Predicament of Alcestis

Alcestis is such a drama of ancient Greece where female character has got more importance than male characters. Perhaps this was not natural in the male dominated society, but the dramatist Euripides surely tried his best to portray the character of Alcestis. If we look at the predicament of Alcestis, we will notice that this is a very interesting incident to reader or audience. We have to remember that it was a stage drama and we have to think of the emotion and reaction of the stage audience rather than readers of the book. Thus, if we look from the beginning to the end then we will notice that the predicament of Alcestis is interesting. 

At the opening of the drama, we can see that Apollo was talking to the Fates. He cheated the Fates once about the death of Admetus who was the husband of Alcestis. Because of Apollo, Alcestis must take place of Admetus in death. This is like fate for Alcestis. It is not fate because she chose her own destiny. It is her predicament and she was forced to accept the condition. She is a loving wife and even more caring mother. If she lost her husband then she would perhaps be able to marry again. But if the children lose their father then they can never get their father back. A step father is perhaps worse than having no father at all. 

She laments that Admetus’ father did not offer his life instead, since that would have been a highly noble act. By dying for his son, he would have allowed the young married couple to live out their life rather than hang on to his aged life. 

Readers get to know the physical and mental condition of Alcestis through the comment of servant. When chorus asked the servant whether Alcestis is alive or dead, she said, in response to the question, that Alcestis is on the verge of death, both living and dead, a phrase that ironically signifies her imminent shift of fate. The servant also tells the chorus that when she becomes aware that the day of her death has arrived, she bathed herself, put on fine attire, and prayed to the earth goddess that she would watch over her orphaned son and daughter, and when they are older, marry them to noble spouses. She wept uncontrollably when she bade farewell to her marriage bed. She said,

“O marriage-bed, she cried Farewell! Here once I gave my maidenhood to him; And now my life.” 

Alcestis accompanied by guards, husband and her children is taken outside so that she may look upon the light of the day one more time. Alcestis says she can see the boatman Charon. She tells Admetus how Charon is urging her impatiently to get into the boat. It indicates that death is near to her. She told Admetus,

“I now am dying in your place; though I need not have died.” 

So, in the drama, we can see that it was a time for Alcestis to die and all the events focus around this matter. She really loves her children. The sacrifice she made was more for the children rather than for her husband. 

It is clear that everyone loves Alcestis. Her husband respected her and all the servants also honored her. So, when Heracles got drunk, one servant got annoyed and told real story. Heracles fought with Death and saved Alcestis and brought her back. It shows that she was a special woman. She had great personality but in Ancient Greece, women were hardly admired for their personalities. 

Thus, the predicament of Alcestis is like a fairy tale and full of miracle. This is a drama about Alcestis and that is why her qualities are glorified. On the other hand, in the legend of Heracles, it was the mighty action of Heracles that should get more importance. It was the action, bravery and courage of Heracles that changed the predicament of Alcestis. So, the readers may get confused about who is greater- Heracles or Alcestis. To the modern readers, the sacrifice of Alcestis is something exceptional and admirable. 

Alcestis was a brave woman and also was dedicated to her husband. However, in the ancient Greece, good qualities of women were often neglected. They felt that it was a duty of a woman to be dedicated to her husband and it is natural as women were inferior to men. Alcestis was an exceptional person and that is why, she was not worried about her destiny. She could overcome and conquer life and fate. She was not afraid of dying and that is an exceptional quality in any age. She was not even a soldier. It is the job of a soldier to fight and even die if needed. But Alcestis was a mere housewife and she was braver than any soldier. 

The predicament of Alcestis has fairy tale qualities but at the same time Euripides has tried to say that we should honor woman more. We should give value to our wives more and Alcestis was a very good woman. Because she was good in the end, she got saved.