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| Character | Neoptolemus | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Angry, Persuasive, Descriptive, Lamenting, Complaining, Reminiscing life story/Telling a story | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Ancient Greek | |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Neoptolemus tells Philoctetes why he hates Odysseus | |
| Location | 1/4 of play | |
Summary
In the background story of the play, during the Trojan war between Troy and Greece, the Greeks capture a Trojan seer who tells them they will need Philoctetes and Heracles' bow to win the war. When Heracles had died, in fact, Philoctetes had received his bow. Philoctetes is a Greek hero and soldier who, after being bitten by a snake, had been left on the deserted island of Lemnos by Odysseus. Odysseus now sails back to the island with Neoptolemus to try to convince Philoctetes to join the Trojan war, difficult task considering that Philoctetes now hates him.
In the beginning of the play Odysseus and Neoptolemus arrive on the island. Odysseus decides to hide and convinces Neoptolemus to tell Philoctetes that he hates Odysseus as well since he has his father's armor (Neoptolemus is Achilles' son and Odysseus had received his armor after his death).
In this scene we find Neoptolemus and Philoctetes. Neoptolemus pretends not to know who Philoctetes is and Philoctetes narrates his story and how he ended up on the island, abandoned by Odysseus after being bitten by a snake.
In this monologue Neoptolemus tricks Philoctetes by telling him why he hates Odysseus as well, that is because he took his father's armor after he was slain by Apollo. Even if he told Odysseus that the armor was his by right of birth, he refused to give it to him.
In the beginning of the play Odysseus and Neoptolemus arrive on the island. Odysseus decides to hide and convinces Neoptolemus to tell Philoctetes that he hates Odysseus as well since he has his father's armor (Neoptolemus is Achilles' son and Odysseus had received his armor after his death).
In this scene we find Neoptolemus and Philoctetes. Neoptolemus pretends not to know who Philoctetes is and Philoctetes narrates his story and how he ended up on the island, abandoned by Odysseus after being bitten by a snake.
In this monologue Neoptolemus tricks Philoctetes by telling him why he hates Odysseus as well, that is because he took his father's armor after he was slain by Apollo. Even if he told Odysseus that the armor was his by right of birth, he refused to give it to him.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| NEOPTOLEMUS Thus then it was. Soon as Achilles died, Phoenix, the guardian of his tender years, Instant sailed forth, and sought me out at Scyros; With him the wary chief Ulysses came. They told me then (or true or false I know not), My father dead, by me, and me alone Proud Troy must fall. I yielded to their prayers; I hoped to see at least the dear remains Of him whom living I had long in vain Wished to behold. Safe at Sigeum's port Soon we arrived. In crowds the numerous host Thronged to embrace me, called the gods to witness In me once more they saw their loved Achilles To life restored; but he, alas! was gone. I shed the duteous tear, then sought my friends Th' Atreidae friends I thought 'em!-claimed the arms Of my dead father, and what else remained His late possession: when- O cruel words! And wretched I to hear them- thus they answered: "Son of Achilles, thou in vain demandst Those arms already to Ulysses given; The rest be thine." I wept. "And is it thus," Indignant I replied, "ye dare to give My right away?" "Know, boy," Ulysses cried, "That right was mine. and therefore they bestowed The boon on me: me who preserved the arms, And him who bore them too." With anger fired At this proud speech, I threatened all that rage Could dictate to me if he not returned them. Stung with my words, yet calm, he answered me: "Thou wert not with us; thou wert in a place Where thou shouldst not have been; and since thou meanst To brave us thus, know, thou shalt never bear Those arms with thee to Scyros; 'tis resolved." Thus injured, thus deprived of all I held Most precious, by the worst of men, I left The hateful place, and seek my native soil. Nor do I blame so much the proud Ulysses As his base masters- army, city, all Depend on those who rule. When men grow vile The guilt is theirs who taught them to be wicked. I've told thee all, and him who hates the Atreidae I hold a friend to me and to the gods. |
