Philoctetes

“The peninsula of sea-washed Lemnos,

Deserted: no one sets foot here.

Neoptolemus, true-bred son of Achilles,

Your father was the best of the Greeks.

It was here I marooned the Malian,

The son of Poeas, under orders.

His wounded foot was weeping disease,

And no libation nor sacrifice

Could be made in peace while he cursed

The fleet with his horrendous wailing,

Constantly screaming and shouting.

I shouldn’t speak about such things; this is no

Time for talk. If he finds out I’m here, my plan

To take him by surprise will be wasted.”

Odysseus says this to Neoptolemus when they first arrive on Lemnos. It introduces Odysseus’ history with Philoctetes, as he was the one to maroon him on Lemnos, as well as Philoctetes’ wound, and suggests Philoctetes’ hatred for Odysseus. It also introduces Neoptolemus as Achilles’ son and establishes Achilles’ honorable reputation, which will be referenced throughout the play.

“You must maneuver the mind

Of Philoctetes and deceive him with beguiling words.

When he asks who you are and where you come from,

Tell him you’re the son of Achilles—that should never be

Hidden—

But say you are heading home and you have abandoned

The Greek war fleet, bearing a great grudge.

Say they implored you to leave home and join them

As the only man who could bring down Troy,

But they did not regard you worthy of Achilles’ arms

When you claimed them by true right of birth; instead

They awarded them to Odysseus. Say what you will,

As bad as bad can be, the worst things imaginable;

It will do me no harm. But if you fail in this task,

You will inflict terrible pain on your fellow Greeks.

If you cannot capture his blow,

You will never bring down Troy.

You know I could never speak to him as you can;

He will trust you, and you will stay safe. […]

No, this must be expertly contrived so you

Can take his unassailable weapon by stealth.

Son, I know that it’s not in your nature

To consider or articulate such cunning,

But victory is sweet, and he who dares, wins.”

Odysseus says this to Neoptolemus after they see Philoctetes’ cave and realize he must not be far away. It establishes the deceitful plan that will dominate the rest of the play, as well as the prophecy that guides Odysseus and Neoptolemus’ actions. It also establishes Neoptolemus as an honorable character, as Odysseus takes pains to say he knows this deception is not in his nature.

“When words are too painful to hear, son of Laertes,

Then I hate to have to put them into action.

And it is not in my nature to practice treachery,

Nor, so I am told, was it my father’s.

I am more than ready to take this man by force,

But not by deception. He is just one man, with one foot.

How could he hope to ever defeat so many of us?

But I was sent to serve alongside you, and I fear

Being called a traitor. My lord, I would rather

Do right and fail than do wrong to win.”

Neoptolemus says this to Odysseus in response to Odysseus telling him the plan. It shows Neoptolemus’ honor, as he does not want to be deceitful as Odysseus is asking of him. It also shows the inner conflict that will mark Neoptolemus through much of the play, as while he does not want to act immorally, he also feels a sense of duty to the Greek army and his mission to serve Odysseus.