# Ulysses — Nicomachean Ethics character guide

> Ulysses in Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ulysses⁠

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

## Who they are

Odysseus, Homeric hero used as example of cunning and endurance.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Sophocles wrote Ulysses (Odysseus) as a character in his plays, particularly Ajax and Philoctetes.

### [Neoptolemus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters/neoptolemus)

_friendship_

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

### [Calypso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters/calypso)

_romantic_

Calypso is a nymph who keeps Ulysses (Odysseus) as her lover on her island for seven years.

## In the story

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

Referenced in a quote from Calypso advising to avoid dangerous extremes.

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

Persuaded Neoptolemus to lie in the Philoctetes.

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

Ulysses is referenced as the one who persuaded Neoptolemus to adopt a deceptive plan.

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

Mentioned as the one who persuaded Neoptolemus to lie in Sophocles' Philoctetes.

## Links

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