PLOT OVERVIEW
The play begins with the arrival of Odysseus, a Greek warrior, and Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, at the island of Lemnos where they are seeking out Philoctetes, the greatest of Greek archers. Their goal is to convince him to return with them to Troy because a seer has prophesied that only his bow and poisoned arrows, weapons that belonged to Hercules, can end the Trojan War.
Because Odysseus was responsible for Philoctetes being abandoned on the same island ten years earlier, he knows that Philoctetes will be angered by his presence. Odysseus explains that convincing Philoctetes to return with them will require some shameful behavior on Neoptolemus’ part. The plan is for Neoptolemus to tell Philoctetes a story about how he, too, was wronged by Odysseus, thereby gaining Philoctetes’ trust. With the promise of honor and glory before him, Neoptolemus consents to the plan.
After meeting and befriending Philoctetes, Neoptolemus is eventually entrusted with the bow of Hercules. Everything is going according to plan until Neoptolemus is overcome with guilt for his deceitful behavior. While debating whether to return the bow or not, Odysseus appears and a series of arguments ensue. Neoptolemus ultimately divulges the whole plot to Philoctetes, asking him to return to Troy with him where he can be healed of his infection and help the Greeks win the war. Although Philoctetes refuses, Hercules intervenes and they all end up returning to Troy together.
Because Odysseus was responsible for Philoctetes being abandoned on the same island ten years earlier, he knows that Philoctetes will be angered by his presence. Odysseus explains that convincing Philoctetes to return with them will require some shameful behavior on Neoptolemus’ part. The plan is for Neoptolemus to tell Philoctetes a story about how he, too, was wronged by Odysseus, thereby gaining Philoctetes’ trust. With the promise of honor and glory before him, Neoptolemus consents to the plan.
After meeting and befriending Philoctetes, Neoptolemus is eventually entrusted with the bow of Hercules. Everything is going according to plan until Neoptolemus is overcome with guilt for his deceitful behavior. While debating whether to return the bow or not, Odysseus appears and a series of arguments ensue. Neoptolemus ultimately divulges the whole plot to Philoctetes, asking him to return to Troy with him where he can be healed of his infection and help the Greeks win the war. Although Philoctetes refuses, Hercules intervenes and they all end up returning to Troy together.