Neoptolemus

Neoptolemus is the secondary main character of Sophocle's play Philoctetes. He is portrayed as a kind and just young man who is loyal to his country. At the beginning of the play, he is eager to obtain the bow and arrows from Philoctetes so that Greece can win the war. When Ulysses tells him that he needs to deceive Philoctetes and steal the arrows, however, he refuses to do so. He informs Ulysses that he was not brought up to betray people and that he would feel guilty. He changes his mind after hearing Ulysses describe the stories of his bravery and wisdom, and lies in order to trick Philoctetes into giving him the arrows. Eventually, however, Neoptolemus feels remorse. He admits to Philoctetes that Ulysses was planning to take him to Troy by force, and despite Ulysses' protests he goes back to Philoctetes to return his bow and arrows. At the end of the story Neoptolemus decides to fulfill his promise and take Philoctetes back to his homeland, despite his own desire to fight in the war. Despite his trickery and his vanity, Neoptolemus redeemed himself by acting with honesty and compassion and by agreeing to fulfill his promise to Philoctetes.