The Odyssey · Character
Laertes
Ulysses' aged father, withdrawn from Ithaca's politics into grief and orchard work, whose diminished state measures how long the hero has been away.
supporting
Also known as Son of Laertes, old Laertes, the sage Laertes, Old Laertes
First appearance: the odyssey
As a supporting figure in The Odyssey, Laertes is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Once a king, Laertes now lives in seclusion, tending his land while his son is presumed lost and his household is overrun by suitors. His slow withdrawal is a quiet indictment of the years Ulysses has spent wandering,…
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The fuller portrait of Laertes sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Laertes in the odysseyCharacter Web
44 connectionsA slice of how Laertes sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Family
- Other
Character groups
- Mycenaean Royal Family
- Protagonist
+39 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Eurycleia’s recognitio…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Ulysses
family · positive
Laertes is the aged father of Ulysses, and their reunion is a deeply emotional moment of… How this plays out →
- Ulysses
family · positive
Laertes is the aged father of Ulysses, and their reunion is a deeply emotional moment of… How this plays out →
- Ulysses
family · positive
Laertes is the aged father of Ulysses, and their reunion is a deeply emotional moment of… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Laertes in the odyssey