# Neoptolemus — Nicomachean Ethics character guide

> Neoptolemus in Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i

## Who they are

Son of Achilles, referenced in ethical dilemmas.

## Relationships

### [Sophocles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters/sophocles)

_professional_

Sophocles is the playwright who created the character Neoptolemus in his tragedy Philoctetes.

### [Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters/ulysses)

_friendship_

In Sophocles' Philoctetes, Ulysses guides and manipulates Neoptolemus, but they are allies on a mission.

## In the story

### [Characters Other Than Virtue and Vice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/characters-other-than-virtue-and-vice)

Example from Sophocles' Philoctetes: abandons his resolution for a noble pleasure (truth).

### [Chapter II: The Problem of Incontinence and Knowledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii)

Neoptolemus is mentioned as an example of praiseworthy incontinence, where he abandons a lying plan due to pain.

### [Chapter IX: Continence and Incontinence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix)

Cited as an example of someone who abandons a resolution not from incontinence but for a noble pleasure, specifically truth, after being persuaded by Ulysses to lie.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters/neoptolemus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters