Empathy and Commitment as a Basis for Trust In Sophocles' Philoctetes, Odysseus orders Neoptolemus to abandon justice and base a relationship with Philoctetes on dishonesty to gain his trust and finally, his bow. However, Neoptolemus recognizes that a similar burden afflicts Philoctetes and becomes the basis of trust between them. Neoptolemus attempts to reconcile himself to Odysseus' orders by stealing the bow and abandoning Philoctetes. Unable to follow orders, Neoptolemus returns to Philoctetes indicating his commitment and lack of trust towards the Atreidae. Therefore, Sophocles disputes that trust is based on empathy and commitment, as evident in the relationship between Philoctetes and Neoptolemus. Empathy forms the basis for trust to exist between Neoptolemus and Philoctetes. Neoptolemus meets Philoctetes and recounts the injustice committed by Odysseus and the Greeks against him as “You monsters-have dared to give to someone/other than me/the weapons that rightfully belong to me” to gain his trust and steal his bow ( ln.365-367). Neoptolemus' initial depiction of the Atreidai hierarchy as "monsters" represents the inhuman and untrustworthy nature of leaders such as Odysseus. It is difficult for humans to establish common ground on which to trust each other; while with the “monsters” alienation devastates the existence of any common ground. Neoptolemus' description reflects his alienation from the Greeks and Odysseus. The Atreidae and Odysseus define their values ​​as unjust and well-founded apathy by denying Neoptolemus "the weapons which by right are [his]." Odysseus' entrusting of the armor created by Hephaestus to Achilles and not to Neoptolemus reflects the lack of respect on the part of the Atreidai for the sacred goods and obligations... at the center of the card... which drags on him the bow of Heracles. Philoctetes is able to empathize with Neoptolemus' loss of his father's armor by becoming a surrogate father. The two men manage to understand each other on the basis of the pain created by the Greeks. Neoptolemus' growing concern for Philoctetes' well-being indicates the presence of commitment. Neoptolemus refuses to sever the bond Philoctetes has with his bow and regrets the loss of justice and shame. Neoptolemus indicates his commitment to preserving Philoctetes physically and in honor by opposing the Greeks. In turn, Philoctetes promises to defend Skyros with his life. Commitment is evident between the two men as sacrifice and support bring them together. Empathy and commitment ensure the foundation of trust between Philoctetes and Neoptolemus. Trust requires effort and mutual understanding for it to exist between human beings.