Greek mythology · 3 chapters

Alcestis: Death by Choice

She volunteers to die in her husband's place, and death loses

King Admetus has won a remarkable boon from Apollo: he may escape death if someone volunteers to die in his place. When the day comes, his elderly parents refuse. His young wife Alcestis steps forward. She dies. The household mourns. Then Heracles arrives, not knowing what has happened. He is told only that the household has suffered a bereavement. When he discovers Alcestis herself has died, and that he was entertained generously in a house of fresh grief, he is ashamed. He goes to the tomb, wrestles Death (Thanatos) himself, and brings Alcestis back. She does not speak for three days, she must be gradually restored to the living world. The story asks: what does voluntary death mean? What is owed by those saved?

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