restored or receive immortality.
"Envious Death" may also be a reference to Hades, the Greek god given dominion over the Underworld. In Greek myth, Hades is often characterized as resentful of his brothers Zeus and Poseidon. The two held dominion over the sky and the sea, respectively, while Hades remained trapped beneath the ground, with only dead souls for company. Consequently, certain retellings of Greek myths characterize Hades as envious of the other gods, jealous of the vitality and power they enjoy while he remains chained to death. Hades himself could be the "envious Death" who seeks to steal Achilles's life.
