Philoctetes

“You must maneuver the mind

Of Philoctetes and deceive him with beguiling words.

When he asks who you are and where you come from,

Tell him you’re the son of Achilles—that should never be

Hidden—

But say you are heading home and you have abandoned

The Greek war fleet, bearing a great grudge.

Say they implored you to leave home and join them

As the only man who could bring down Troy,

But they did not regard you worthy of Achilles’ arms

When you claimed them by true right of birth; instead

They awarded them to Odysseus. Say what you will,

As bad as bad can be, the worst things imaginable;

It will do me no harm. But if you fail in this task,

You will inflict terrible pain on your fellow Greeks.

If you cannot capture his blow,

You will never bring down Troy.

You know I could never speak to him as you can;

He will trust you, and you will stay safe. […]

No, this must be expertly contrived so you

Can take his unassailable weapon by stealth.

Son, I know that it’s not in your nature

To consider or articulate such cunning,

But victory is sweet, and he who dares, wins.”

Odysseus says this to Neoptolemus after they see Philoctetes’ cave and realize he must not be far away. It establishes the deceitful plan that will dominate the rest of the play, as well as the prophecy that guides Odysseus and Neoptolemus’ actions. It also establishes Neoptolemus as an honorable character, as Odysseus takes pains to say he knows this deception is not in his nature.

“When words are too painful to hear, son of Laertes,

Then I hate to have to put them into action.

And it is not in my nature to practice treachery,

Nor, so I am told, was it my father’s.

I am more than ready to take this man by force,

But not by deception. He is just one man, with one foot.

How could he hope to ever defeat so many of us?

But I was sent to serve alongside you, and I fear

Being called a traitor. My lord, I would rather

Do right and fail than do wrong to win.”

Neoptolemus says this to Odysseus in response to Odysseus telling him the plan. It shows Neoptolemus’ honor, as he does not want to be deceitful as Odysseus is asking of him. It also shows the inner conflict that will mark Neoptolemus through much of the play, as while he does not want to act immorally, he also feels a sense of duty to the Greek army and his mission to serve Odysseus.

“Odysseus: As I said, he will be taken only by deception.

Neoptolemus: Don’t you think it shameful to lie?

Odysseus: Not if the lie brings deliverance.

Neoptolemus: How can such a liar ever show his face?

Odysseus: Never hide when there’s profit to be gained.

Neoptolemus: How do I profit if he comes to Troy?

Odysseus: Troy can only be taken with his bow.

Neoptolemus: But you said I would take Troy, didn’t you?

Odysseus: Neither you without the bow, nor the bow without you.

Neoptolemus: Then if that’s the way it’s to be, I should hunt him down.”

Odysseus: Do this and you could gain two rewards.

Neoptolemus: What are they? Show me how I can accept this task.

Odysseus: You would be called shrewd and courageous.

Neoptolemus: Then come what may, I’ll put my shame aside and do it.”

Odysseus and Neoptolemus have this exchange as Odysseus persuades Neoptolemus to go along with his trickery to get Philoctetes’ bow. It is important to the plot, as it shows Neoptolemus ultimately agreeing to be deceitful. It also shows that while Neoptolemus is driven by a sense of morality, he is also driven by a desire for personal glory and gain, as Odysseus ultimately convinces Neoptolemus by telling him that his trickery will ultimately result in his personal victory at Troy and being known as shrewd and courageous.

“I feel sorry for him. To think

He’s had no one to care for him;

He’s never seen a friendly face—

Alone, always along,

Ravaged by a foul disease,

Adrift at meeting his needs. […]

This man was born nobility,

From a house second to none.

Now he has lost everything,

Alone without a friend in the world,

Living among beasts in the wilds—

Miserable, hungry, and desperate,

Suffering incurable, endless agony.”

The chorus sings this in their Parados, or entry-song, as they arrive onstage to help Neoptolemus. It emphasizes the downtrodden state that Philoctetes is in and suggests his past, in which he was born to nobility. It also shows the sympathy that the chorus feels toward Philoctetes, which will run throughout the play as they act as friends to him like Neoptolemus does, rather than openly oppose him like Odysseus.

“You must have heard of me. I am the one

Called “Master of the Bow of Heracles,”

The son of Poeas—Philoctetes!—

Whom the twin commanders and that Cephallenian

King shamefully discarded into desolation.

A fierce plague was eating away at me,

The vicious brand of a murderous serpent’s bit.

With that for company, son, they brought me here

And deserted me. The fleet put in on this coast

After leaving Chryse Island. At sea, all I could do

Was writhe in pain. We came ashore, and I found

Shelter in this cave. Finally I fell asleep, exhausted.

And they, they abandoned me, leaving next to nothing—

A few filthy rags and food not fit for a beggar!

May the gods one day send them the same fate! […]

A wise man would have no reason to sail here.

But what if someone had put in accidentally?

It can happen over the course of a lifetime.

These people, when they did come, my son,

Always expressed sympathy and, now and again

Moved to pity, would leave a bit of food or clothing.

But the one thing I always begged for was never given:

Safe passage home. No, I’ve been here ten years now,

Wasting away, suffering starvation and misery,

Feeding my flesh to this insatiable sickness.

This is what the sons of Atreus and Odysseus

Have inflicted on me. May the gods on Olympus

One day make them suffer for what they did!”

Philoctetes delivers this speech after first meeting Neoptolemus, as Neoptolemus pretends not to know who he is. It establishes Philoctetes’ background, having been deserted on the island and remained there for 10 years. It shows his struggle and his rage toward Odysseus and the other Greeks, which will come to color his decision not to go to Troy and his point of view throughout the play.

“They came in a ship bedecked with garlands,

Godlike Odysseus and Phoenix, my father’s mentor.

They told me, and who knows whether it’s true or false,

Since the death of my father, it had been ordained

That towering Troy would fall only to me. […]

Eventually I went to the sons of Atreus,

Naturally in friendship, and claimed

My father’s arms and possessions.

But what an insolent answer they gave me:

‘Offspring of Achilles, you may have all

Of your father’s property except his arms.

Another man owns them now—Laertes’ son.’

Tears welled, stinging my eyes, and I leapt up

In a passionate rage, smarting with anger and said,

‘Violators! How dare you award my arms

To another man without my consent!’ […]

Abused and insulted, I am sailing for home

Deprived of what is rightfully mine

By that bastard son of bastards, Odysseus.

I hold the commanders accountable.

An army is like a city and reflects its leaders;

If its people behave immorally,

They have learned to by example.

I have told you the whole story. May the gods

Love an enemy of Atreus’ sons as much as I do!”

Neoptolemus delivers this speech after meeting Philoctetes to introduce himself and establish trust with Philoctetes through their shared hatred of Odysseus and the Greek army. It clearly shows Neoptolemus fulfilling Odysseus’ plan and tricking Philoctetes with lies. Neoptolemus is not going back home, as he tells Philoctetes, and his story of Odysseus claiming his father’s armor is also untrue: In actuality, Odysseus gave the armor to Neoptolemus willingly.

“Neoptolemus: Son of an Oetean father, from now on

I will take care to view Troy

And the sons of Atreus only from afar.

When corruption overpowers virtue

And honor is stifled, letting duplicity rule,

I will never offer men my loyalty.

No, rocky Skyros will do for me.

I’ll be quite content to stay at home.

So, to my ship. […]

Philoctetes: I beg you as a suppliant, do not leave me alone,

Forsaken, living in the utter misery

You have seen and heard for yourself.

Take me with you! It is repulsive,

I know it, to have to carry such a cargo,

But steel yourself to it, as befits your family.

Shun disgrace and find glory in honor.”

Neoptolemus and Philoctetes have this exchange as they continue to bond over their experiences with the Greeks and Neoptolemus deceives Philoctetes to gain his trust. It shows an important part of Odysseus’ plan taking place, as Philoctetes becomes willing to get on a ship with Neoptolemus (not knowing then that it would carry him to Troy, rather than home). Neoptolemus is being wholly deceptive here, suggesting that he will not go back to war and falsely casting aspersions on men who are duplicitous, when ultimately, in this moment, he is the duplicitous one. It also shows Philoctetes’ sense of self-pity, as he refers to having to carry him onboard the ship as “repulsive.” 

“There was a Trojan prophet, a royal son of Priam,

Who went by the name of Helenus.

Cunning Odysseus, who it is said is brazen

And shameless, captured him in the night

And brought him back in chains, publicly

Exhibiting his fine prize to the Greeks.

Helenus then foretold all he was asked and said

They would never take his city unless Philoctetes

Could be persuaded to leave his island and come to Troy.

When Odysseus heard the prophet say this,

He instantly promised to fetch this man

And bring him back to the Greeks.

He thought it most likely that he would be willing

To come, but if he refused, then he would use force.

He said they could have his head if he failed.”

The trader (a sentry disguised and sent by Odysseus) tells this to Philoctetes after warning him that Odysseus was sailing to Lemnos in search of him. It outlines the prophecy that has served as the catalyst for the play’s action and will continue to drive it forward, which suggests that the Greek army needs Philoctetes in order to win at Troy, and marks the first time that Philoctetes hears of the prophecy.

“Isn’t it amazing, my lad, that the son of Laertes

Could possibly hope to soften me with words, lead me

To his ship, and deliver me into the midst of the Greeks!

I would rather listen to my most lethal enemy,

The snake that crippled me, than to him!”

Philoctetes says this to Neoptolemus after he learns about the prophecy and Odysseus trying to persuade him to go to Troy. It shows Philoctetes’ refusal to follow the prophecy and listen to Odysseus, which will drive much of the subsequent action, and his hatred for Odysseus. It suggests Philoctetes’ sense of self-determination and valuing himself ahead of the collective as well, as he is unwilling to follow the prophecy that has been laid out for him and is uninterested in helping Greece earn a military victory, if it means acquiescing to one of his biggest enemies.

“Neoptolemus: I want to take it—I really do—but I feel I should

Be cautious. Is it allowed? If not, I will relent.

Philoctetes: You speak respectfully, my son. Yes, it is allowed.

You have opened my eyes to the light of life,

To see the land of Oeta, my old father, my friends.

You have lifted me from beneath the feet

Of my enemies and placed me beyond their grasp.

Don’t worry, the bow will be yours to hold

And then hand back to the hand that gave it.

You’ll be able to boast; because of your compassion,

You were the only other mortal to hold this bow,

And I had it because I also performed a kindness.

Neoptolemus: I am fortunate to know you and earn your friendship.

One who knows how to give and take a kindness

Will always gain a priceless friend.”

Neoptolemus and Philoctetes have this exchange over Philoctetes’ bow, as Neoptolemus asks if he can hold it. Philoctetes’ willingness to give Neoptolemus his bow shows that Neoptolemus’ trickery has paid off, as he has officially earned Philoctetes’ trust and been declared a friend. It also illustrates the play’s major theme of friendship—even when it is based on deception.

“O my son, I’m finished! I can’t hide my torment

From you…ATATAI! It’s shooting through me!

Shooting through me! NO! Not again! NO!

I’m finished, my boy; it’s eating away at me! PAPAI!

APAPPAPAI! PAPAPPAPAPPAPAPPAPAI!

By all the gods, if you are carrying a sword, son,

Grab it and strike it right at my heel!

Hack it off, clean through—don’t worry about me!

Do it quickly, son, quickly!”

Philoctetes says this to Neoptolemus in a bout of pain and agony. It illustrates Philoctetes’ pain and the suffering that he’s in from his foot wound, which is referenced throughout the play.

“Philoctetes: NO! No, don’t touch me. But take my bow:

You wanted to hold it; now keep it safe for me

Just until the pain subsides.

If I slip into sleep, it slows the sickness.

Please let me rest quietly, but swear to me:

If those men should come here looking for me,

By all the gods, you swear to me that for any

Reason whatsoever, willingly or unwillingly,

You will never ever give them my bow.

If you do, you will not only condemn yourself,

But you will condemn me—your suppliant.

Neoptolemus: Don’t worry. No one else but you and I

Will hold this bow. Give it to me in good faith.”

Philoctetes and Neoptolemus have this exchange while Philoctetes’ foot wound is flaring up and he’s suffering from pain. Philoctetes’ act of giving Neoptolemus the bow is pivotal to the plot, and Neoptolemus’ promise that no one else will hold the bow foreshadows his ultimate betrayal when he refuses to give the bow back, and Odysseus takes it.

“Chorus: Young man, where do you stand?

What to think? How to take the next step?

He sleeps; our time is now.

What are we waiting for?

Opportunity is everything,

And victories are made in a moment.

Neoptolemus: Though he hears nothing, I can see that the bow

Is worthless if we sail away without him.

God willing he will also be crowned with the victory.

The shame would be on us if we succeeded through treachery.”

The chorus and Neoptolemus have this exchange after Philoctetes gives Neoptolemus his bow and falls asleep. It shows how the chorus, despite their sympathy for Philoctetes, is ultimately aligned with Odysseus and the goal for Philoctetes to go to Troy. Neoptolemus’ refusal to go, however, suggests his inner sense of honor and foreshadows his ultimate decision to give back the bow, rather than take it and leave Lemnos without Philoctetes.

“Neoptolemus: I can’t hide it: You are to sail to Troy,

To the Greeks, as an instrument to the sons of Atreus.

Philoctetes: No, don’t say that!

Neoptolemus: Don’t bemoan until you learn…

Philoctetes: Learn what? What are you trying to do to me?

Neoptolemus: Rescue you from this misery and then together

We will lay waste to the plains of Troy.

Philoctetes: So this is the truth. This is what you want.

Neoptolemus: We are compelled by necessity. Don’t be angry.”

Neoptolemus says this to Philoctetes after he wakes up, having already given Neoptolemus his bow. It shows Neoptolemus’ inner sense of morality, as his deception of Philoctetes has tormented him until he could not go along with it any longer. It also shows his belief in the prophecy and the need for military victory, as he tells Philoctetes they are “compelled by necessity” to go to Troy.

“Philoctetes: I am finished! Betrayed! You stranger!

What have you done? Give me back my bow!

Neoptolemus: I cannot. It is my duty and in my interest

To obey the orders of my commanders.

Philoctetes: Firebrand! Demon! Conniving monster!

What have you done to me?

You have deceived me. Are you not ashamed

To look at me? Bastard! I was your suppliant—

I pleaded for your help. By stealing my bow,

You take away my means to survive.

Give it back, I beg you. Give it back,

I beseech you. Boy, by the gods of your ancestors,

Do not rob me of my life!”

Philoctetes and Neoptolemus have this exchange after Neoptolemus reveals his deception to Philoctetes. It illustrates Neoptolemus’ betrayal of Philoctetes through his deception, and how Neoptolemus and Philoctetes’ friendship has been built on a false foundation, as Neoptolemus is ultimately more beholden and loyal to his commanders and the Greek army than he is to Philoctetes. Philoctetes’ rage over losing his bow also shows how the bow, in addition to being the key to the Greek army’s success, represents Philoctetes’ survival, at is the only way that he, in his disabled and pained state, has been able to survive in Lemnos on his own.

“Odysseus: Know that it is Zeus who reigns here.

Zeus decides all. I am merely his servant.

Philoctetes: Detestable man, there is no end to your contrivances—

Hiding behind heaven, making the gods out to be liars!

Odysseus: This was decreed—you must follow this path.

Philoctetes: No, I say, no!

Odysseus: And I say yes—you have no choice”

Odysseus and Philoctetes have this exchange when Odysseus reveals himself to Philoctetes after Neoptolemus refuses to give back the bow. It shows the essential differences between the two men in their worldviews: Odysseus is beholden to the gods and fate, while Philoctetes, though he seems to value the gods, is determined to fight against the prophecy when it involves having to give in to his enemy.

“If only my hands could draw my beloved bow—

But they have fallen prey to Odysseus.

You, with your sick, unfeeling mind

Creep in again and snare me in your trap.

You hid behind this boy, who I never knew,

Far too good for you, but well worthy of me.

His only thought was to obey his orders;

Now he agonizes over his mistake

And the wrong he’s done to me.

Your sly-eyed sordid soul has schooled

Him in the evil arts of espionage,

Against his will and his very nature.

Now you want to tie me up and take me

Away from the coast where you condemned me

To a living death—no friend, no home, no hope.

Oh!

Why won’t you die? I have prayed for your death

So many times, but I get nothing good from the gods.”

Philoctetes delivers this speech after Odysseus’ men stop him from killing himself in order to avoid the prophecy. It shows Philoctetes’ continued refusal to give into the prophecy, and his ongoing rage toward and grudge against the men who deserted him 10 years ago. His statements about Neoptolemus also suggest Neoptolemus’ essential goodness and sense of morality—or, at least, Philoctetes’ belief in it—as even after Neoptolemus betrays him and refuses to give the bow back, he still sees Neoptolemus’ trickery as having been driven by Odysseus, rather than coming from Neoptolemus himself and some actual willingness to act deceitfully.

“I am whatever kind of man I have to be.

As for deciding matters of morality,

There is no man more virtuous.

It is in my nature to always want to win—

Except, in your case, I will gladly give way.

Take your hands off him and let him go.

He can stay here; we’ve no more need of him

Now that we have his bow in our possession.”

Odysseus says this to Philoctetes after Philoctetes refuses to go with him to Troy. It shows how little Odysseus actually cares for Philoctetes and expresses no guilt for how he has treated him in the past, given that he does not apologize for his actions and is fully prepared to leave him alone on Lemnos once again. It also illustrates Odysseus’ worldview, as his actions are driven only by a desire for victory and success, no matter the cost.

“It was you. You cursed yourself,

You poor, deluded man;

This fate is not forced on you

Or beyond the bounds of your control.

You had your chance

To make the prudent choice.

There was a better way;

You had to choose the worse.”

The chorus says this to Philoctetes as Odysseus and Neoptolemus prepare to leave with the bow and without Philoctetes, and as Philoctetes laments his fate. It shows once again how the chorus’ allegiances are with the Greek army and not with Philoctetes, as well as emphasizes the importance of following what the gods have ordained, rather than fighting fate. It offers a different perspective to Philoctetes’ overriding belief that he’s a victim of the Greek army, suggesting that he’s actually bringing pain upon himself by refusing to give into the men who once wronged him when that’s what fate dictates.

“Neoptolemus: No, not for the son of Poeas… […]

…Whose bow I stole and will return…

Odysseus: Zeus! What are you saying—you’re giving it back?

Neoptolemus: Yes, I had no right to take it. I acted shamefully.” […]

Odysseus: How is it just to surrender what you gained

By following my strategy?

Neoptolemus: I was wrong. I acted shamefully,

And now I must try to set things right.

Odysseus: Are you not afraid of what the Greek army will do?

Neoptolemus: I have nothing to fear with justice at my side.”

Neoptolemus and Odysseus have this exchange as Neoptolemus returns to the cave to give back the bow. It depicts a pivotal part of the plot—Neoptolemus’ decision to give back the bow—and shows how his moral compass has ultimately won out over his willingness to earn victory at Troy through trickery and deceit. It also shows his allegiance now to the individual—his own morals, as well as Philoctetes—over the Greek army, and Odysseus’ diametrically opposed point of view.

“Neoptolemus: Put an end to your curses

And take your bow from my open hand. (Neoptolemus offers Philoctetes the bow.)

Philoctetes: This is another trick.

Neoptolemus: No, I swear it, by the highest power of sacred Zeus.

Philoctetes: Oh, welcome, welcome words…if they’re true.

Neoptolemus: My actions will prove my words. Hold out your hand

And take possession of your bow.”

Neoptolemus and Philoctetes have this exchange as Neoptolemus returns to the cave and decides to give Philoctetes back his bow. Unlike his past actions, this is not a deceptive act by Neoptolemus, instead showing his inner sense of morality, and shows him now earning Philoctetes’ trust honestly, rather than through deceit.

“Philoctetes: You have shown your true nature, my boy,

What you’re made of. Sisyphus was not your father;

You are the son of Achilles. What a glorious

Life he led, famous still, even in death.

Neoptolemus: Thank you for speaking so well of my father and me,

But hear what I have to say: It’s for your own good.

Mortals must accept whatever the gods give;

But when they steep themselves in self-inflicted misery,

As you do, no one will ever feel remorse or pity. […]

As long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west,

You will never be free of this searing pain

Unless you go willingly to the plain of Troy

To see the sons of Asclepius, our allies,

Who will treat you and administer a cure.

Then together we will take this bow

And tear down Troy. […]

Now you know, so be generous and give way.

The rewards will only be of benefit to you;

You’ll be hailed as the bravest of all the Greeks

Once the healing hands have cured you

And you have won unparalleled fame at Troy,

The city that causes endless grief. […]

Philoctetes: I wonder then about your motives:

You should not be going back to Troy;

You should be keeping me from going.

It was an outrage that they prevented

You from inheriting your father’s arms!

Now you fight at their side and want me to do the same?”

Neoptolemus and Philoctetes have this exchange after Neoptolemus returns the bow and Odysseus flees when Philoctetes threatens him, pointing his bow in his direction. It emphasizes Neoptolemus’ inner morality and restores Philoctetes’ trust in Neoptolemus. However, Neoptolemus’ speech asserts that he still believes in the prophecy and the importance of fate and following the gods—he is just now attempting to persuade through honesty and appealing to Philoctetes’ desire to no longer be in pain, rather than through deception. Philoctetes’ response emphasizes his continued unwillingness to follow his fate and give into his enemy even when it could benefit him personally, as well as his belief that Neoptolemus, too, should prioritize his grudges and self-interest over acting in support of the Greek army. His assertion that Neoptolemus should not go back to Troy when the army has stolen his father’s armor—which isn’t true—also shows how Neoptolemus is still not being honest with Philoctetes, even after he’s revealed the plan to bring him to Troy.

“Philoctetes: Let me suffer what I need to suffer! But you,

You promised. You gave me your hand on it,

My son. You said you’d take me home. Fulfill your oath.

Now, no more delays or talk of Troy.

I’ve had my fill of misery and grief.

Neoptolemus: If that is what you want, we will go.”

Philoctetes and Neoptolemus have this exchange as they continue to argue over whether Philoctetes should go to Troy. It shows Philoctetes’ ultimate refusal to accept his fate and give into his enemies. Neoptolemus’ response seems to show his morality and allegiance to Philoctetes, as he is willing to bring him home rather than go to Troy. His response is also slightly ambiguous in never explicitly saying that they’ll go home, leaving open the possibility that Neoptolemus is once again tricking Philoctetes and intends to still bring him to Troy.