# Philoctetes — Philoctetes character guide

> Philoctetes in Philoctetes by Sophocles.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Philoctetes Heracles, Philoctetes Son of Achilles, Philoctetes O wondrous weird, Philoctetes Never

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

## Who they are

A crippled Greek archer marooned nine years on a barren island, he guards Heracles' bow — the one weapon Troy cannot fall without.

## Relationships

### [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/odysseus)

_rivalry_

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

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

_friendship_

Neoptolemus develops genuine sympathy and friendship for the abandoned Philoctetes, eventually betraying Odysseus's plan.

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

_social_

Achilles and Philoctetes were fellow Greek warriors at Troy, though not closely allied.

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

_social_

Philoctetes interacts with the sailor only as a stranger on the island, with no meaningful bond.

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

_social_

Laertes and Philoctetes have no direct relationship; they are merely distant acquaintances through the Trojan War context.

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

_friendship_

Heracles bequeathed his bow to Philoctetes as a token of friendship and gratitude for lighting his funeral pyre.

### [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/odysseus)

_rivalry_

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

### [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/characters/odysseus)

_rivalry_

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

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

_friendship_

Neoptolemus develops genuine sympathy and friendship for the abandoned Philoctetes, eventually betraying Odysseus's plan.

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

_social_

Laertes and Philoctetes have no direct relationship; they are merely distant acquaintances through the Trojan War context.

## 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 the note about the nymph by whose guardian serpent he was bitten.

## Links

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