Philoctetes

by Sophocles, Peter Meineck, Paul Woodruff

Overview

Based on the conviction that only translators who write poetry themselves can properly recreate the celebrated and timeless tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the Greek Tragedy in New Translations series offers new translations that go beyond the literal meaning of the Greek in order to evoke the poetry of the originals. Under the general editorship of Peter Burian and Alan Shapiro, each volume includes a critical introduction, commentary on the text, full stage directions, and a glossary of the mythical and geographical references in the play. En route to fight the Trojan War, the Greek army abandons Philoctetes after the smell of his festering wound, mysteriously received from a snakebite at a shrine on a small island off Lemnos, makes it unbearable to keep him on ship. Ten years later, an oracle makes it clear that the war cannot be won without the assistance of Philoctetes and his famous bow, inherited from Hercules himself. Philoctetes focuses on the attempt of Neoptolemus and the hero Odysseus to persuade the bowman to sail with them to Troy. First, though, they must assuage his bitterness over having been abandoned, and then win his trust. But how should they do this -- through trickery, or with the truth? To what extent do the ends justify the means? To what degree should personal integrity be compromised for the sake of public duty? These are among the questions that Sophocles puts forward in this, one of his most morally complex and penetrating plays.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781624661235
Publisher:	Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.
Publication date:	03/15/2014
Series:	Hackett Classics
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Peter Meineck is Founder of Aquila Theatre and Associate Professor of Classics, New York University.


Paul Woodruff is Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	3
	On the Translation	25
	Characters	32
	Philoctetes	33
	Notes on the Text	99
	Glossary	115

Editorial Reviews

"An excellent translation of this always intriguing play: clear, simple, up-to-date English. . . . Clearly designed for stage performance as well as reading. Woodruff gives a good account of why the Athenian audience would have been on the edge of their seats. This translation would be appropriate for anyone doing a Classics or drama course, with or without the language. No prior knowledge of the mythological background is assumed; everything one needs to know is explained in the introduction and notes."
—Colin McDonald, Journal of Classics Teaching

"This translation makes a strong case for the use of Philoctetes both in the classroom and in performance. . . . A lively and energetic play with quick and exciting language. . . . The struggle of young Neoptolemus to find his way within the heroic world comes across as timely and relevant. The otherworldliness of Philoctetes' pain is perfectly rendered. . . . Paul Woodruff's Introduction is excellent. I have read this play many times and know the myth well, yet I still found myself thoroughly captivated by Woodruff’s narrative. . . . The bibliography would be a tremendous resource for an undergraduate student. All in all, this is among the best in Hackett's excellent and expanding series of Greek tragedy in translation. The combination of Meineck's skillful translation with an eye to performance and Woodruff’s enthusiastic and intelligent introduction makes this particular volume a great pleasure."
—Kathryn Mattison, McMaster University, in Mouseion

From the Publisher