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SophoclesPhiloctetes
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Character Analysis
Neoptolemus
Neoptolemus is a Grecian warrior and the son of Achilles, a famous warrior who is described by Odysseus as “the best of the Greeks” (3). Like his father, Neoptolemus is known to be honorable; Odysseus tells him when he lays out their deception of Philoctetes that he “know[s] it’s not in [Neoptolemus’] nature/ To consider or articulate such cunning” (7). The play tests Neoptolemus’ sense of honor, as he successfully lies to Philoctetes and gains possession of his bow, acting deceitfully for much of the play. However, Neoptolemus’ sense of honor and morality seemingly wins out in the end, as he goes back to Philoctetes and returns his bow, saying that he is disturbed by how he “cheated a man using trickery and deceit” (58): “You have shown your true nature, my boy,/ […] You are the son of Achilles” (64), Philoctetes tells Neoptolemus when he returns the bow.
While Neoptolemus is driven by a sense of morality and honor, however, he is also shown to value glory and the prospect of military victory. Neoptolemus ultimately agrees to go along with Odysseus’ plan when he tells Neoptolemus that deceiving Philoctetes is necessary for Neoptolemus to secure a military victory at Troy, as has been prophesied, and that it will lead to him being called “shrewd and courageous” (9). As the textual notes point out at the end of the play, Neoptolemus was already known to Greek audiences of the time for his ruthless acts of war events at Troy after the play takes place, as he “savagely” killed Priam, the King of Troy, while he was at the altar of Zeus: “Images of Neoptolemus committing acts of violent sacrilege at Troy were common and predate Sophocles’ play” (70), a footnote to Peter Meineck’s translation notes. This again calls into whether Neoptolemus is as honorable as the text says, as does the ambiguity over whether Neoptolemus actually intends to bring Philoctetes to Troy at the end of the play, or rather intends to bring him to Troy under false pretenses.
Philoctetes
Philoctetes is a Greek warrior and friend of the demigod Heracles, who was given his bow after being the only man willing to light Heracles’ funeral pyre. While fighting in the Greek army, Philoctetes suffered a serpent bite that wounded his foot and caused agonizing pain. This ultimately led Odysseus and the other warriors to maroon Philoctetes on the island of Lemnos, where he’s stayed for the past 10 years—lonely, frequently in pain, and lamenting his fate: “I’ve been here ten years now,/ Wasting away, suffering starvation and misery,/ Feeding my flesh to this insatiable sickness” (17), he tells Neoptolemus.
Philoctetes is also defined by his anger and resentment toward Odysseus and the other Greeks who deserted him on Lemnos. When asked to now help them at Troy, Philoctetes values his own individual experience and hurt more than the good of the group or the fate of the gods, refusing to follow the prophecy saying that he will bring about Greece’s military victory—until Heracles convinces him otherwise: “My eyes have witnessed all my sufferings,/ But how could they bear to see/ The sons of Atreus or foul Odysseus,/ The men who tried to destroy me?” (66), Philoctetes says when Neoptolemus tries to convince him to go to Troy. In the view of Neoptolemus and the chorus, this grudge against his one-time enemies is causing him to act against his own self-interest and causing his own victimhood, as he would personally benefit from following the prophecy. According to Neoptolemus, his rage and isolation has made Philoctetes stubborn and steeped in “self-inflicted misery” (64): “Your wildness has made you immovable;/ You won’t take advice” (64), Neoptolemus tells him.
Odysseus
Odysseus is a famous Greek warrior who previously played a key role in marooning Philoctetes on the island of Lemnos. Unlike Neoptolemus, he is not driven by a sense of morality in his actions, and does not object at all to using treachery or deceit to get his way. When Neoptolemus asks if he thinks it’s shameful to lie, Odysseus responds, “Not if it brings deliverance” (8). For Odysseus, victory and glory are paramount; he tells Philoctetes, “I am whatever kind of man I have to be […] It is in my nature to always want to win” (51). He is also driven by a sense of larger purpose, prioritizing the collective good of Greece and his army over individual morality, and is beholden to the gods, telling Philoctetes, “Zeus decides all. I am merely his servant” (49).
Chorus
The chorus of Grecian warriors accompanies Odysseus and Neoptolemus in their quest to persuade Philoctetes: “How best can we serve you?” (10), they ask Neoptolemus during their entry-song. The chorus frequently expresses sympathy for Philoctetes and laments his misfortunes, and they befriend him as Neoptolemus does: “Don’t throw away my friendship” (54), the chorus tells Philoctetes as they talk about his fate. Yet the chorus is also dedicated to Odysseus’ mission; they urge Neoptolemus to leave with Philoctetes’ bow when Philoctetes falls asleep, and they chide Philoctetes for refusing to go to Troy: “You cursed yourself […]/ This fate is not forced on you/ […] You had your chance/ To make the prudent choice” (53).
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