Discourses · Character
Thersites
Ugly Greek soldier in the Iliad, used as an example of foolishness.
minor
Also known as Thersites 533
First appearance: i of the things which are in our power and not in our power
Thersites shows up with force in On the Power of Speaking. The page is where that presence becomes real.
Used in a hypothetical about perceiving no difference between beauty and ugliness.
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In On the Power of Speaking: Used in a hypothetical about perceiving no difference between beauty and ugliness. Later, in On Familiar Intimacy: Used as an example of a base character that one cannot combine with a…
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The fuller portrait of Thersites sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Thersites in i of the things which are in our power and not in our powerCharacter Web
4 connectionsA slice of how Thersites sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Homeric characters
- Tyrants and tragic kings
- Assorted historical, mythological, and literary figures
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage is the dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional and psychological peak of Epictetus’s ar…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Thersites appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Thersites unlock in the free preview.
See Thersites in i of the things which are in our power and not in our power