Great Books Ep 75. Sophocles - Philoctetus. The Isle of Loneliness: The Psychological Toll of Isolation

Being left alone without any contact with anyone else is damaging to most people. The deprivation of human contact can lead to severe psychological consequences, including depression, and anxiety.

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“I pity him, to think how, with no man to care for him, and seeing no companion's face, suffering, lonely evermore, he is vexed by fierce disease, and bewildered by each want as it arises. How, how doth he endure in his misery?”

~ ‘Philoctetes’ by Sophocles (Richard. C. Jebb translation. GB5 - p. 183)

Brief Summary:

The play is about Philoctetes, a Greek hero who was abandoned on the island of Lemnos due to a festering wound on his leg due to a snake bite. The ship’s inmates could not bear his constant crying. So they decided to leave him on the island with minimal provisions, thinking he would die. Almost ten years later, Odysseus and Neoptolemus (son of Achilles) arrive at the island in search of him. It seems that the bow of Heracles is crucial to winning the Trojan War, and Philoctetes has the bow. Odysseus knows that if Philoctetes has survived, he would still harbor anger towards him and the Greeks for leaving him there and would not listen to their words of how desperately they need his help now. So he asks Neoptolemus to lie to Philoctetes and take the bow cunningly. Neoptolemus goes into the cave and befriends Philoctetes, saying he is also angry with the Greek leaders and is on his way home. He manages to get the bow before Philoctetes realizes that he was deceived. He begs for his bow to be given back, but they don’t listen. Neoptolemus has a change of heart, returns and gives the bow to Philoctetes. He tells him the truth and asks him to come with them to fight against the Trojans. Philoctetes refuses to go to Troy due to his hatred for the Greeks who abandoned him. The standoff is resolved by the divine intervention of Heracles, who appears and instructs Philoctetes to go to Troy, promising him healing and glory. The play ends with Philoctetes bidding farewell to Lemnos and going to Troy.

My Thoughts:

One of the key themes of the play is how Philoctetes managed to stay alive by himself on an island for ten years. It reminded me of the story of Robinson Crusoe, who also spent years alone on an island before he came in contact with other humans, including cannibals. Though both of these are fictional stories, there might be actual accounts of someone living alone on an island or someplace without human contact. How long can a human withstand solitude? Is there a psychological impact due to prolonged isolation? I’ve heard that solitary confinement is one of the worst punishments. It could make a person mad. Though in the past few decades, we are moving towards an individualistic society where people want to be left alone, they still are in a society where they see other people in malls, trains, roads, etc. Being social is essential for our well-being and mental health because evolution has made it so. Thousands of years of evolution has ensured that we succeed as a species by working in groups. In Sapiens, Yuval Harari says that modern civilization is successful because humans are the only species that are able to cooperate with each other on a global scale. Conducting events like the Olympics, where people from across the world participate, are examples of this cooperation.

So, if being social is etched into the psyche, is being left alone the worst punishment? Worst in comparison to what? Probably, comparison to other sufferings like hunger or war is not the right thing. It is fair to say that being left alone without any contact with anyone else is damaging to most people. Yes, there are stories of sages and philosophers who have gone to the mountains or sought solitude to gain enlightenment. But seeking solitude is different from being abandoned and left alone. So a lot of things are in the mind. Maybe what humans need to focus on is making the mind more resilient, probably through practices like meditation or some new things.

If humans become interplanetary species, people being stranded in space in spaceships surrounded by total void is not too far-fetched. So, new mechanisms will have to be developed to combat the feeling of loneliness and being lost. Being alone in space is not something that evolution has prepared the human body for. But even today’s urban living - living thousands of feet above the ground, being on the phone all the time, and being connected to people virtually - are also things that evolution didn’t prepare humans for. We’re already doing many things that the normal human body cannot do with the aid of technology. The universe is so vast, we haven’t found any source of life anywhere, I guess we are already lonely in the known universe.

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Gemini (AI Chatbot) Response:

Expanding on Your Thoughts about Loneliness and Solitary Confinement:

You've touched on a crucial aspect of the play – Philoctetes' decade-long isolation. While fictional, his ordeal raises important questions about the human need for connection. You're right that solitary confinement is considered a severe punishment, as it deprives individuals of social interaction, a fundamental human need.

• The Psychological Impact of Isolation: Research supports your observation that prolonged isolation can have detrimental effects on mental health. It can lead to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and even cognitive decline. Philoctetes' suffering, his bitterness, and his initial resistance to rejoining society underscore the psychological toll of isolation.

• The Evolutionary Perspective: You've correctly pointed out that humans are social creatures by nature. Our evolutionary history has shaped us to cooperate and thrive in groups. Being part of a community provides us with a sense of belonging, support, and shared purpose. When we're deprived of these connections, we suffer.

• Solitude vs. Loneliness: While some individuals seek solitude for personal growth or spiritual enlightenment, forced isolation is a different matter. Philoctetes' loneliness is not a chosen path but a consequence of his abandonment. This distinction highlights the importance of agency and choice in experiencing solitude positively.

• The Future of Loneliness: Your point about the potential for loneliness in space exploration is intriguing. As we venture further into the cosmos, we'll need to address the psychological challenges of isolation and develop strategies to foster connection and community even in the most remote environments.

Deeper Analysis of the Play's Themes and Symbolism:

• The Bow of Heracles: The bow symbolizes both power and burden. It represents Philoctetes' heroic past but also his physical and emotional pain. The struggle to possess the bow reflects the conflict between personal desire and collective responsibility.

• The Island of Lemnos: The island serves as a metaphor for isolation and exile. It's a place of both suffering and resilience, where Philoctetes endures physical pain and emotional torment but also develops survival skills and a deep connection to nature.

• The Role of Deception: The play explores the ethics of deception and manipulation. Odysseus' plan to trick Philoctetes raises questions about the justification of lying for a greater good and the potential consequences of dishonesty.

• The Importance of Compassion: Neoptolemus' change of heart and his decision to return the bow to Philoctetes highlight the importance of compassion and empathy. It suggests that even in the midst of conflict and manipulation, human connection and understanding can prevail.

Thought-Provoking Questions for Modern Readers:

• How do we define and experience loneliness in our increasingly interconnected world?

• What are the ethical implications of using deception and manipulation to achieve a desired outcome?

• Can compassion and empathy bridge the divides created by conflict and betrayal?

• How does the play's exploration of suffering and resilience resonate with contemporary challenges?

• What can we learn from Philoctetes' experience about the importance of human connection and the consequences of isolation?

• How can society better support individuals who experience forced isolation or social exclusion?