Essay Database

Philoctetes Ten years before the play's action begins, the leaders of the Greek crusade had abandoned the play's main character, Philoctetes, when his screams due to a foot ulcer become bothersome to them. But the Greeks discover that they cannot win victory over Troy without Philoctetes and the priceless bow of Heracles. The crafty Odysseus is given the task of fetching Philoctetes by any means possible. Therefore Odysseus determines to use Achilles' son, Neoptolemus as …

…Philoctetes proved harder than Neoptolemus expected, however. His own inherent openness and generosity, which he first suppressed, reveal themselves as his sympathy increases for Philoctetes. Even as Neoptolemus manipulates Philoctetes into trusting him, Philoctetes has made Neoptolemus feel guilty of deceiving him. For much of the play Neoptolemus follows Odysseus' plan, in spite of his good nature. Eventually Neoptolemus renounces duplicity to join in friendship with Philoctetes and returns the bow to its rightful owner.