# Sailor — Philoctetes character guide

> Sailor in Philoctetes by Sophocles.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Sailor Old Phoenix

**First appearance:** 0002-philoctetes

## Who they are

Crew member who assists Odysseus and Neoptolemus in their mission.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

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

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

_social_

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

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

_professional_

Neoptolemus and the sailor are both part of Odysseus's crew, sharing a professional but distant relationship.

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

_social_

Heracles and the sailor have no relationship; the sailor is merely a minor character in the story.

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

_professional_

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

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

_professional_

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

## In the story

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

Listed as a character in the dramatis personae, disguised as a merchant captain.

## Links

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