The basis of the play by Heiner Mller is a number of ancient plots related to Filoctet .. Poisoned by the bite of a snake that struck him in the leg, he leads a reclusive existence on the island of Lemnos. When it becomes clear that without him it is impossible to defeat Troy, Odysseus and the son of Achilles Neoptolemus go after him. The whole play is built around these three characters, who are in a very contradictory attitude towards each other. Both Philocteth and Neoptolemus know and openly admit that Odysseus is their enemy. Both Odysseus and Neoptolemus realize that now is not the time for personal conflicts and, to help the Greeks win, they must forget about the quarrels and as soon as possible deliver Neoptolemus to the walls of Troy. Enmity, duty, cunning, and honor struggle and intertwine in this play from beginning to end.