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The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles' Philoctetes Paperback – December 4, 1991

by Seamus Heaney (Author)

4.7 228 ratings

Part of: Faber Drama (71 books)

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The Cure at Troy is Seamus Heaney's version of Sophocles' Philoctetes. Written in the fifth century BC, this play concerns the predicament of the outcast hero, Philoctetes, whom the Greeks marooned on the island of Lemnos and forgot about until the closing stages of the Siege of Troy. Abandoned because of a wounded foot, Philoctetes nevertheless possesses an invincible bow without which the Greeks cannot win the Trojan War. They are forced to return to Lemnos and seek out Philoctetes' support in a drama that explores the conflict between personal integrity and political expediency.

Heaney's version of Philoctetes is a fast-paced, brilliant work ideally suited to the stage. Heaney holds on to the majesty of the Greek original, but manages to give his verse the flavor of Irish speech and context.

Part of series

Faber Drama
Length

96
Pages
Language

EN
English
Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date

1991
December 4
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.5 x 8.2
inches
ISBN-10

0374522898
ISBN-13

978-0374522896
See all details

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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)

About the Author

Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. His poems, plays, translations, and essays include Opened Ground, Electric Light, Beowulf, The Spirit Level, District and Circle, and Finders Keepers. Robert Lowell praised Heaney as the "most important Irish poet since Yeats."

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux; REPRINT Edition (December 4, 1991)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374522898
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374522896
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.21 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #164,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #36 in Tragic Dramas & Plays
- #46 in Ancient & Classical Dramas & Plays
- #161 in British & Irish Dramas & Plays

Customer Reviews:
4.7 228 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

228 global ratings

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David Cope

Heaney's fine rewrite of a classic play

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2021

Verified Purchase

I had not heard of the great Seamus Heaney's adaptation of Sophocles' Philoctetes until the choral poem on page 77-78 was recited at the Inaugural Celebration of America, with an introductory note that this was one of President Biden's favorite poems. As an old student and teacher of Greek Drama (and of Heaney's poems), I bought this one immediately. The book is a "version"--an adaptation--of Sophocles' play, following the tale and the characters closely enough to warrant kudos, and it has some places where Seamus has embellished the play with his own writing, notably the choral song that is one of the President's favorite pieces. This book is a fine addition to my drama library, but it also shows me an admirable side of Heaney that I had not know of before.

One person found this helpful

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Shawntonsoup

Power of Words in The Cure at Troy

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2011

Verified Purchase

I saw the Cure at Troy at the American Players Theater in Spring Green, WI this September and fell in love. I've been a Heaney fan for years and the power and deceptive simplicity of his poetry comes through in his re-write of Sophocles' Philoctetes. I was so moved that I taught it instead of Julius Cesar in my 10th Grade English class. And I'm so glad I did. Students were hit head-on by the language. Instantly inside the story, they then could live in the moral dilemma fully and really wrestle with the plights of the characters.

The story of a man with justified, entrenched anger who will not budge from his stable, injured position speaks to adolescents as much as it speaks to the senators on Capitol Hill. So what to do? What to hope for? Seamus Heaney gives us poetry: words that can help us see beyond the walls of the present.

15 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great first Heaney book

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2021

Verified Purchase

This book is a great way to dip your toes into the warm waters of Heaney. From The Chorus to Neoptolemus to Odysseus to Philoctetes, Heaney brings to life this story.

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Frank

well translated by Heaney

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

This lesser known play by Sophocles is well translated by Heaney, as can be expected. The tragic suffering at its center, as well as the questioning of what it means to take a moral stand---both to fail and gain a measure of success---are troubling. The play needs to be read closely and doesn't reveal itself as explictily as Sophocles' other masterpieces.

8 people found this helpful

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Donna

Well written

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

Excellent story; easy to read and understand. Puts Biden’s comments in context.

4 people found this helpful

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d.brent

Heaney is brilliant

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2012

Verified Purchase

Seamus Heaney demonstrates his brilliance in his version of Sopholes' PHILOCTETES. Heaney was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995--this interpretation predates his Nobel award by over 30 years (1961) although according to the fly leaf it was originally published in 1990. It forms a challenging reflection on victimization, perpetration, and self-justification.

The poetic interpretation is beautiful and artful.

2 people found this helpful

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Ryan Pine

Heaney's brilliant Troubles' metaphor

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017

Verified Purchase

Seamus Heaney masterfully adapts the Greek myth of Philoctetes at Lemnos to create a metaphor for the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It's a puzzle to put together -- a lot of fun.

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

This was a good copy, and it was quickly received. This was a most interesting play and I was especially interested in the translation/adaptation by Seamus Heaney.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

T Frostic

Just an amazing play. I loved the mood

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2014

Verified Purchase

Just an amazing play. I loved the mood, emotion and spirit this story had. It keeps you reading and valuing the characters and their principles all the way through. I love the way the story concentrates on one particular moment that changes history. A captivating and exhilerating read, I'd recommend this play to anyone.

One person found this helpful

N. E. M. Goulder

Top drawer

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2018

Verified Purchase

Like everything Heaney did in this field, this is simply outstanding. I can't recommend it too highly.

One person found this helpful

wa crean

amazing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2013

Verified Purchase

inspirational writer, inspirational work i highly recommend it to all. easy to read and understand it brings ancient greek mythology to life

3 people found this helpful

L. Davidson

Archer in Agony

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

The Cure at Troy is similar to other great Heaney translations like Beowulf, The Burial at Thebes and Aeneid Book VI. It is his version of Sophocles Greek play,Philoctetes, which is set during the Trojan War. Philoctetes was abandoned on a desert island by Odysseus and the Greeks ten years earlier after he had his foot bitten by a snake. This wound caused him to go into noisy spasms of pain and it emitted a foul smell. However he was abandoned with Hercules magical bow and arrow. A seer has told Odysseus that he needs Philoctetes and his bow to return to Troy in order for the Greeks to conquer it. Odysseus and his colleague try to trick Philoctetes when he defiantly refuses to go to Troy,blinded by hate of Odysseus and driven nearly mad by his incurable wound. Can he persuaded to join them ,will they steal the bow and leave him,or will the gods intervene in some way ? This is a well written translation by Heaney and he uses many modern idioms to help make the text more accessible. The main themes are of the rights of the individual versus the rights of the group (similar to The Burial at Thebes) , morality versus deception and an overriding theme of the influence of Fate on human actions and a sense that humans must follow their destined path. A great read.

4 people found this helpful

StephenC79

First class translation from Heaney

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2013

Verified Purchase

The late great Seamus Heaney's translations were always sparse, to the point and rooted in both the ancient, mythic past and had their mindsets from troubles-era Northern Ireland. This tale of the duplicity and corruption of war, and the use and misuse of weapons is as timeless a work as Sophocles' original and hopefully will live long in the imagination of English speakers the world over.

5 people found this helpful

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