Pity
idea · 2 works · 3 mentions · 5 anchored passages
pity · be softened · compassionate · friendship · have pity · mercy · pity touched your heart · poor man · show me mercy · soft-hearted
in the texts
Philoctetes
Pity is the response elicited by Philoctetes' isolation, illness, and supplication.
These visitors, then, when they come, son, have compassionate words for me, and, perhaps moved by pity, they give me a little food or some clothing.
I believe that I, too, pity you, son of Poeas, as much as your former visitors.
For my part, I pity him when I think how, with no one to care for him, and seeing no companion’s face, but suffering eternally alone, he is plagued by fierce disease and bewildered by each need as it arises.
Ajax
Compassion toward enemies, family, and the vulnerable, tested against Ajax's rage and shame.
I know of no one, but in his misery I pity him all the same, even though he hates me, because he is yoked beneath a ruinous delusion—I think of my own lot no less than his.
Ajax, I wish that pity touched your heart as it does mine.
Pity, too, my king, your son.