# Simon Dedalus — Ulysses character guide

> Simon Dedalus in Ulysses by James Joyce.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr Simon Dedalus, Mr Dedalus, Mr S. Dedalus, Mr Dedalus senior, Simon, simple Simon

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Snapshot

Stephen's father, a widowed singer and raconteur, Simon can charm a room and empty a purse, trading old glories for drinks while his family slips.

## Who they are

Simon Dedalus moves through Dublin's pubs and parlors with a song on his lips and a story about the old days, mourning his wife and his lost prospects in the same breath. He loves Stephen but can't reach him, and his improvidence has scattered the family into rented rooms and borrowed hopes. His decline shadows Stephen's ambition and gives the novel its bitter portrait of inheritance—what fathers pass down and what sons refuse.

## In the story

### [Proteus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/chapters/iii)

Stephen's father; his voice is recalled in Stephen's thoughts, commenting on family and Stephen's artistic brother.

### [Aeolus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/chapters/vii)

Mocks the bombastic prose and leaves with Ned Lambert for a drink.

### [Lestrygonians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/chapters/viii)

Quoted by Bloom in a remark about Parnell.

### [Wandering Rocks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/chapters/x)

Simon Dedalus meets Father Cowley, then finds his daughter Dilly and gives her money, while joking about his own poverty.

### [Chapter XI: Sirens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/chapters/xi)

Simon Dedalus sings and praises Ben Dollard's performance.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/chapters/xvii)

Mentioned as being in bed among the company that traveled from Sandymount to Glasnevin.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/characters/simon_dedalus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ulysses_se/characters