Part V: Lines 1401-1880
Summary:
When Philoctetes refuses to accompany Odysseus to Troy, Odysseus orders his men to let him go and says he will use the bow himself. Odysseus and Neoptolemus leave for the ship, but Neoptolemus instructs his men to stay behind in case Philoctetes changes his mind about joining them. Philoctetes intially dismisses the men, but then he begs them not to leave. He asks them first to give him a sword, axe, or other weapon so he can "hack at [his] flesh and cut [his] bones apart." Philoctetes retires to his cave. Neoptolemus returns, saying he must fix all of the mistakes he has made. He says he will return the bow because it was taken in a shameful manner. Odysseus, who has also returned, declares that his fight is now with Neoptolemus rather than the Trojans and then heads back to the ship to inform his crew.
Neoptolemus, meanwhile, calls on Philoctetes in his cave and gives him back his bow. Odysseus emerges from a spot he has been hiding in nearby and threatens to bring Philoctetes to Troy by force. Philoctetes says he will shoot Odysseus with one of his poisonous arrows but Neoptolemus prevents him from shooting. He tells Philoctetes that fate, not Odysseus, is the reason for all of his suffering because he ventured too close to Chryse's secret sentinel where the snake keeps watch. Neoptolemus also tells Philoctetes that he will never find an end to his agony until he comes of his own free will to conquer Troy. Philoctetes nevertheless refuses to go, so Neoptolemus surprisingly agrees to take him home as he requested.
Moments later, Hercules appears and orders Philoctetes to listen. He says that Philoctetes' desity is to make his life something that men will honor. Hercules then tells Philoctetes that Neoptolemus will take him to Troy where his illness will be cured, he will be chosen as the finest man from all the warriors, and he will kill Paris, "the cause of all this wickedness." Philoctetes and Neoptolemus then agree to travel together to conquer Troy. Hercules declares that the wind is right from them to leave, so everyone departs.
When Philoctetes refuses to accompany Odysseus to Troy, Odysseus orders his men to let him go and says he will use the bow himself. Odysseus and Neoptolemus leave for the ship, but Neoptolemus instructs his men to stay behind in case Philoctetes changes his mind about joining them. Philoctetes intially dismisses the men, but then he begs them not to leave. He asks them first to give him a sword, axe, or other weapon so he can "hack at [his] flesh and cut [his] bones apart." Philoctetes retires to his cave. Neoptolemus returns, saying he must fix all of the mistakes he has made. He says he will return the bow because it was taken in a shameful manner. Odysseus, who has also returned, declares that his fight is now with Neoptolemus rather than the Trojans and then heads back to the ship to inform his crew.
Neoptolemus, meanwhile, calls on Philoctetes in his cave and gives him back his bow. Odysseus emerges from a spot he has been hiding in nearby and threatens to bring Philoctetes to Troy by force. Philoctetes says he will shoot Odysseus with one of his poisonous arrows but Neoptolemus prevents him from shooting. He tells Philoctetes that fate, not Odysseus, is the reason for all of his suffering because he ventured too close to Chryse's secret sentinel where the snake keeps watch. Neoptolemus also tells Philoctetes that he will never find an end to his agony until he comes of his own free will to conquer Troy. Philoctetes nevertheless refuses to go, so Neoptolemus surprisingly agrees to take him home as he requested.
Moments later, Hercules appears and orders Philoctetes to listen. He says that Philoctetes' desity is to make his life something that men will honor. Hercules then tells Philoctetes that Neoptolemus will take him to Troy where his illness will be cured, he will be chosen as the finest man from all the warriors, and he will kill Paris, "the cause of all this wickedness." Philoctetes and Neoptolemus then agree to travel together to conquer Troy. Hercules declares that the wind is right from them to leave, so everyone departs.