Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Alcestis tells the story of the queen of Thessaly and wife of Admetus. When Admetus’ death is imminent, his friend Apollo tricks the Fates into allowing Admetus to live if someone else should voluntarily take his place. But no one is willing to sacrifice themselves for the king, except his wife Alcestis. She is celebrated as the ideal queen and wife, deeply mourned by everyone. However, the Greek hero Heracles arrives, and not knowing that the queen has died, expects food, drink, and celebrations--all activities forbidden in a house of mourning. When he learns of Alcestis’ fate, Heracles resolves to fight Death himself in order to bring her back and return Thessaly to happiness and prosperity.
Show Information
- Book
- Euripides
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- Genres
- Drama, Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- Ancient Greece, Thessaly
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Alcestis is a play that defies traditional Greek categorization. Despite its happy ending, the play is not a comedy. However, it does not really follow the rules of tragedy, either. Generally, scholars and historians label Alcestis as a tragicomedy or a problem play, perhaps one of the first extant examples of the genre in Western theatre.
Euripides presented Alcestis at the City Dionysia in 438 BCE. Playwrights would enter a trilogy of plays, with an attached satyr play at the end.
to read the context for Alcestis and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
In front of the palace of Admetus, King of Thessaly, Apollo addresses the kingdom. He was forced to serve a mortal man as punishment for killing the cyclops, and now his time of atonement is complete. He revered his host, King Admetus, and when it was time for Fates to collect the king, Apollo tricked them and made them agree to take someone else in Admetus’ place. However, there is a problem: No one was willing to take Admetus’ place in death except for his wife Alcestis. As Apollo finishes
to read the plot for Alcestis and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Silent |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress