THEMES, MOTIFS, & SYMBOLS
Themes:
Placing Duty Before Desire
Because he is the son of Achilles, there are a lot of expectations put on Neoptolemus. He must protect his honor and reputation while simultaneously obeying the orders of his superior Odysseus and pursuing a course that is thought best for his country. These two unique obligations prove to be quite conflicts of interest, leaving the young Neoptolemus struggling to decide where his true allegiance lies. His actions ultimately reveal Sophocles' emphasis on duty and obligation as he is compelled by Hercules to take Philoctetes to Troy despite his desire to keep his promise to Philoctetes.
The Role of Fate
The appearance of Hercules and the effect of his speech on the outcome of the story also highlight the role that fate plays in this story. Through this convenient intervention, it becomes apparent that what matters is not Philoctetes' wishes to return home or Neoptolemus' desire to protect his integrity by upholding his promise, but the course that results in the greatest good to everyone. Philoctetes has an obligation to the Greeks as a result of the prophecy made about him, and Neoptolemus has an obligation to do as he is instructed and bring Philoctetes to Troy. The fact that Philoctetes' hatred of Odysseus and his grudge for being left at Lemnos would have otherwise prevented the fulfillment of this obligation, were it not for Hercules' intervention, also lends importance to the obligation of controlling one's personal feelings and emotions.
Motifs:
Decisions
Throughout the entire story, Neoptolemus is confronted with difficult choices that test his integrity and morality. These decisions serve a practical purpose as they propel the action of the story forward and also serve a symbolic purpose in the way they lead to the growth and development of Neoptolemus. Philoctetes, too, is faced with a big decision: continue nursing his grudge against the Greeks or be cured of his illness and aid the Greeks in victory? With both characters, the aspect of decision-making is important because it develops the dichotomy between the best interest of the individual and the best interest of society.
Disability
Philoctetes is defined by his suffering. He has been cast out of society because of his disability and is unable to function effectively in isolation. Once a renown archer, he barely seems able to procure food for himself, despite his skill and his possession of the special bow of Hercules. Somehow this same man holds the key to victory over the Trojans. His unhealable wound can also be seen as a symbol for his unhealable pride, which was damaged from his desertion, resulting in a deep-rooted bitterness. Were it not for his disability, either physical or emotional, Philoctetes would not have been left at Lemnos or would not have remained at Lemnos for so long and perhaps could have instead brought about a quicker end to the war.
Symbols:
The Bow of Hercules
The weapon is a symbol of power. While possessed by Philoctetes, the promise of its power drew Odysseus to return to Lemnos. Because its arrows never miss, possession of the bow prevents anyone from forcibly taking Philoctetes, giving him a certain degree of power over Odysseus and his will. When the bow winds up in Neoptolemus' hands, however, Philoctetes is at his mercy and begs for the bow back. Philoctetes is then faced with the important decision of returning the bow or obeying Odysseus' commands. Although he seems for a moment to be the one in control, the appearance of Hercules at the end, and his final pronouncement that they must all go to Troy shows that it is the true owner of the bow that actually holds the power in this story.
The Snake
As is true with most literature, the snake represents a kind of evil. Philoctetes first encountered it by doing something he should not have been doing and the snake's bite was a constant source of agony for Philoctetes and essentially the catalyst for this entire tale. The snake wound is also representative of Philoctetes' fractured relationship with society. Once bitten by the snake, he is cast out of his community and sent to live on the island in isolation. Once Hercules compels Philoctetes to rejoin his community, he is promised to be taken somewhere for his wound to be healed.
Placing Duty Before Desire
Because he is the son of Achilles, there are a lot of expectations put on Neoptolemus. He must protect his honor and reputation while simultaneously obeying the orders of his superior Odysseus and pursuing a course that is thought best for his country. These two unique obligations prove to be quite conflicts of interest, leaving the young Neoptolemus struggling to decide where his true allegiance lies. His actions ultimately reveal Sophocles' emphasis on duty and obligation as he is compelled by Hercules to take Philoctetes to Troy despite his desire to keep his promise to Philoctetes.
The Role of Fate
The appearance of Hercules and the effect of his speech on the outcome of the story also highlight the role that fate plays in this story. Through this convenient intervention, it becomes apparent that what matters is not Philoctetes' wishes to return home or Neoptolemus' desire to protect his integrity by upholding his promise, but the course that results in the greatest good to everyone. Philoctetes has an obligation to the Greeks as a result of the prophecy made about him, and Neoptolemus has an obligation to do as he is instructed and bring Philoctetes to Troy. The fact that Philoctetes' hatred of Odysseus and his grudge for being left at Lemnos would have otherwise prevented the fulfillment of this obligation, were it not for Hercules' intervention, also lends importance to the obligation of controlling one's personal feelings and emotions.
Motifs:
Decisions
Throughout the entire story, Neoptolemus is confronted with difficult choices that test his integrity and morality. These decisions serve a practical purpose as they propel the action of the story forward and also serve a symbolic purpose in the way they lead to the growth and development of Neoptolemus. Philoctetes, too, is faced with a big decision: continue nursing his grudge against the Greeks or be cured of his illness and aid the Greeks in victory? With both characters, the aspect of decision-making is important because it develops the dichotomy between the best interest of the individual and the best interest of society.
Disability
Philoctetes is defined by his suffering. He has been cast out of society because of his disability and is unable to function effectively in isolation. Once a renown archer, he barely seems able to procure food for himself, despite his skill and his possession of the special bow of Hercules. Somehow this same man holds the key to victory over the Trojans. His unhealable wound can also be seen as a symbol for his unhealable pride, which was damaged from his desertion, resulting in a deep-rooted bitterness. Were it not for his disability, either physical or emotional, Philoctetes would not have been left at Lemnos or would not have remained at Lemnos for so long and perhaps could have instead brought about a quicker end to the war.
Symbols:
The Bow of Hercules
The weapon is a symbol of power. While possessed by Philoctetes, the promise of its power drew Odysseus to return to Lemnos. Because its arrows never miss, possession of the bow prevents anyone from forcibly taking Philoctetes, giving him a certain degree of power over Odysseus and his will. When the bow winds up in Neoptolemus' hands, however, Philoctetes is at his mercy and begs for the bow back. Philoctetes is then faced with the important decision of returning the bow or obeying Odysseus' commands. Although he seems for a moment to be the one in control, the appearance of Hercules at the end, and his final pronouncement that they must all go to Troy shows that it is the true owner of the bow that actually holds the power in this story.
The Snake
As is true with most literature, the snake represents a kind of evil. Philoctetes first encountered it by doing something he should not have been doing and the snake's bite was a constant source of agony for Philoctetes and essentially the catalyst for this entire tale. The snake wound is also representative of Philoctetes' fractured relationship with society. Once bitten by the snake, he is cast out of his community and sent to live on the island in isolation. Once Hercules compels Philoctetes to rejoin his community, he is promised to be taken somewhere for his wound to be healed.