# Divine Will and Fate in Philoctetes

> Theme guide for Philoctetes by Sophocles.

The prophecy that Troy cannot fall without Philoctetes' bow drives the plot, and the final appearance of Heracles as a deus ex machina compels Philoctetes to accept his fate and go to Troy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/themes/divine_will_and_fate
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/philoctetes_se/themes