# Agamemnon — Troilus and Cressida character guide

> Agamemnon in Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Great Agamemnon, Agamemnon Sir, Agamemnon Yonder, Agamemnon This Trojan

**First appearance:** 0005-act-i-scene-iii

## Snapshot

High king of the Greek host, Agamemnon wears the title 'general' like armor that no longer fits — obeyed in name, ignored in fact.

## Who they are

Agamemnon opens the play presiding over a stalled siege, his authority asserted in formal speeches ('which with one voice call Agamemnon head and general') while his greatest warrior, Achilles, sulks in his tent and refuses to fight. His scene with Aeneas shows a king who can match Trojan courtesy blow for blow, but the council scenes reveal a leader whose command is mostly the management of other men's egos. He matters because the Greek war effort is only as strong as his fragile grip on Achilles, Ajax, and Ulysses — and that grip is visibly slipping.

## Relationships

### [Troilus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/troilus)

_rivalry_

Agamemnon, as Greek commander, is Troilus's enemy by virtue of the war, though they rarely meet directly.

### [Pandarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/pandarus)

_social_

Agamemnon and Pandarus have limited interaction, likely as opposing figures in the war's social fabric.

### [Troilus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/troilus)

_rivalry_

Agamemnon, as Greek commander, is Troilus's enemy by virtue of the war, though they rarely meet directly.

### [Troilus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/troilus)

_rivalry_

Agamemnon, as Greek commander, is Troilus's enemy by virtue of the war, though they rarely meet directly.

### [Pandarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/pandarus)

_social_

Agamemnon and Pandarus have limited interaction, likely as opposing figures in the war's social fabric.

### [Pandarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/pandarus)

_social_

Agamemnon and Pandarus have limited interaction, likely as opposing figures in the war's social fabric.

## In the story

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Greek commander who welcomes Aeneas and accepts Hector's challenge on behalf of the Greeks.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Leads the delegation to summon Achilles, expresses frustration at his pride, and decides to proceed without him.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Agrees to Calchas' request and leads the Greek commanders in snubbing Achilles.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Leads the welcome for Hector and Troilus, and invites all to his tent for a feast.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v)

Reports dire Greek casualties and urges reinforcement.

### [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ix)

Leads the Greek commanders, hears the shout of Hector's death, and orders a messenger to summon Achilles.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/agamemnon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters