This is the first episode of Accursed Philoctetes, an updated myth from the Trojan War cycle.

In Act I, a famous Greek archer, Philoctetes, gets bitten by a snake - sent by Hera - on the island of Lemnos as the Greek army is heading to Troy to avenge the dishonor done to one of their own. The snakebit gets infected and fetid and completely incapitates him and unsettles his fellow sailors to the point that the Greek forces must consider leaving him behind on their way to Troy.

How and why does Philoctetes get singled out for this particular punishment?

What does it matter to the Greeks if he were to be left behind?

What are lifeboat ethics anyway? 

Explore the beginnings of this strange story of my Accursed / A Cursed Philoctetes. 

Trigger warnings: disgusting wound imagery, some noisesome howling and realistic depictions of abandonment and FOMO.

There is a certain universality to his experience despite the great goddess Hera and the snake.

Enjoy?