# Hector — Troilus and Cressida character guide

> Hector in Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the great Hector, the gallant Hector, Hector Aeneas, Hector the great, Hector Paris, worthy Hector, brave Hector, sweet Hector, Great Hector, Hector Ho, Hector Brother, brother Hector, Hector Fie

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Troy's greatest warrior, whose single defeat by Ajax leaves him fasting and sleepless, hungry to restore his honor in the next day's battle.

## Who they are

Hector is the pillar of Troy, the man whose name Cressida invokes as the standard against which all others are measured. Struck down by Ajax the day before, he is 'kept fasting and waking' by the shame, and Pandarus warns he will 'lay about him' when he next takes the field. His pride and prowess anchor the Trojan side of the war, and his courtesy toward the Greek lords — including his wary exchange with Ulysses — shows a nobility the play will steadily test.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Hector is Troilus's older brother and fellow Trojan prince, sharing a protective but strained sibling relationship due to differing views on honor.

### [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/ajax)

_rivalry_

Ajax and Hector are legendary opponents who engage in single combat, representing the peak of Greek and Trojan martial prowess.

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

_social_

Hector and Pandarus are acquaintances in the Trojan court, with Pandarus serving as a go-between for romantic intrigues.

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

_family_

Hector is Troilus's older brother and fellow Trojan prince, sharing a protective but strained sibling relationship due to differing views on honor.

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

_family_

Hector is Troilus's older brother and fellow Trojan prince, sharing a protective but strained sibling relationship due to differing views on honor.

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

_social_

Hector and Pandarus are acquaintances in the Trojan court, with Pandarus serving as a go-between for romantic intrigues.

### [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/ajax)

_rivalry_

Ajax and Hector are legendary opponents who engage in single combat, representing the peak of Greek and Trojan martial prowess.

## In the story

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

Mentioned as having been angered by Ajax's victory; seen passing by in armor.

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

Trojan prince who issues a challenge to the Greeks to prove his lady's beauty and his own valor.

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

Argues pragmatically and morally for returning Helen, citing the cost of war and natural law.

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

Mentioned as being afield in battle and needing to be disarmed by Helen.

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

Welcomed by the Greek commanders, engages in a combative exchange with Achilles, fights and then embraces his cousin Ajax, and agrees to dine with the Greeks.

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

Visits the Greek camp and bids good night to the Greek generals.

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

Determined to fight despite warnings from Andromache, Cassandra, and Priam; insists on keeping his vow and upholding honor.

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

Enters the scene, confronts Thersites, and spares his life.

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

Praises Troilus's fighting, confronts Achilles, and pursues a Greek for his armor.

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

Hector kills an unarmed Greek and removes his armor, only to be ambushed and killed by Achilles and the Myrmidons while unarmed.

## Links

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