Philocetes

A detailed Summary of Philocetes

Philoctetes, the bowman, is a most haunting and ambiguous character of Sophocles. He represents the pain which the world subjects all creative people to. Keeping his simplicity and innocence in a world of confusion and lies ends up being his greatest challenge. Through intense character portrayal, Sophocles presents the story of Philoctetes in a way so that the reader can empathizes and truly understand the pain of Philoctetes.

The story begins when Odysseus and Neoptolemus are on a beach on the island of Lemnos. They are looking for Philoctetes. Odysseus tells Neoptolemus to find Philoctetes, and tell him that he is the son of Achilles. Odysseus wants him to become friendly with Philoctetes and gain his trust. When he has accomplished that, he is to obtain Philoctetes= bow, so that they can take it back with them. After he receives his instructions from Odysseus, Neoptolemus sets off to find Philoctetes.

He meets up with him, and they start to talk. Philoctetes is overjoyed to find out that eh is talking to the son of A

The story of Philoctetes does not simply tell the story of one man, but of two, and the struggles which set them apart from the rest of the world. Neoptolemus struggles with an internal fight between personal advancement and moral obligation, while Philoctetes struggles to find his way home. The commonality of these struggles bring the two men together, and from this togetherness comes solution and blessings for both of them.

When Neoptolemus and Odysseus are on their way back to the ship and Neoptolemus decides to return to Philoctetes, the reader sees the side of Neoptolemus with a strong conscience. Even though it meant defying Odysseus, he put the life of Philoctetes above his own advancement. This seems to be the point in the story where the reader realizes the internal struggle of Neoptolemus. One side of him wants to help Odysseus, and their people, by bringing the bow back to fight, while the other side of him feels great compassion for Philoctetes, and his struggles. Being the son of Achilles comes with a great respon

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Approximate Word count = 700
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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