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
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