Philoctetes (Leaving Cert Classical Studies): Flashcards

All action occurs on Lemnos island

Heracles appears to resolve the conflict

Power and dependence; Philoctetes' dignity and autonomy

Suffering, betrayal, exclusion from society

Abandonment, isolation, testing ground for honour/morality

Audience knows Neoptolemus deceives Philoctetes

Greeks abandoned Philoctetes but need him for victory

Odysseus presents deception as noble strategy

Cold, pragmatic, manipulative language

Raw, emotional appeals based on loyalty and justice

Moves from deceit towards honesty

Moral barometer, sympathetic observers

Rapid, alternating single-line exchanges

Emotional power through vivid descriptions of suffering

Honour, betrayal, moral conflict