# Laertes — Philoctetes character guide

> Laertes in Philoctetes by Sophocles.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Laertes

**First appearance:** 0002-philoctetes

## Who they are

Father of Odysseus, mentioned as part of Neoptolemus' patronymic.

## Relationships

### [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/odysseus)

_family_

Laertes is Odysseus's father, though their relationship is distant and referenced only in Odysseus's background.

### [Philoctetes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/philoctetes)

_social_

Laertes and Philoctetes have no direct relationship; they are merely distant acquaintances through the Trojan War context.

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

_social_

Laertes and Neoptolemus are not directly related; they are merely part of the same Greek heroic lineage.

### [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/achilles)

_social_

Achilles and Laertes are both Greek heroes of different generations, with no direct interaction.

### [Philoctetes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/philoctetes)

_social_

Laertes and Philoctetes have no direct relationship; they are merely distant acquaintances through the Trojan War context.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/laertes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters