Philoctetes
Questions
- Has justice been done in this play?
- Who is responsible for Philoctetes' situation?
- Is Neoptolemus a good man?
- Should this play be regarded as a tragedy?
- Would it be fair to regard Philoctetus as the architect of his own fate?
- Was Odysseus justified in using trickery to obtain the bow from Philoctetus?
- Should Philoctetus have agreed to go with Odysseus and Neoptolemus?
- Why does Neoptolemus change his mind and return the bow to Philoctetus?
And why does he prevent Philoctetus from killing Odysseus?
- What kind of man is Odysseus?
- What role does prophecy play in this drama?
- Why do the Greeks believe the Trojan seer Helenus?
- How did Neoptolemus come by his wound? Was it his fault?
- Do the gods approve or disapprove of lying and trickery?
Would Achilles resort to lying and trickery to gain an advantage?
Quotations
Neoptolemus:
"Everything goes against the grain, once one acts against one's character." (139)
Philoctetus: "What will you not invent? Using gods as a screen and making them liars." (143)
Chorus: "It is you yourself, you poor fate-entangled man. Who have chosen this; from nobody else has come the power to enslave yourself, for when You could have been wise enough to choose the better, You chose the worse." (147)
Chorus: "It was not I that lent a treacherous hand against you. It was a destiny sent from heaven." (147)
Neo: "But telling lies is shameful, don't you think?" (114)
Odysseus: "Not if the lie brings salvation." (114)
Chorus: "He was under orders to do a service to all." (148)
Neo: "We mortals have to accept the fortunes the gods allot us but self-imposed ordeals, like yours, are inexcusable and deserve no pity." (154)
Philo: "How can I ignore this man's advice when he counsels me for my own good? ...once evil incubates in men's minds it spawns more evil." (156)
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