Religion
The place of gods in the Ancient Greece can be easily traced through the works of many Greek poets and writers, and Sophocles is one of these. In Philoctetes, religion is seen through Philoctetes’s attitude towards the gods. He says “What must I think of things like this, how praise the gods, when praising them I find them vile”. It is obvious that faith in gods and their blessings does not bring people happiness and peace. Praying to them brings people neither relief nor comfort. But it is important to note that people do not revolt against the gods, they unquestioningly obey their demands. Neither Odysseus nor Neoptolemus can persuade Philoctetes to go with them to Troy, but when Hercules appears expounding Zeus’ demands, Philoctetes obeys the very moment. The irony is that no matter what, but power of gods over people is absolute.
Betrayal
An ironic presentation of betrayal is revealed through the image of Odysseus and his deeds concerning Philoctetes. Odysseus is known as a warrior and a very clever one, but in the play he is portrayed as a cunning and artful person capable of betraying. The irony is that ten years ago Philoctetes was abandoned on the island by Odysseus, and now Odysseus needs Philoctetes the most, as the war won’t be won without him. Odysseus’s betrayal turned against him. Through the entire play Sophocles passes a sublime irony of the limitations of the human mind when it comes to the ideals of war.
