[6][7] While in transit to fight the Trojan War, the Greeks had abandoned Philoctetes on the island of Lemnos on their way to Troy because they could not stand his screams of pain and the odor from his wound after he was bitten by a poisonous snake.

[6] However, ten years into the Trojan War they found out that Philoctetes and his bow and arrows were required to conquer Troy.

[6] Aeschylus' play introduced the innovation that Odysseus, who was largely responsible for Philoctetes being marooned on Lemnos was sent to fetch him.

[7] However, Euripides pays homage to the original approach by including Diomedes as Odysseus' partner in convincing Philoctetes to return to the Greek cause.

[7][8] The play begins with Odysseus arriving alone in front of Philoctetes' cave and discussing with himself why he has taken on yet one more dangerous task after all he has already risked for the Greek cause (fragment 789b).

(fragment 789b)[1][2][3] He also notes that is mission is particularly urgent because an embassy of Trojans is planning to try and sway Philoctetes to support them.

[1][2] Actor's arrival may have followed an apology by the chorus of men from Lemnos for not having visited Philoctetes earlier (fragment 780c).

[1][3] This introduces a patriotism theme, since Odysseus is pretending he has been rejected by the Greek army, but nonetheless considers it necessary to oppose the Trojan embassy.

[2] Collard, following Wecklein, suggests that Diomedes entrance may have been shortly after the Trojans left as part of a pre-arranged plan with Odysseus to trick Philoctetes into giving up the bow.

[1][2] In any case, we know from Dio that Philoctetes eventually agreed to join the Greeks at Troy as a result of "forcible persuasion.