| Synopsis: |
Alcestis presents the story of the wife of Admetus, who according to Greek mythology sacrificed her own life in order to bring him back from the dead. The King of Pherae in Thessaly, Admetus, marries Alcestis, the daughter of Pelias, King of Iolcus. On their wedding day, Admetus offends the goddess Artemis and is thus condemned to an early death. Apollo, indebted to Admetus, intervenes, extracting a promise from the Fates that at the appointed time of death, they will accept a willing substitute in Admetus's place. With no one else willing to sacrifice themselves, Alcestis prepares to give up her life for her husband. Luckily, Heracles shows up just in time to wrestle with death, defeating him and allowing the Alcestis and Admetus to live happily ever after. |
