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Alcestis (Classical Civilizations Play Analysis)
7
By: Lauren Bech-Hansen, Mikaela Holder, Megan Schumacher, Katie Tsafatinos
The “farewell to Alcestis” is a tragedy, with some comedic elements written by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides.
It was first produced at the Athens City Dionysia dramatic festival in 438 BCE, at which it won second prize.
It is the oldest surviving work by Euripides, although at the time of its first performance he had already been producing plays for about 17 years.
Zeus kills Apollo's son, and in his anger, Apollo kills the cyclopes. In penance, Apollo is forced to be the slave of Admetus, the king of Thessaly. Apollo helps Admetus cheat death once before, but when death comes for Admetus again, Apollo can only bargain to avoid his destined demise. It is decided that someone must agree to die in Admetus' place, for Admetus to continue with his life. Both his parents refuse the request, and only his beautiful, young wife Alcestis agrees. The citizens of Pherae (The Chorus) come to see if Alcestis will live, but the maid announces that she is dying. Alcestis says goodbye to her children, and as death is taking her away she begs Admetus not to remarry, so the kids do not have an uncaring stepmother. Admetus vows never to marry, and will resent his parents and cherish her memory. Alcestis dies, and Admetus declares public mourning. Hercules enters at this point, on his way to tame the flesh-eating horses of Diomedes. Hercules inquires as to why Admetus is mourning, and Admetus is very vague about the death of his wife and Hercules assumes that she is still alive. Hercules is invited to stay with Admetus, and acts as a crude house guest in a time of mourning. He says to the servant who calls him out, "Death is an obligation we all must pay: we should enjoy today and forget our troubles." The servant reveals that it is Alcestis who has died, and Hercules then vows to get her back from death. Hercules battles with death, and wins. He brings Alcestis back to Admetus as a prize won in an athletic competetion and everyone lived happily ever after.
Apollo
- son of Zeus and Ledo
- God of prophecy, music and healing
- opens play, introduces setting, plot
- tells prophecy which gives away the plot of the play
Death
- "Thanatos"
- outside Admetus' house to take Alcestis
Chorus
- chorus is citizens of Pherae
Maid
- attendent of Alcestis
- Praises her virtuous mistress
Alcestis
- Wife of Admetus
- Daughter of Pelias
- Sacrifies her own life to save Admetus'
Admetus
- King of Thessaly
- Husband of Alcesetis
- Devasted that Alcestis is dying/dies
Boy - "Emuelus"- Son fo Admetus and AlcestisHeracles - Son of Zeus, hero- House guest in Admetus' house- Brings Alcestis back from the underworldPheres- Admetus' father- Could have take son's place and died for him instead of AlcestisServant - Admetus' servantGirl - Daughter of Admetus and Alcestis - Silent characternd Alcestis - Silent character