# Aeschylus — Essays character guide

> Aeschylus in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-self-reliance

## Who they are

Ancient Greek tragedian, mentioned in connection with his play 'The Eumenides'.

## In the story

### [Intellect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/intellect)

Used as a test case for intellectual self-reliance; his fame is irrelevant if he cannot 'approve himself a master of delight' to the individual reader, who must be willing to 'sacrifice a thousand Aeschyluses' to their own integrity.

### [Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/character)

Cited as a 'favorite book' of individuals with deep character, representing a personal stake in great works.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters/aeschylus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters