The Alcestis of Euripides | 
pickThis play features a fierce & deeply disconcerting exchange between Admetus & his father, which goes something like:
Admetus: "You're old & my dad & you're not offering yourself in my place to die?"
Admetus' Dad: "Whoever said that parents had to do that? It's not written anywhere in our laws!"
Admetus: "But...you're old? You've lived enough?!"
Admetus' Dad: "Oh ho! I gave you life, you jerk! It's you who has to die; yet, you plan to live!" ?
batsy So, the wife offers herself to Death. This had a bit of a metaphysical plot twist, which makes it kind of a tragedy, & not quite a satyr play (a tragicomedy) but more of a problem play. The way Heracles goes about his business is wild. Somewhat batshit. I'm all for it! He pretty much steals the limelight away from the so-called "grieving" husband, Admetus. Since we're in Aries season, I will say that it's big Aries energy from Heracles here. 2y
batsy I read the Richmond Lattimore translation. The painting is Hercules (Heracles) and Alcestis, by Eugene Delacroix (1862). 2y
bthegood Love your paraphrase and your summary - thanks 🙂 (edited) 2y
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DivineDiana Now, that‘s a crazy story! 😜 2y
batsy @bthegood Thank you! 😁 2y
batsy @DivineDiana Yup, nutty as only the ancients could be 😆 2y
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