# Priam — Troilus and Cressida character guide

> Priam in Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Priam Paris, Cassandra O Priam, royal Priam, Priam Ay

**First appearance:** 0008-act-ii-scene-ii

## Snapshot

Troy's aged king, whose word convenes the council that decides which lives and loves are expendable for the city's good.

## Who they are

Priam presides over the Trojan state and the sons who defend it, weighing Antenor's military value against a private love affair. He never appears as a tyrant, only as a ruler forced to trade one person for another and call it policy. His authority sets the machinery in motion that separates Troilus from Cressida before the lovers can even plead their case.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Priam is Troilus's father and king of Troy, a relationship of filial duty and royal lineage.

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

_family_

Priam is Troilus's father and king of Troy, a relationship of filial duty and royal lineage.

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

_family_

Priam is Troilus's father and king of Troy, a relationship of filial duty and royal lineage.

## In the story

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

Presides over the Trojan council, presenting the Greek demand to return Helen.

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

Tries to persuade Hector to stay, citing omens and prophecies, but ultimately fails.

## Links

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