Alcestis | Study Guide

Euripides

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Study Guide
Contents
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Course Hero. "Alcestis Study Guide." Course Hero. 2 Mar. 2020. Web. 2 July 2022. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alcestis/>.

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Course Hero. (2020, March 2). Alcestis Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved July 2, 2022, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alcestis/

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Course Hero. "Alcestis Study Guide." March 2, 2020. Accessed July 2, 2022. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alcestis/.

Footnote

Course Hero, "Alcestis Study Guide," March 2, 2020, accessed July 2, 2022, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alcestis/.

Overview

Author

Euripides

First Performed

438 BCE

Type

Play

Genre

Drama, Mythology

About the Title

Alcestis is the main female character in the play. Her husband, King Admetus, is fated for death, but Alcestis has volunteered to die in his place. Her death will earn the king endless life—but also infinite loneliness.

Diagrams

Spouses Father Former herdsman Victor Rescuer Guide Guest and friend Admetus King of Pherae; hospitable but selfish Heracles Legendary Greek warrior with an appetite for wine; enjoys life; heroic Alcestis Queen of Pherae; honorable and self-sacrificing woman Death Conductor of souls to Hades Apollo God of crops and herds Pheres Former king of Pherae
Character Map
timeline
Timeline
plot-diagram
Plot Diagram

Summary

This study guide for Euripides's Alcestis offers summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Explore Course Hero's library of literature materials, including documents and Q&A pairs.

Characters

Admetus Alcestis Heracles Chorus

Symbols

Light Darkness Marriage Bed Statue of Alcestis

Themes

Self-Sacrifice and Heroism The Physicality of Marriage Obligations of Guests and Hosts
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Context
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