Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney brings all his powers of imagination and skill to this classic Greek adventure. Possessing the powerful bow and arrows of the god Hercules, renowned warrior and expert archer Philoctetes sets off with his comrades for Troy. But when he receives a wound to his foot that will not heal, he screams in agony forcing Odysseus to leave him behind to suffer a "certain and slow death by exposure." Ten years later, with the wars still raging, Odysseus is desperate for victory and returns to claim the weapons, only to find Philoctetes still alive. Will his plan against Philoctetes succeed? When is it acceptable to lie? This classic story is filled with questions of honor, loyalty and deceit-questions that are completely relevant to the events of our day.