# data[].attributes.body
"With justice on my side, your army doesn't frighten me. . . . Not even your hand can command my obedience" (93, 1311-15).

# data[].attributes.body
When Ody. and Neo. re-enter the scene, the focus is on their interaction (previously on Chorus and Phil.'s interaction).

"I am going to undo a mistake I made earlier. . . . One I made in obedience to you and the whole army" (89, 1274-77).

A debate about the nature of right and wrong follows:

Neoptolemus: Just actions matter more than wise ones (91, 1303-04).

Odysseus: If an act is commanded by an authority, it is always right/just (1305-06).

"I made a shameful mistake. I am going to try to put it right" (1307-08).

# data[].attributes.body
"It is in your power to escape this death / Which is eating away at you pitifully, / Sharing your life, but unable to teach you / How to endure such suffering" (85, 1206-09)

# data[].attributes.body
Chorus: "Keep your hateful, ill-fated curse for others, / And don't reject our friendship. / That matters to us" (83, 1156-58).

BUT THEN. . .

Phil.: "Leave me now. Go!"

Chorus: "I'm glad. Glad that's what you say. / It's what I've been wanting to do" (87, 1220-22).

Is there some narrative collapse happening here?

(See remainder of the page.)

# data[].attributes.body
By rejecting the offer to leave with Odysseus and Neoptolemus, Philoctetes exemplifies a flawed cared-for figure. The care might not be ideal, but it is better than his current situation. Despite his hatred for Ody. and for the idea of helping him (thus disregarding the fate of Greece and its people), that temporary situation would be better for him than languishing abandoned on the island without his weapons.

He is not holding up his end of the one-caring (Neo.)/cared-for relationship. Odysseus creates an obstacle to this relationship, but it has been developed and can be maintained.

Refuses multiple times and thus violates ethical role of the cared-for. See especially Phil.'s interaction with Chorus after Ody. and Neo. exit the scene (pgs. 79-89).

# data[].attributes.body
"I adapt to what circumstances require. When justice and honour are critical, you could find no one more righteous than me. The desire always to win comes naturally to me, . . . (77, 1082-85).

# data[].attributes.body
Philoctetes addresses the condition of his life in contrast to Odysseus', whom he considers a morally inferior person.

Pg. 75, 1053-56

Considering how he got bit by the snake, is his suffering his fault? There are two stories:

1. He made a choice to wander too close to the Temple of Chryse, and got bit by the snake protecting the temple.

2. Chryse herself, a minor goddess of Lemnos, lured him away from the rest of the crew.

# data[].attributes.body
On pg. 75, Odysseus commands Neoptolemus, presumably, to restrain Philoctetes after he says he will kill himself rather than return with Odysseus.

This, along with the talk of taking him by force, violates Ph.'s free will and illustrates a potential violation of F of H--forcefully using Ph. as a means to an end.

However, all the men will be putting themselves in the same danger when they reach Troy. Does this fact complicate such an absolute interpretation of F of H?

What about pg. 77, 1062-69?

# data[].attributes.body
"Know this: these things have been decided by Zeus. Zeus rules this land. It is Zeus I serve" (73, 1021-22).

Odysseus also has a commander to obey. He answers to the highest god. This is his justification: "not my fault; must obey Zeus." Thus, Philoctetes is not only a victim of Odysseus but also of Fate.

"He [Ody.] was singled out from the mass / And given his instructions. / He has performed a service / On behalf of his friends" (83 (1179-83).

# data[].attributes.body
Obey Odysseus (DE) or remain loyal to Philoctetes (E of C)? Pg. 73, 1011-14 and 79, 1098-1103

# data[].attributes.body
Obey Odysseus (DE) or remain loyal to Philoctetes (E of C)? Pg. 73, 1011-14 and 79, 1098-1103

# data[].attributes.headline
When Philoctetes demands his bow back. . .

# data[].attributes.subject
When Philoctetes demands his bow back. . .

# data[].attributes.body
Odysseus responds, "That he will never do, not even if he wants to" (73, 1012)

# data[].attributes.body
"A terrible sense of pity for this man has overwhelmed me. Not a sudden feeling, but one which has been growing" (73, 889-91)

# data[].attributes.body
Aristotle observed that a person without society lives, essentially, as an animal--that the absence of society dehumanizes a person.

How does this relate to a very specific component of VE?

# data[].attributes.body
"Child, consider where you stand, . . . (847-54).

"The winds are in our favor, child. . . (873-80).

What the Chorus urges Neo. to do violates the O-C/C-F relationship that Neo. has created through his deceit. It is based on deceit, but in Phil.'s eyes, it is sincere. Also, it is clear that Neo. does really care for Philoctetes. How does this scene convey that?

# data[].attributes.body
"My spirits lighten as I look at you and accept you / as my friend" (652-53).

"My sickness makes me crave / your constant presence" (656-67).

*Note how the perspective and tone of the Chorus change after this exchange. They accept Neo.'s decision not to take Phil.'s weapons and leave him behind.

# data[].attributes.body
Is Neoptolemus being sincere when he expresses sympathy for Philoctetes' pain? (897-98)

Or is this just part of his tactic?

# data[].attributes.body
After relationship is formed, Neoptolemus reveals the scheme. When Neo. responds to Phil.'s reaction, he makes a statement that conveys his ethical conflict: duty vs. virtue. (949-50)

# data[].attributes.body
"We are ruled by the power of necessity. Don't / be angry listening to me" (944-45).

# data[].attributes.body
Odysseus tells Neoptolemus that, although the scheme goes against his virtue, it is that quality of virtue that he will have to use to succeed. (49)

# data[].attributes.body
Odysseus tells him that he must cast aside his principles for the sake of Greece and the survival of its people. (79)

# data[].attributes.body
Neoptolemus is worried about taking action that goes against his character. (50-51)

Odysseus tells him that he must cast aside his principles for the sake of Greece and the survival of its people. (79)

*Neo's virtue makes it difficult for him to carry out his task.

For example, lines 910-24

# data[].attributes.body
Odysseus uses Philoctetes as a means to an end by seeking him out after 10 years of abandonment so that they can defeat Troy.

He is less concerned with bringing Philoctetes back than having access to his special bow and arrows. In that sense, we can understand his retrieval from the island is not a rescue.

*In the scene with the "merchant", Phil. emphasizes his autonomy as a response to the news of Odysseus' plan. (604-11)

# data[].attributes.body
"And you don't think it is shameful to lie?" (105)

"Not if that lie means safety." (106)

*See Neo.'s comment about lying in line 859. This is in reference to a specific type of lie, but could suggest an overall view given his comment above and his experience thus far.

# data[].attributes.body
Odysseus is Neoptolemus' commander.

Odysseus emphasizes duty Neoptolemus has to him and his fellow Greeks. (line 65)

Once Neoptolemus agrees to the plan, active leadership shifts to him, and the Chorus recognizes their duty to Neoptolemus. (150, 160)