The Philoctetes of Sophocles

Name: The Philoctetes of Sophocles
Author: Sophocles

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About This Book

A Greek tragic play centers on a veteran abandoned on a desolate island after suffering a festering, odorous wound, whose removal from the army creates moral and strategic dilemmas. Leaders send a cunning envoy and a young, honorable warrior to retrieve him because he possesses indispensable arms needed for victory. The drama follows attempts at persuasion and deception, the younger man's crisis between obedience and integrity, and the wounded man's prolonged suffering and resentment. A chorus and a divine intervention heighten the ethical questions, and the resolution negotiates compassion, duty, and the harsh necessities imposed by war.

About the Author

Sophocles

Sophocles was an ancient Greek playwright, renowned for his contributions to the genre of tragedy. He is best known for his works that explore complex themes of fate, morality, and the human condition. Among his most famous plays are "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone," which remain pivotal in the study of literature and drama. Sophocles introduced innovations in theatrical performance, including the use of painted scenery and the addition of a third actor, which enhanced the dramatic possibilities of the stage. His works have had a lasting influence on Western literature and continue to be performed and studied for their profound insights into human nature.

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