Alcestis Summary

Alcestis tells the story of the family of Admetus, king of Pherae. Admetus, before the beginning of the play, has cheated the Fates with the help of Apollo to prolong his life beyond the appointed hour of his death. Eventually, though, death does eventually come and Admetus must find someone to step in for him and die in his place or death will take Admetus. Admetus asks his older father Pheres to die for him, but Pheres, who loves life, will not do it. Eventually it is Admetus' wife, Alcestis, who agrees to die in Admetus's place. The play begins with this pact having been made and with an argument between Apollo and Death. Death is gloating that he will finally have his prize, while Apollo claims that he will find a way to rob death once again.

After this initial encounter, the...