# Odysseus — Philoctetes character guide

> Odysseus in Philoctetes by Sophocles.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Odysseus Entangle Philoctetes, Odysseus To Neoptolemus, Odysseus Wretch, Odysseus Great Zeus, Odysseus Son of Achilles

**First appearance:** 0001-dramatis-personae

## Who they are

The Greek army's most cunning strategist, sent to pry a wounded hero and his sacred bow off a deserted island by force or fraud.

## Relationships

### [Philoctetes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/philoctetes)

_rivalry_

Odysseus and Philoctetes are locked in a bitter struggle over the bow and the fate of Troy.

### [Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/sailor)

_professional_

Odysseus commands the sailor as part of his crew, using him as a tool in his schemes.

### [Neoptolemus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/neoptolemus)

_professional_

Neoptolemus is initially Odysseus's subordinate and accomplice in the plot against Philoctetes.

### [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/achilles)

_rivalry_

Achilles and Odysseus are legendary rivals in the Trojan War, with conflicting values of honor versus cunning.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Odysseus invokes Zeus as a justification for his deceptive mission, using divine authority as a manipulative tool.

### [Laertes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/laertes)

_family_

Laertes is Odysseus's father, though their relationship is distant and referenced only in Odysseus's background.

### [Heracles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/heracles)

_social_

Heracles is a legendary hero whose bow is central to the plot, but he has no direct interaction with Odysseus in the play.

### [Philoctetes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/philoctetes)

_rivalry_

Odysseus and Philoctetes are locked in a bitter struggle over the bow and the fate of Troy.

### [Philoctetes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/philoctetes)

_rivalry_

Odysseus and Philoctetes are locked in a bitter struggle over the bow and the fate of Troy.

### [Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/sailor)

_professional_

Odysseus commands the sailor as part of his crew, using him as a tool in his schemes.

### [Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/sailor)

_professional_

Odysseus commands the sailor as part of his crew, using him as a tool in his schemes.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Odysseus invokes Zeus as a justification for his deceptive mission, using divine authority as a manipulative tool.

## In the story

### [Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/chapters/dramatis-personae)

Listed as a character in the dramatis personae.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in notes about rescuing Achilles' body and arms, his reputed father Sisyphus, and his feigned madness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/odysseus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters