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Character analysis · cunning Achaean leader and envoy to Achilles (Ulysses in Butler's translation)

Odysseus

in The Iliad by Homer

Odysseus, referred to as Ulysses in Butler's translation, stands out as one of the key leaders among the Achaeans in the Iliad. His value lies not in brute strength but in his wise advice, eloquence, and sharp wit. Helen describes him to Priam as "a man of great craft, son of Laertes… born in rugged Ithaca," who "excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning." The elder Trojan Antenor recalls how Ulysses's voice came "driving from his deep chest like winter snow before the wind" — striking, even though he may not appear imposing.

Throughout the poem, Ulysses plays a crucial role in Achaean leadership. He commands the ship that returns Chryseis to her father in Book I, rallies the frightened troops in Book II at Minerva's urging, fights alongside Ajax and Diomed on the front lines in Book V, leads the effort to persuade Achilles in Book IX, and teams up with Diomed on the dangerous night raid in Book X. He represents a grounded political realism: when Agamemnon suggests pulling the ships back to the sea and abandoning Troy, Ulysses firmly counters him. In Book XIX, he appears at Achilles's assembly, still limping from his injury, to help mediate the conflict.

His role demonstrates a steady, practical dedication to the Achaean cause — never a lone hero seeking personal glory, but always the one who keeps the collective effort moving forward when others falter.

About this character

Role
cunning Achaean leader and envoy to Achilles (Ulysses in Butler's translation)
Form
Novel
Author
Homer
First published
c. 750 BCE

The person01–03

01·Who they are

Who is Odysseus?

Odysseus first appears in Book I as a prominent figure among the Achaeans, mentioned alongside Ajax as a potential target for Agamemnon's wrath. His defining traits are vividly illustrated in Book III, where Helen describes him as "a man of great craft" who "excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning." Antenor adds that although he may not have a commanding presence and seems awkward when speaking, his words can flow "like winter snow before the wind," making him formidable in debate. In Book II, he's called "peer of Jove in counsel." His ship is located at the center of the Achaean line in Book XI, symbolically placing him at the heart of the army.

02·Arc & motivation

What is Odysseus's arc and motivation?

Odysseus is motivated by a clear goal: the survival and success of the Achaean forces. Unlike Achilles or Diomed, he isn't driven by a desire for personal glory. In Book II, as the army rushes to the ships, he stands apart, grieving, and works quickly to prevent chaos. In Book XIV, he boldly challenges Agamemnon's defeatism, stating, "I despise your judgement utterly." In Book IX, he appeals to Achilles purely in terms of the army's needs. Throughout the poem, he represents relentless, pragmatic service, punctuated by at least one moment of personal failure (his retreat in Book VIII).

03·Key moments

What are Odysseus's key moments?

  • Book I: Odysseus is appointed captain of the ship returning Chryseis, marking his first act of service to Agamemnon.
  • Book II: Athena finds him by his ship and instructs him to rally the army; he takes Agamemnon's staff and approaches the soldiers, speaking "fairly" to the kings while using the staff to maintain order among the common soldiers, preventing a mass desertion.
  • Book III: Helen's description and Antenor's detailed portrait reveal his contradictory strength: an unremarkable appearance conceals a powerful rhetorical ability; Antenor also confirms the earlier embassy to Troy.
  • Book V: He fights alongside the two Ajaxes and Diomed, standing firm against the Trojan attack, and kills Coeranus, Alastor, Chromius, Alcandrus, Halius, Noemon, and Prytanis before Hector's arrival stops him.
  • Book VIII: When Diomed calls for help to defend Nestor, Odysseus "would not give ear, but sped onward to the ships" — a moment that shows a rare instance of apparent cowardice, noted by the text without any justification.
  • Book IX: He leads the embassy to Achilles, delivering Agamemnon's offer, only to face Achilles' sharp rejection; Achilles declares that he hates "even as the gates of hell" the man who says one thing while hiding another in his heart, and addresses his response directly to Ulysses.
  • Book X: He and Diomed go out as spies, encounter Dolon, gather information, kill him, and then take down Rhesus and his horses.
  • Book XIV: Despite being injured, he criticizes Agamemnon's suggestion to abandon Troy, calling it disastrous and contemptible.
  • Book XIX: Still limping from his wounds, he attends the assembly called by Achilles, taking a front-row seat — a detail that underscores his unwavering commitment to the cause.

The cast04–05

04·Relationships

What are Odysseus's most important relationships?

With Agamemnon, Odysseus acts as both a tool and a counterbalance: he follows the king's orders when they are sound but confronts him directly when they fall short (Book XIV). With Achilles, their relationship is characterized by mutual respect but also deep incompatibility: Achilles welcomes the embassy warmly, telling his guests that they "are still dearest to me of the Achaeans," yet outright rejects the offer, directing his famous declaration against double-talk — that he hates like the gates of hell the man who says one thing while hiding another — squarely at Ulysses. With Diomed, Odysseus is a partner in battle, though the incident in Book VIII — where Diomed calls for help and Odysseus retreats to the ships — is recorded without comment or resolution. With Nestor, Odysseus is the man Nestor trusts most when sending the embassy, believing in his persuasive abilities above all others.

05·Connected characters

How is Odysseus connected to the other characters?

Agamemnon

Odysseus is Agamemnon's most reliable political instrument, carrying out his orders (captaining the Chryseis mission, rallying the troops) while also checking him sharply when his leadership fails, as in the Book XIV rebuke.

Achilles

Ulysses leads the embassy to Achilles, delivering Agamemnon's offer of gifts; Achilles rejects him pointedly, saying he hates the man who hides one thing in his heart while saying another — a direct thrust at Ulysses's reputation for craft.

Ajax

Ajax and Odysseus frequently act as a pair — both are named as possible commanders in Book I, both fight side by side in Book V, and both go as envoys to Achilles in Book IX, with Odysseus leading the way.

Diomed

Diomed and Odysseus are paired repeatedly in battle (Book V) and on the night-raid of Book X; in Book VIII Diomed calls on Odysseus for help defending Nestor, but Odysseus flees, a moment that strains their comradeship.

Nestor

Nestor selects Odysseus as one of the envoys to Achilles in Book IX and looks to him especially, trusting his persuasive powers above those of the others.

Helen

Helen identifies Odysseus to Priam in Book III, describing him as a man of great craft and subtle cunning, and Antenor confirms that Odysseus once came to Troy as an envoy alongside Menelaus on her behalf.

Menelaus

Menelaus accompanied Odysseus on the pre-war embassy to Troy to demand Helen's return, as Antenor recalls in Book III.

Study06–07

06·Questions

Questions readers ask about Odysseus

How does Homer characterise Ulysses's appearance and speaking style?

When he stood up to speak, he initially remained silent, looking down and holding his sceptre upright and rigid, like "a man unpractised in oratory." But when he finally spoke, his words burst forth "from his deep chest like winter snow before the wind," making it impossible for anyone to compare him.

What is Ulysses's role in the embassy to Achilles in Book IX?

Nestor chooses him as one of three envoys, along with Ajax and Phoenix, and counts on him particularly to convince Achilles. Odysseus takes the lead toward Achilles' tent and presents the complete list of gifts Agamemnon has offered, urging Achilles to reconsider for the army's sake. Achilles firmly declines and makes it clear that he despises anyone who says one thing while feeling another.

Why does Odysseus rebuke Agamemnon in Book XIV?

When Agamemnon proposes to pull the ships into the sea to prevent destruction, Odysseus strongly opposes this idea, deeming it disastrous. He cautions that the Achaeans would lose their determination the moment they witnessed the ships being launched, resulting in their defeat by the Trojans. Odysseus expresses his complete disdain for Agamemnon's judgment regarding his suggestions and stresses that moving the ships into the water amidst the ongoing battle would only benefit the victorious Trojans.

What happens when Diomed calls on Odysseus for help in Book VIII?

Diomed calls out to Odysseus, urging him to stay and help defend Nestor against Hector's attack, but "Ulysses would not give ear, but sped onward to the ships." As a result, Diomed must confront the danger by himself.

What is the significance of Ulysses's ship being placed at the centre of the Achaean line?

In Book XI, the narrator notes that Discord stands by Ulysses's ship because it is "middlemost of all," enabling her voice to be heard at both ends of the line. This positions Ulysses at the heart of the Achaean army, both physically and symbolically.

What does Odysseus do in Book II to stop the Achaean rout?

At Minerva's urging, he grabs Agamemnon's staff and weaves through the crowd, speaking kindly to the kings and chieftains to keep them steady. He reassures them that Agamemnon was just testing the waters and warns that the king will be furious and may take action against them if they run away, reminding them that kings hold great pride and that Jove's influence is on their side.

07·Essay angles

Use this in your essay

Tool · Essay angles

  • The paradox of craft

    How does Homer use Antenor's description in Book III to depict Odysseus as a figure whose hidden power becomes suddenly overwhelming — and what does this imply about the poem's perspective on rhetoric?

  • Collective versus individual heroism

    Odysseus consistently prioritizes the army's survival over personal glory; how does this differ from Achilles' code, and what does the poem ultimately value more?

  • The Book VIII flight

    Odysseus's retreat to the ships after ignoring Diomed's call for help — how should we evaluate this moment against his other acts of bravery and leadership?

  • The failed embassy (Book IX)

    Despite using every rhetorical technique, Odysseus fails to persuade Achilles; what does this failure reveal about the limits of persuasion and the nature of Achilles' grievance?

  • Odysseus as a political man

    From rallying the army in Book II to criticizing Agamemnon in Book XIV, Odysseus acts as a defender of Achaean collective purpose — what type of leadership does this represent?

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