Sophocles: Philoctetes

by Hanna Roisman

Like other classical Greek tragedies, Sophocles' Philoctetes is an extraordinarily timely and timeless play. Dramatising the efforts of people who had wronged him to bring the play's hero, Philoctetes, to join the Greek forces in their war against Troy, it traces the moral and emotional development of the young Neoptolemos as he struggles between the values of honesty and deceit, honour and expedience. This is an introduction to the play for students and lay readers. The well focused chapters on Greek theatre and performance, the mythical background, and the literary, intellectual, and political context in which the play was written and first performed illuminate the issues with which the play grapples. Its persuasive analyses of the characters and plot shed light on the play's complexities and ambiguities. All in all, the book makes Sophocles' great play more accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful to modern readers who want to know more about the world of classical Greek tragedy.

Genres: Classics, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published August 25, 2005

Reviews

[Laurent Dv]

Tragédie où Néoptolème le fils d'Achille trame un complot avec Ulysse pour voler l'arc d'Achille entre les mains de Philoctète, ancien compagnon d'Héraclès. Arc essentiel pour une victoire contre Troie. Le coup consiste pour Néoptolème à sympathiser avec Philoctète, abandonné des Grecs pour sa maladie et ses cris en le ramenant sur son bateau chez sa patrie et gagnant sa confiance, et ainsi son arc. Il réussit son coup mais pris par les remords, il revient vers sa victime pour lui rendre le bien qu'il vient de voler au grand daim d'Ulysse, qui s'enfuit pour sauver sa peau, furieux mais effrayé. Enfin, il parvient à convaincre Néoptolème à se joindre à l'armée grecque grâce à Héraclès.

[Erik Rostad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful guide to Philoctetes, one of my favorite tragedy plays.

[Mehdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic Greek tragedy, with the Deus Ex Machina and all...Not as good as Electra or Oedipus Rex

[Annabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I thought. I have a crush on neoptolemus? Moral king! Odysseus is a little bitch eww.