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Ajax

Greek hero, used to discuss madness and honor.

minor

Also known as Ajax 281

First appearance: i of the things which are in our power and not in our power

Ajax shows up with force in IX: That When We Cannot Fulfil That Which the Character of a Man Promises, We Assume the Character of a Philosopher. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Referenced in the simile of lifting a stone that Ajax lifted, illustrating the impossible burden of pretending to be a philosopher.
In the storyIX: That When We Cannot Fulfil That Which the Character of a Man Promises, We Assume the Character of a PhilosopherOpen this moment free

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In IX: That When We Cannot Fulfil That Which the Character of a Man Promises, We Assume the Character of a Philosopher: Referenced in the simile of lifting a stone that Ajax lifted, illustrating the impossible burden of…

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Character Web

4 connections

A slice of how Ajax sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

ACAchillesZEZeusDEDemonaxHEHectorAJAjax

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Assorted historical, mythological, and literary figures
  • Homeric characters
  • Mythological exemplars
  • Philosophers and rulers

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This passage is the dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional and psychological peak of Epictetus’s ar…

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In the story

Ajax appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Ajax in i of the things which are in our power and not in our power