Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Cephalus

Although he only makes a brief appearance at the beginning of the dialogue, Cephalus is the only character who has some serious seniority, and maybe authority, over Socrates. As the head of the household, he commands respect and has a kind fatherly affection toward Socrates. And while you wouldn't exactly call him a mentor, it's no coincidence that it's Cephalus's conversation about old age that gets the whole conversation about justice underway. In terms of the narrative, Cephalus is kind of an absent, guiding force for the whole topic of justice and the good life.