Before war against the Trojans, Philoctetes suffers a snakebite on his foot. The pain becomes so unbearable he cries out causing his shipmates to abandon him on the island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea. He was blessed with the bow of Heracles and known to be one of the greatest Greek archers. The play begins with Odysseus, the Greek warrior, traveling to Lemnos accompanied by Neoptolemus. Their quest is to return Philoctetes to Troy. A seer has warned that only his bow and poisoned arrows can end the Trojan War. Upon finding Philoctetes’ living cave, Odysseus realizes Philoctetes will draw his bow at the arrival of any Greek who mutinied him on the island. He sends Neoptolemus to deceive Philoctetes into returning. He sticks with the plan, despite his conscience. Eventually he tells the truth in hopes to keep the bond he and Philoctetes have created. Upon a supernatural appearance of Heracles, Philoctetes decides to return to Troy to win the War and be healed of his illness.