Deus Ex Machina Quotes
The use of deus ex machina at the end of Sophocles’ ‘Philoctetes’ serves as a final anchor point to tie together the events which unfolded prior. Heracle’s intervention allows us to reflect on the nature of events in the play and the themes of the play. Finally it gives us insight into divine influence and the role of fate.
Throughout the play, the characters have conflicting objectives, ideals, etc. Neoptolemus struggles with an internal conflict between doing what he thinks is right, and what will bring the greatest good. Through Heracle’s words one view is shown to be the correct choice. The actions that ignore personal and mortal quandaries, such as righteousness and sympathy, and instead favor the greater good of mankind (or Greek-kind in this case). So although the audience may side with Philoctetes because Odysseus betrayed him, or Neoptolemus due to his moral character, Odysseus is the one who is truly “right” in the situation. Heracle’s tells Philoctetes “I have left my home in Heaven, Philoctetes, to come here and tell you what Zeus plans for you and to stop you from embarking on this voyage to your home.” in addition he also tells Neoptolemus “You, alone, without this man’s help cannot take Troy.” These quotes reflect the theme of putting your obligations …show more content…
before your personal feelings, something both Neoptolemus and Philoctetes struggled with throughout the play. These ideas reinforce the view that the characters should act without letting personal problems interfere.
The first quote also shines light upon another theme prevalent throughout the play, the role of fate. Philoctetes was fated to conquer Troy with Heracle’s bow, as stated by Heracles himself. If conquering Troy was Philoctetes fate, then why did Heracles have to come down to put him on the right path? If such an event was fated by Zeus, shouldn’t there be no need for interference on anyone’s part? Maybe it’s possible that part of Philoctetes fate was that Heracles would intervene and set him on the correct path. These ideas greatly thin the line between fate and divine intervention. Is fate then real, or do the gods just steer everyone in the right direction towards their fate?
In the play, Neoptolemus is convinced by Odysseus that he must betray Philoctetes for the greater good but eventually, his agency to follow that plan fades and he decides to do what he thinks is right.
So, Odysseus only has so much power over Neoptolemus, or, people only have so much power over one another. Heracles on the other hand was fully able to convince both Neoptolemus and Philoctetes to act against their own feelings to fulfill their fates. The power of divine influence is unmatched in greek mythology, and this in turn challenges the idea of fate. If gods have the power over people's choices, then it is really the gods who control fate, or at the very least steer it with incredible
accuracy.
Throughout the play, the characters have conflicting objectives, ideals, etc. Neoptolemus struggles with an internal conflict between doing what he thinks is right, and what will bring the greatest good. Through Heracle’s words one view is shown to be the correct choice. The actions that ignore personal and mortal quandaries, such as righteousness and sympathy, and instead favor the greater good of mankind (or Greek-kind in this case). So although the audience may side with Philoctetes because Odysseus betrayed him, or Neoptolemus due to his moral character, Odysseus is the one who is truly “right” in the situation. Heracle’s tells Philoctetes “I have left my home in Heaven, Philoctetes, to come here and tell you what Zeus plans for you and to stop you from embarking on this voyage to your home.” in addition he also tells Neoptolemus “You, alone, without this man’s help cannot take Troy.” These quotes reflect the theme of putting your obligations …show more content…
before your personal feelings, something both Neoptolemus and Philoctetes struggled with throughout the play. These ideas reinforce the view that the characters should act without letting personal problems interfere.
The first quote also shines light upon another theme prevalent throughout the play, the role of fate. Philoctetes was fated to conquer Troy with Heracle’s bow, as stated by Heracles himself. If conquering Troy was Philoctetes fate, then why did Heracles have to come down to put him on the right path? If such an event was fated by Zeus, shouldn’t there be no need for interference on anyone’s part? Maybe it’s possible that part of Philoctetes fate was that Heracles would intervene and set him on the correct path. These ideas greatly thin the line between fate and divine intervention. Is fate then real, or do the gods just steer everyone in the right direction towards their fate?
In the play, Neoptolemus is convinced by Odysseus that he must betray Philoctetes for the greater good but eventually, his agency to follow that plan fades and he decides to do what he thinks is right.
So, Odysseus only has so much power over Neoptolemus, or, people only have so much power over one another. Heracles on the other hand was fully able to convince both Neoptolemus and Philoctetes to act against their own feelings to fulfill their fates. The power of divine influence is unmatched in greek mythology, and this in turn challenges the idea of fate. If gods have the power over people's choices, then it is really the gods who control fate, or at the very least steer it with incredible
accuracy.