The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles' Philoctetes (Paperback)

by Seamus Heaney (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A purifying play, in the great tradition of modern Irish drama: think of Synge's Playboy of the Western World, O'Casey's early work, or even some of Yeats's Cuchulain plays."--John Peters, The Sunday Times (London)
-- Review

Review

"A purifying play, in the great tradition of modern Irish drama: think of Synge's Playboy of the Western World, O'Casey's early work, or even some of Yeats's Cuchulain plays."--John Peters, The Sunday Times (London)

See all Editorial Reviews

---

Product Details Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (December 4, 1991) Language: English ISBN-10: 0374522898 ISBN-13: 978-0374522896 Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,265 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #11 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Heaney, Seamus

---

Citations (learn more)

5 books cite this book:

• Premeditated Mercy by Joseph Nassal on page 12, and page 44
• In His Own Words by Nelson Mandela in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
• Voices In Disability And Spirituality From The Land Down Under: Outback To Outfront by Christophe Newell on page 34
• Answering Terror: Responses to War and Peace after 9/11/01 by Sharon Hoover on page 42
• The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace by John Paul Lederach on page 157

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	94% buy the item featured on this page: The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles' Philoctetes 5.0 out of 5 stars (4) $11.05
	3% buy Stepping Stones: Interviews with Seamus Heaney 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) $23.36
	2% buy Opened Ground: Selected Poems, 1966-1996 4.8 out of 5 stars (18) $11.56

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below. catholic(3) greece(2) ireland(2) seamus heaney(2) bards and minstrels(1) bow(1) classic mythology and literature(1) dead souls and dark alleys(1) historical dimensions and perspectives(1) history(1) iliad(1) See all 23 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search

No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

---

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

---

 

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 5.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 14 of 16 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Cure At Troy, March 18, 2003 By  Tom (MA) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles' Philoctetes (Hardcover) Seamus Heaney pulls through again with his brilliant translation of Sophocles' Philoctetes. The tragic story of the forgotten hero, Philoctetes, provides a unique insight into the conflicts between personal moral beliefs and political calling. Odysseus persuades the heroic Neoptolemus into tricking the mamed Philoctetes into giving up the bow of Hercules. This act challenges the admired traits of the ancient world and draws into question the importance of personal beliefs. As each character represents a different aspect of the Greek world, a fight for beliefs - fidelity, pity, piety - endures. As for the translation itself, Heaney provides a beautiful interpretation of the story as seen in the words of the chorus: History says, Don't hope On this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme. This enriched translation strays slightly from the ancient text in order to enhance the understanding of the modern reader. Overall, this fast-moving play entices and enchants through a lyrical harmony like no other. Bravo, Seamus. Bravo. 14 of 16 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Cure at Troy yields a measured dose, April 22, 2000 By  Debbie East (Lander, Wyoming) - See all my reviews Seamus Heaney's version of trials for the Greek archer entrusted with Hercules' infallible bow and arrows gives us affirmation and points of reflection. Heaney does not dash the ancient dialogue style on the rocky island; rather it is enriched for the modern reader. Honoring the timelessness of Sophocles, Heaney allows today's reader to make comparisons of private nature and choices with the public need and will. The hero, Achilles' son, Neoptolemus, finds that the strategy to take Troy for the Greeks runs counter to his nature of honesty and integrity. We wrestle with him over the choices. We tumble with him when he loses his grip. We crawl back to sure footing along side the hero. I found myself understanding the characters based on different experiences in my life. Philoctetes bemoans his ill-fated injury which leaves him abandoned and full of vengeance. Human empathy allows him to examine his tight grip on his woundedness without denying what he has endured. Odysseus, the pragmatic lieutenant of war, is shown for his utility and foibles. As in all Greek plays, the chorus calls the characters and the reader to reflection, "...For my part is the chorus, and the chorus is more or less a borderline between the you and the me and the it of it." Heaney got the "it of it" for us to take our own measure. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Don't forget the Irish politics, November 20, 2008 By  Giton (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews Other reviewers have noted that Heaney's translation, like any literary translation, serves a different purpose for its audience than the original work did for its audience. I just wanted to add that this translation is not _just_ a modernization of Sophocles' work. As an Irish unionist, Heaney subtly refigures the drama as a political treatise on modern Ireland, which was prominently expressed when former Irish President Mary Robinson cited The Cure at Troy in her inaugural speech in 1994. Leave it to a master like Heaney to produce a layered work with several valid levels of interpretation.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Seamus! "The Cure at Troy," translated by Seamus Heaney offers a delightful translation of Sophocles' "Philoctetes. Read more Published on March 20, 2003 by Michael Mello Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)

New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.

This product's forum (0 discussions)   Discussion Replies Latest Post   No discussions yet Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   [Cancel] Guidelines Active discussions in related forums   Discussion Replies Latest Post catholic Catholic tagging 3 20 days ago

The Catholic community Latest activity 2 hours ago 4,025 customers have contributed 6,782 products, 476 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Ireland community Latest activity 7 hours ago 2,525 customers have contributed 3,152 products, 177 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums catholic (42 discussions) greece (3 discussions) ireland (7 discussions) seamus heaney Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Listmania!

Poetry: A list by violet   "The Pure, Clear Word:" Contemporary Poetry for Just Folks: A list by J. Callahan "tastemaker"   Theater: A list by Vincent "Somethings could be better if we all just let them be" Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

imbibe the Homeric world.: A guide by Peter Wagner   curl up with 21 of Pres. Clinton's favorite books: A guide by C. Hall Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > General
• Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Heaney, Seamus
• Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama
• Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > History & Surveys

---

Transform Your Bathroom for Less Save up to 50% on sinks, faucets, showerheads, and toilet seats in the Home Improvement Value Center. Make your bathroom transformation a reality today. ›Shop the Value Center

Best Books of 2008 Find our top 100 editors' picks as well as customers' favorites in dozens of categories in our Best Books of 2008 Store.

Buy Three Books, Get a Fourth Free Order any four eligible books under $10 and get the lowest-price book free in our 4-for-3 Books Store. See more details.

Best Books See our editors' picks and more of the best new books on our Best of the Month page.

Ad feedback

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Where's My Stuff? Track your recent orders. View or change your orders in Your Account. Shipping & Returns See our shipping rates & policies. See FREE shipping information. Return an item (here's our Returns Policy). Need Help? Forgot your password? Buy gift cards. Visit our Help department.

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)

You have no recently viewed items or searches. After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.	Continue shopping: Top Sellers Free by Chris Anderson 3.6 out of 5 stars (12)$0.00 Paranoia by Joseph Finder 4.1 out of 5 stars (200)$0.00 My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent 4.2 out of 5 stars (4)$0.00 Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck 3.8 out of 5 stars (282)$6.59

Amazon.com Home  |   Directory of All Stores

International Sites:  Canada  |  United Kingdom  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  France  |  China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Build an eCommerce Site  |  Advertise With Us  |  Developer Services  |  Self-Publish with Us

Help  |  View Cart  |  Your Account  |  1-Click Settings

Investor Relations  |  Press Releases  |  Careers at Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (December 4, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374522898
• ISBN-13: 978-0374522896
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,265 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #11 in

  Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Heaney, Seamus

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cure At Troy, March 18, 2003

By	Tom (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles' Philoctetes (Hardcover)

Seamus Heaney pulls through again with his brilliant translation of Sophocles' Philoctetes. The tragic story of the forgotten hero, Philoctetes, provides a unique insight into the conflicts between personal moral beliefs and political calling. Odysseus persuades the heroic Neoptolemus into tricking the mamed Philoctetes into giving up the bow of Hercules. This act challenges the admired traits of the ancient world and draws into question the importance of personal beliefs. As each character represents a different aspect of the Greek world, a fight for beliefs - fidelity, pity, piety - endures. As for the translation itself, Heaney provides a beautiful interpretation of the story as seen in the words of the chorus:

History says, Don't hope
On this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.

This enriched translation strays slightly from the ancient text in order to enhance the understanding of the modern reader. Overall, this fast-moving play entices and enchants through a lyrical harmony like no other. Bravo, Seamus. Bravo.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cure at Troy yields a measured dose, April 22, 2000

By	Debbie East (Lander, Wyoming) - See all my reviews

Seamus Heaney's version of trials for the Greek archer entrusted with Hercules' infallible bow and arrows gives us affirmation and points of reflection. Heaney does not dash the ancient dialogue style on the rocky island; rather it is enriched for the modern reader. Honoring the timelessness of Sophocles, Heaney allows today's reader to make comparisons of private nature and choices with the public need and will. The hero, Achilles' son, Neoptolemus, finds that the strategy to take Troy for the Greeks runs counter to his nature of honesty and integrity. We wrestle with him over the choices. We tumble with him when he loses his grip. We crawl back to sure footing along side the hero. I found myself understanding the characters based on different experiences in my life. Philoctetes bemoans his ill-fated injury which leaves him abandoned and full of vengeance. Human empathy allows him to examine his tight grip on his woundedness without denying what he has endured. Odysseus, the pragmatic lieutenant of war, is shown for his utility and foibles. As in all Greek plays, the chorus calls the characters and the reader to reflection, "...For my part is the chorus, and the chorus is more or less a borderline between the you and the me and the it of it." Heaney got the "it of it" for us to take our own measure.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't forget the Irish politics, November 20, 2008

By	Giton (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews

Other reviewers have noted that Heaney's translation, like any literary translation, serves a different purpose for its audience than the original work did for its audience. I just wanted to add that this translation is not _just_ a modernization of Sophocles' work. As an Irish unionist, Heaney subtly refigures the drama as a political treatise on modern Ireland, which was prominently expressed when former Irish President Mary Robinson cited The Cure at Troy in her inaugural speech in 1994. Leave it to a master like Heaney to produce a layered work with several valid levels of interpretation.