The Song Of Achilles (chapter 9,page 78-79)

The Song of Achilles (chapter 9,page 78-79)

At night we lay on soft grass in front of the cave, and Chiron showed us constellations, telling their stories-Andromeda, cowering before the sea monster's jaws, and Perseus poised to rescue her; the immortal horse Pegasus, aloft on his wings, born from the severed neck of Medusa. He told us too Heracles, his labours, and the madness that took him. In its grip he had not recognized his wife and children, and had killed them for enemies.

Achilles asked, "How could he not recognize his wife?"

"That is the nature of madness," Chiron said. His voice sounded deeper than usual. He had known this man, I remembered. Had known the wife.

"But why did the madness come?"

"The gods wished to punish him," Chiron answered.

Achilles shook his head, impatiently. "But this was a greater punishment for her. It was not fair of them."

"There is no law that gods must be fair,Achilles," Chiron said.

"And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth, when another is gone. Do you think?"

"Perhaps," Achilles admitted.

Sofia Coppola at the Venice Film Festival in 2003 and 2023.

"I'm just like him" and the him in question is a dead alcoholic.