"Philoktetes" by Sophocles is a Greek tragedy that presents the story of Philoktetes, a hero left on an empty island because of a painful, divine wound. The play looks at ideas of betrayal, faithfulness, and moral choices as Odysseus and Neoptolemos try to get Philoktetes to help them win the Trojan War. Odysseus uses Neoptolemos to trick Philoktetes and get his powerful bow, which they need to win the war. Neoptolemos struggles with the morality of tricking Philoktetes, especially since the Greeks already mistreated him. As the story goes on, Neoptolemos changes his perspective and chooses to stand up for what is right, even if it means going against Odysseus. Finally, the ghost of Herakles appears and says that Philoktetes will be healed and become famous if he rejoins the battle against Troy, offering him an end to his pain and suffering as well as a second chance.
Philoktetes
By Sophocles
Marooned and wounded, a hero faces a moral battle when visited by those seeking his powerful weapon to win a war, forcing him to confront betrayal and the possibility of redemption.
Summary
About the AuthorSophocles was an ancient Greek tragedian, known as one of three from whom at least one play has survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those of Aeschylus; and earlier than, or contemporary with, those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote more than 120 plays, but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. For almost fifty years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of the city-state of Athens which took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in thirty competitions, won twenty-four, and was never judged lower than second place. Aeschylus won thirteen competitions, and was sometimes defeated by Sophocles; Euripides won four.
Sophocles was an ancient Greek tragedian, known as one of three from whom at least one play has survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those of Aeschylus; and earlier than, or contemporary with, those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote more than 120 plays, but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. For almost fifty years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of the city-state of Athens which took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in thirty competitions, won twenty-four, and was never judged lower than second place. Aeschylus won thirteen competitions, and was sometimes defeated by Sophocles; Euripides won four.
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