What parts of a person’s life did Plutarch usually cover in his biographies?

In his Parallel Lives, Plutarch did not aim to write formal history; instead, he focused on character and moral edification. His general biographical scheme typically included the following elements:

• Life Stages: He covered the subject's birth, youth, and character, as well as the circumstances of their death.1
• Achievements: He detailed the noble deeds and career milestones of his subjects, who were primarily soldiers, legislators, orators, and statesmen.21
• Ethical Reflection: His narratives were frequently interspersed with personal ethical reflections.1
• Formal Comparison: Each pair of biographies concluded with a formal comparison between the Greek and Roman subjects, highlighting similarities in their character or career.13

Plutarch’s approach was flexible, as the specific details included varied depending on the subject and the availability of sources, which ranged from memoirs and anecdotes to historical accounts. His primary goal was to provide model patterns of behavior to delight and edify his readers.13