Euripides? Alcestis is a drama that pulls at the heart of the reader throughout. The story follows the plight of the king and queen of Thessalia. In the story, king Admetus has been fated to die yet escapes his death with the help of Apollo whom Admetus is in alliance with. Admetus is given the chance to escape his death by finding one who will die in his stead. After Admetus? parents refuse to give their life for their son, Alcestis (Admetus? wife) comes forth and proclaims that she will die for her husband. Alcestis claims that life would be too terrible to live without her husband. After Alcestis submits her life, Admetus realizes the pain of his decision and falls into deep mourning. In a turn of events, Admetus? friend Heracles decides to rescue Alcestis from the underworld and he returns her to the king.
To address the question of whether or not the drama is a comedy or a tragedy is a difficult task because the tale draws on both themes. For this reason, I would assert that Alcestis is a tragicomedy, or a play that blends aspects of both genres. First we will look at the tragedy of the drama. .
The tragedy seems to begin right away with the downfall of Alcestis illustrated first by the conversation between Death and Apollo. The reader is hoping that Apollo will convince death not to take Alcestis? life, but Death is firm with his claim:.
The woman goes with me to Hades? house. I go.
To take her now, and dedicate her with my sword,.
For all whose hair is cut in consecration.
By this blade's edge are devoted to the gods below. (73-76).
The tragedy theme is set by Euripides, Alcestis is set to die. The citizens are all sad, for Alcestis is a well loved queen. Admetus grieves for his wife before she is taken, and the reader feels even more pain when Euripides lets us know that the children will be left motherless.
The next tragic theme is that of Admetus being left without a wife, while he is shamed into realizing the selfishness that had overcome him.
