Alcestis by Euripides (438)
The play revolves around the story of a king's wife who offers to die in her husband's place to save his life. Alcestis agrees to sacrifice herself after her husband Admetus learns that he will soon die due to a prophecy. Admetus' parents try to persuade him to change his mind, but he refuses to abandon his wife. Alcestis then volunteers to take his place in death, and the king's servants are instructed to prepare her for burial. As the play progresses, Heracles arrives at Admetus' palace, unaware of what has transpired. He is shocked when he learns that Alcestis has died and is being prepared for burial. Heracles tries to persuade the gods to return Alcestis from the dead, but they refuse. However, Heracles manages to negotiate with Thanatos, the god of death, who agrees to release Alcestis back to the world. The play ends with Alcestis returning to her husband and their reunion is celebrated by the other characters in the play.
By Euripides · First published 438 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Mythology · 13,485 words
First lines
Alcestis was first produced at the City Dionysia festival in 438 BC as the final part of a tetralogy of unconnected plays in the competition of tragedies, for which Euripides won second prize. It is most likely the oldest surviving work by Euripides, although at the time of its first performance he had been producing plays for seventeen years.
What this Textopian page supports
Alcestis is listed on Textopian as a play by Euripides, dated 438 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Euripides
- Date: 438 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Drama, Mythology, Philosophical, Romance
- Length: 13,485 words
- Structure: 1 section, 342 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Alcestis by Euripides
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Alcestis?
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Similar titles
- Iphigenia At Aulis by Euripides
- Admetus And Alcestis by James Baldwin
- Helen by Euripides
- Hecuba by Euripides
- Eurydice by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Orpheus by Edith Wharton
Genres
- Tragedy — The work explores themes of sacrifice, love, and death, characteristic of tragic narratives.
- Drama — The play is structured for performance, focusing on character interactions and emotional conflicts.
- Mythology — It draws on mythological elements and characters from Greek mythology.
- Philosophical — The themes provoke contemplation on life, death, and the nature of love.
Tags
Tragedy · Greek Drama · Mythology · Family Conflict · Love Story · Sacrifice · Mourning · Grief · Loss · Fate vs Free Will · Human Condition · Philosophical Themes