Part IV: Lines 1101-1400
Summary:
While Philoctetes sleeps, Neoptolemus and his men debate what to do next. Philoctetes wakes up and is surprised to find Neoptolemus has not abandoned him. Overwhelmed by guilt, Neoptolemus breaks down and tells Philoctetes that they will actually be sailing to Troy. Philoctetes is outraged and demands his bow back, but Neoptolemus refuses.
Philoctetes laments his circumstances, crying out to the rocks and the trees in self-pity. Neoptolemus, exeriencing his own agony over deceiving Philoctetes, wishes he had never come to Lemnos. Just then, Odysseus arrives. Philoctetes immediately demands his bow but Odysseus says that Neoptolemus will never give it up; defenseless, Philoctetes must come with them willingly or be forced to comply. Odysseus justifies his actions by claiming that the event has been ordained by Zeus. Unwillingly to go with Odysseus, Philoctetes threatens to jump off a cliff instead, but two sailors grab him before he has the chance to jump.
While Philoctetes sleeps, Neoptolemus and his men debate what to do next. Philoctetes wakes up and is surprised to find Neoptolemus has not abandoned him. Overwhelmed by guilt, Neoptolemus breaks down and tells Philoctetes that they will actually be sailing to Troy. Philoctetes is outraged and demands his bow back, but Neoptolemus refuses.
Philoctetes laments his circumstances, crying out to the rocks and the trees in self-pity. Neoptolemus, exeriencing his own agony over deceiving Philoctetes, wishes he had never come to Lemnos. Just then, Odysseus arrives. Philoctetes immediately demands his bow but Odysseus says that Neoptolemus will never give it up; defenseless, Philoctetes must come with them willingly or be forced to comply. Odysseus justifies his actions by claiming that the event has been ordained by Zeus. Unwillingly to go with Odysseus, Philoctetes threatens to jump off a cliff instead, but two sailors grab him before he has the chance to jump.