# Ulysses — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide > Ulysses in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Odysseus, the Siren of Ulysses, the Suitors Ulysses, Ulysses Greek **First appearance:** 0004-i-introduction ## Snapshot The cunning Greek hero whose long wanderings home from Troy test every loyalty, trick, and appetite he possesses. ## Who they are Ulysses is the Greek captain whose fame rests less on strength than on stratagems, the man whose cleverness wins wars and then prolongs his own voyage home. His story turns on a restless hunger for experience and a wife, Penelope, waiting through years of suitors and uncertainty. Bulfinch uses him to show how myth rewards patience and wit, and how a hero's greatest battle may be against his own wandering nature. ## In the story ### [Author's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/author-s-preface) Mentioned as the prototype of the Siren in Orlando. ### [Bulfinch's Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/bulfinch-s-mythology) Hero of the Odyssey, known for his encounters with Scylla and Charybdis. ### [Glaucus and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/glaucus-and-scylla) Mentioned as one whose companions were destroyed by Scylla. ### [Penelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/penelope) King of Ithaca, husband of Penelope, who left for the Trojan War. ### [XXVII: The Trojan War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxvii-the-trojan-war) Greek hero known for sagacity; recruits reluctant chiefs including Achilles and feigns madness to avoid the war. ### [The Fall of Troy—Return of the Greeks—Orestes and Electra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxviii-the-fall-of-troy-return-of-the-greeks-orestes-and-electra) Awarded the armor of Achilles after his death; devises the stratagem of the wooden horse; enters Troy in disguise to steal the Palladium. ### [The Fall of Troy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-fall-of-troy) Awarded Achilles' armor over Ajax; devises the Trojan Horse stratagem and steals the Palladium with Diomed. ### [Menelaus and Helen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/menelaus-and-helen) Entered Troy in disguise to carry off the Palladium; recognized by Helen who kept his secret. ### [Agamemnon, Orestes, and Electra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/agamemnon-orestes-and-electra) Mentioned indirectly as part of the broader Greek context, but not central to this chapter. ### [Adventures of Ulysses—The Lotus-Eaters—Cyclopes—Circe—Sirens—Scylla and Charybdis—Calypso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxix-adventures-of-ulysses-the-lotus-eaters-cyclopes-circe-sirens-scylla-and-charybdis-calypso) The protagonist of the Odyssey, whose ten-year journey home from Troy is the focus of the chapter. He demonstrates cunning and leadership in escaping the Cyclops and resisting Calypso's offer of immortality. ### [Return of Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/return-of-ulysses) The protagonist, whose cunning and leadership are central to the escape from the Cyclops and the navigation of challenges. ### [The Laestrygonians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-laestrygonians) Leads the crew, escapes the Laestrygonians, resists Circe's magic with Mercury's aid, and navigates past the Sirens. ### [Scylla and Charybdis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/scylla-and-charybdis) The hero who navigates the dangers of Scylla and Charybdis and later loses his crew due to their violation of the Sun's cattle. ### [Calypso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/calypso) The hero who insists on returning to his country, wife, and son despite Calypso's offer of immortality; builds a raft and faces a storm. ### [The Phaeacians—Fate of the Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxx-the-phaeacians-fate-of-the-suitors) Shipwrecked and seeking aid, he is guided by Nausicaa and Minerva, welcomed by the Phaeacians, and later returns to Ithaca to plot against the suitors. ### [The Phaeacians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-phaeacians) Shipwrecked hero who seeks and receives hospitality from the Phaeacians; reveals his identity and recounts his adventures. ### [Fate of the Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/fate-of-the-suitors) Returns to Ithaca after twenty years, disguised as a beggar by Minerva; reunites with Telemachus and slays the suitors. ### [Adventures of Aeneas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/adventures-of-aeneas) Mentioned as the Greek hero whose companion was left behind and whose adventure with Polyphemus is recounted. ### [Nisus and Euryalus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/nisus-and-euryalus) Not directly present, but the chapter is from the Aeneid and involves Trojan-Rutulian conflict; no direct role. ### [The Poets of Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-poets-of-mythology) Central figure in Homer's Odyssey, whose adventures are recounted in the chapter on the Trojan war and the return of the Grecians. ### [Kymbelinus, or Cymbeline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/kymbelinus-or-cymbeline) Not directly present; no relevant character from the provided list appears in the excerpts. ### [Cuchulain, Champion of Ireland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/cuchulain-champion-of-ireland) Not directly present; referenced only in the context of the canonical list, but not in the chapter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/i) Mentioned in connection with Ismarus, his first stop returning from the Trojan War. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/l) Father Laertes; encountered Laestrygonians and Lotus-Eaters. ### [N](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/n) Mentioned as Nausicaa's friend and as assuming the name Noman. ### [T](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/t) Referenced in the entry on Thrinakia, where his men killed Hyperion's cattle and their ship was wrecked. ### [U](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/u) Greek hero of the Odyssey, also known as Odysseus. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/ulysses - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters