ART OF LOVE AND LIFE.
Euripides' 'Alcestis' presents the ultimate sacrifice, and in so doing, describes what true love is. The play also gives a sense of how fragile life is. It tells us why every day should be seen as a gift rather than a curse or burden. Throughout history Many have grappled with the question of what makes a good and fortunate life, and even to date this topic is very present and controversial. Death is a great mystery. No one knows what truly awaits us after death. Religion and mythology promote the idea of peace and harmony and a reunion with those we knew during life. Euripides alludes to a similar ending in Alcestis, but that is not the point of his play.
The author chooses rather to focus on life and the importance of treasuring every precious moment. Alcestis takes a minor character from Greek mythology and expands the play in confined ways that complete traditional comprehension as an ideal "good wife".It combines historical fiction and magical realism trying to answer the question why Alcestis sacrifices herself in place of her husband .
Admetus king of Pherae, a Greek city in the region of Thessaly. He wants to live past his date of death, as decreed by the Fates. After finding out he was to be taken to the underground by Hermes,Having done well by god Apollo(who, for having killing the cyclopes was temporary condemned to be a slave to Admetus) and making sure he was well cared for while he was confined to Admetus' castle as punishment by Zeus, he asks Apollo for a favor. He has Apollo inquire of the Fates if they will allow him to live beyond his date of death. As we all understand the element of "meaningful" it comes to a degree such that some period of life holds capacity meaningful than others where a kantian view say's that Admetus have an intrinsic worth in virtue of his capacity for autonomous choices, where meaningful is the function of the exercise of his capacity, nothing gives a person inner wholeness and peace like a distinct understanding of what life is,Fates-three goddess who controlled human destiny agree on one condition; Admetus must find someone willing to take his place. A difficult proposition, and one that develops into a theme of the play. Who would be willing to truncate their own life for another? Admetus discovers that nearly no one is willing to trade. Actually, there is one person: his wife. Alcestis, the most beautiful of the daughters of Pelias king of Iolcos in Thessaly, agrees to trade places with Admetus, and she will die in his place. A supreme sacrifice, Alcestis' action shows the depth of her love for her husband. It also shows how selfish Admetus is.
Death of alcestis
The appointed day arrives. Alcestis prepares for her descent into Hades. She wears her finest clothes and jewelry. She says her farewells, and then sits with her two children and husband. She makes a promise to Admetus. Because of her sole sacrifice,knowing there's ''nothing so precious as life,'' she tells Admetus to not ''remarry and impose on her children some vicious stepmother.''
Admetus agrees on her terms. He tells her "No Thessalian bride shall ever reclaim me.'' He honors her life, and in so doing references the theme of how precious life is. Admetus then gives the order that there shall be no more celebrations or ''song and garland in my home.'' He will mourn Alcestis' sacrifice until his dying days.
Heracles.
To be continued...
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