Laches

Elenchus  -  The elenchus is the primary method of Socratic philosophy. Essentially a cross-examination, it proceeds by an intensive series of questions and aims to lead the interviewee to conclude for himself that he does not know what he assumed to know previously. The elenchus is Socrates's primary means of deepening the wisdom of his students. By convincing other characters in an elenchus that they do not actually know the nature of something they thought they did, Socrates brings these characters closer to one single truth and grain of knowledge—namely, that they know nothing.

Socratic Irony  -  Socratic irony is a form of indirect communication employed by Socrates to reveal the ignorance of his interlocutors while insincerely praising their abilities. This technique is deeply informed by the elenchus. Socrates even occasionally practices it against himself although philosophers today are divided as to his sincerity while doing so.

Courage  -  The search for the meaning of courage is the central theme of the Laches. This is a search that ultimately fails in the end since neither Socrates nor any one of his companions is able to adequately put into words the meaning of courage. However, this failure is itself a noteworthy point of the dialogue.

Sophists  -  The sophists were a class of rhetoricians and philosophers who were widely hired as teachers in ancient Greece. Socrates mentions them mainly in sarcasm when he states that he wishes he could afford to absorb their wisdom. Socrates dislikes the sophists because they pretend to have knowledge of the nature of virtue and they give grand, pretentious explanations rather than the clear and concise definitions preferred by Socrates. In short, they practice rhetoric rather than true philosophy.

Characters

Socrates  -  Socrates is the main character of the dialogue who is responsible for guiding the direction of conversation with pointed questions throughout the enquiry. In the Laches, as in almost all of Plato's dialogues, Socrates serves as the logical hero, who, unlike the others, rarely makes a mistake concerning the nature of courage. Rather, Socrates prefers to question the other characters through his technique of elenchus so as to make them wiser by demonstrating their lack of knowledge. At the conclusion of the dialogue, it is unanimously decided that Socrates will be chosen as an appropriate teacher for the children of Lysimachus and Melesias.

Lysimachus  -  Lysimachus is the character whose opening monologue begins the dialogue. He and his friend Melesias have gathered their friends Laches and Nicias to inquire of them whether or not they ought to teach their children the art of fighting in armor. They are looking to make honorable men of their children and want the advice of their friends since they are honorable men themselves and they have already raised children.

Laches  -  Laches is a distinguished general who was sought after by Lysimachus and Melesias for advice in how to raise their children. He plays a major role in the dialogue, frequently offering his own opinion on matters or responding to claims made by Nicias or Socrates.

Melesias  -  Melesias is a friend of Lysimachus who plays a small part in the dialogue and wishes with Lysimachus to find a mentor for his son.

Nicias  -  Nicias is a general who Lysimachus has asked, with Laches, to help instruct his son and the son of Melesias. Nicias has very strong opinions throughout the dialogue and attempts to define courage as a kind of wisdom, which is the knowledge of the grounds of fear and hope.

Aristides  -  Aristides is the son of Lysimachus who is mentioned only once. He bears the name of his grandfather, Lysimachus's father. Lysimachus wishes that Aristides would live-up to his honorable name and motivates Aristides to seek the council of Nicias and Laches.

Thucydides  -  Thucydides is the son of Melesias, and is mentioned only once. Like Aristides, he bears the name of his grandfather, which is why his father wants him to be brought up honorably.