# Menelaus — The Odyssey character guide

> Menelaus in The Odyssey by Homer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Atrides, fair-haired Menelaus, godlike Menelaus, King Menelaus, the valiant Menelaus

**First appearance:** 0004-book-iii-interview-of-telemachus-with-nestor

## Who they are

The fair-haired king of Sparta, home at last from Troy but still haunted by the war, who receives Telemachus with lavish hospitality and hard-won news.

## Relationships

### [Telemachus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/telemachus)

_social_

Menelaus hosts Telemachus as a guest and provides him with news and gifts, acting as a helpful elder ally.

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

_friendship_

Menelaus is a fellow Greek king and comrade-in-arms of Ulysses from the Trojan War, sharing a bond of old alliance.

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

_friendship_

Menelaus is a fellow Greek king and comrade-in-arms of Ulysses from the Trojan War, sharing a bond of old alliance.

### [Telemachus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/telemachus)

_social_

Menelaus hosts Telemachus as a guest and provides him with news and gifts, acting as a helpful elder ally.

### [Telemachus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/telemachus)

_social_

Menelaus hosts Telemachus as a guest and provides him with news and gifts, acting as a helpful elder ally.

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

_friendship_

Menelaus is a fellow Greek king and comrade-in-arms of Ulysses from the Trojan War, sharing a bond of old alliance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters/menelaus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_odyssey_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_odyssey_se/characters