Poetry · Character
Callicles
A young poet whose harp follows Empedocles up Etna, offering music as a last, gentle counter to the philosopher's settled gloom.
supporting
Also known as young Callicles
First appearance: the strayed reveller
As a supporting figure in Poetry, Callicles is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Sings at the end of the chapter, providing a lyrical contrast with the tale of Cadmus and Harmonia finding peace in the Illyrian hills.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Callicles is the youthful singer whom Pausanias brings along in secret, instructed to play from a distance and hope the strains might soothe Empedocles' man-hating mood. He is skeptical of miracles and quick to see that…
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The fuller portrait of Callicles sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Callicles in the strayed revellerCharacter Web
12 connectionsA slice of how Callicles sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Empedocles on Etna
- Miscellaneous literary figures
+7 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In "Longing," the emotional peak occurs as the speaker shifts from passive despair to an active, desperate ple…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Pausanias
friendship · ambivalent
Callicles and Pausanias are philosophical companions, engaging in dialogues about ethics… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Callicles in the strayed revellerIn the story
Callicles 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 Callicles unlock in the free preview.
See Callicles in the strayed reveller