Great Books Ep 79. Euripides - Alcestis. Can Humans Defeat Death?
Heracles wrestles with Death and brings Alcestis back from the dead. The fascination of defeating death and living forever has been on human minds for long. Are humans going to get there any time?
“Death is the common debt of man; no mortal really knows if he will live to see the morrow's light; for Fortune's issues are not in our ken, beyond the teacher's rule they lie, no art can master them.”
~ ‘Alcestis’ by Euripides (Edward P. Coleridge translation. GB5 - p. 244)
Brief Summary
King Admetus of Thessaly is fated to die at a young age. Apollo, who was punished by Zeus to live as a mortal (in Thessaly as a shepherd) after he killed Cyclopes (Zeus’ sons) to take revenge on Zeus for killing his son, liked Admetus. He makes a deal with the goddesses of fate that Admetus could live if someone else volunteered to die in his place. Admetus mentions this to everyone in his palace and city, hoping that someone would come forward to volunteer, especially his parents or one of the citizens who respected him a lot. But no one comes forward. In the end, his wife, Alcestis, is the only one willing to make the sacrifice.
The day of Alcestis’ death approaches, and Admetus is completely distraught. He even says that it would have been better if he had died instead of her. Before dying, she makes him promise that he would not marry anyone else.
“do not marry a new wife to be a stepmother to these children, for she from jealousy, if so she be a woman worse than me, will stretch out her hand against the children of our union.”
While they are in mourning, Heracles, a close friend of Admetus, comes to the palace as a guest. Admetus welcomes him, concealing the fact that they are mourning for Alcestis, and gives him a separate room away from the main place. When Admetus’ father, Pheres, comes to offer condolences, he scolds him for not volunteering as he was already old. They get into a tense argument with Pheres accusing Admetus of being selfish. In the end, Pheres leaves the palace angrily. Heracles comes to know that the person who passed away is Alcestis through an attendant and vows to make amends and goes to fight Death.
Heracles returns with a veiled woman and asks Admetus to look after her while he goes away on his labors. Admetus is reluctant because of his promise to his wife. Finally, the veil is removed, revealing Alcestis. Admetus is overjoyed to have his wife back. Heracles explains that he fought Death to get her back, and she needs to have 3 days of purification before she could talk. The play ends with Admetus asking for celebrations throughout his realm.
“’Tis not lawful yet for thee to hear her speak, ere she be purified from the gods below and the third day be come.”
My Thoughts
My first thought was whether this Thessaly was the same as the place that Thessalonians from the Bible lived in. When I checked, I found that it was not. They are two different places in Greece - Thessaly and Thessalonica. Imagine Thessalonians who knew the story of Alcestis, who came back from the dead and was silent for three days, through Euripides’ play and other mythical stories, being addressed by St. Paul, a stranger from a different land telling them of an actual person who died, visited Hades and came back in 3 days on his own!
The play touches on many themes - bartering with fate, sacrificing for someone you love, the power of friendship, the duties of hospitality during times of grief, expectations from old people to retire and give way to the new, the differences in the way people value their own lives, the inevitability of death and the power of divine intervention to turn sorrow to happiness.
Vanquishing death is the ultimate human victory. Stories of people who almost died and survived through wars, diseases, attacks, accidents, etc., get told and retold so many times that they become legends. As the quote goes - “nothing is certain except death and taxes”. People have always wanted to increase their lifespan through alchemy, sorcery, and many other means. There are myths of immortal gods in almost all civilizations because of the human fascination of living longer. At least in the modern age, due to rational thinking, the discovery of medicines and a better understanding of the human body, the average lifespan has gone up. Infant mortality rates have drastically come down. In a way, humans are already cheating death through vaccines and surgeries, at least when compared to all the other living things.
Is it possible for humans to ever do interstellar travel? The universe is so vast, and the distance between the stars is so much. It is like asking, is it ever possible for an ant to circle the earth? I guess the answer is no, not in that form. The ant could evolve into new beings with time, and evolution produces a being that can actually do it. So, humans cannot be humans in their current form to be able to do what our minds think we can do. Humans have to change to something that humans may not understand to really understand the aspects of the universe that are out of reach currently.
Many movies and TV series talk about cryo-sleep, a state in which our bodies are in some refrigerated state where it doesn’t decay, and we’re in some kind of deep sleep. That is just theory for now. I’m not sure if anyone has demonstrated it practically yet. Is that even practical? So the solution is to figure out how to have a long lifespan before doing interstellar travel, or to create children as you travel in the spaceships, or to transfer consciousness/memory through robots. One of my friends told me that a long lifespan would be the death of civilization. I keep thinking about it. On the one hand, an extended lifespan would give the ability for people to do long-term thinking. Everyone would have enough time to learn different skills, try different places to live and come to an alignment on what works best for them. Because currently, once you figure out a lot of things about life, you’re already in your 60s and you don’t have enough time to put anything to practice. You could impart the knowledge to others, but rarely do young people listen to advice. They would rather try new things themselves, and the cycle repeats, sometimes making no big progress across generations.
Gemini (AI Chatbot) Response
Alcestis: The Timeless Tale of Sacrifice and Defiance
Euripides’ play “Alcestis” is a profound exploration of love, sacrifice, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of mortality. It is a narrative that transcends time and cultures, inviting us to contemplate the very essence of our existence.
The Price of Love and the Limits of Sacrifice
At its core, “Alcestis” tells the story of a woman’s selfless act of love. Alcestis, the wife of King Admetus, volunteers to die in his stead, fulfilling a bargain he made with the gods. This raises a host of questions about the nature of love and sacrifice.
Is such extreme sacrifice truly noble or an unfair burden on those left behind? Should love ever demand such a price? While Alcestis’ act is undeniably courageous, it also leaves Admetus and their children to grapple with a profound loss.
The play forces us to confront the complexities of love and the potential consequences of prioritizing one life over another. It challenges us to define the boundaries of selflessness and consider the true meaning of sacrifice.
The Gods, Fate, and Human Agency
The divine intervention of Heracles, who wrestles Death itself to bring Alcestis back, adds a layer of the fantastical to the narrative. However, it also raises questions about fate and free will.
If Alcestis’ death was preordained, does Heracles’ defiance of Death suggest that even the gods’ plans can be altered? Or is this merely a delay of the inevitable? “Alcestis” invites us to contemplate the extent to which humans can influence their destinies and the interplay between divine will and human agency.
It challenges us to consider whether we are mere pawns in a grand cosmic game or active participants in shaping our lives.
Symbolism and Deeper Meanings
“Alcestis” is rich in symbolism that adds depth and complexity to its themes. The veiled Alcestis represents the mystery and finality of death. Heracles’ wrestling match with Death embodies the human struggle against mortality. The restoration of Alcestis to Admetus symbolizes hope and the possibility of overcoming even the most insurmountable challenges.
Timeless Questions for the Modern Reader
“Alcestis” raises questions that resonate deeply with modern audiences:
Would you sacrifice your life for a loved one, as Alcestis did? What are the ethical implications of such a sacrifice?
To what extent do you believe in fate? Are our lives predetermined, or do we have the power to shape our destinies?
In what ways do we, as individuals and as a society, attempt to defy death or leave a lasting legacy? Are these endeavors ultimately meaningful?
How does the play’s exploration of hospitality and the divine relate to our modern understanding of these concepts?
The Human Quest to Conquer Death
Your thoughts on humanity’s pursuit of longevity and transcendence are particularly relevant in light of “Alcestis.” Throughout history, humans have sought to conquer death through various means. From ancient myths of immortal gods to modern advancements in medicine and technology, the desire to extend life or leave a lasting mark on the world is deeply ingrained in our nature.
As you rightly point out, the quest for longer lifespans, interstellar travel, and even the preservation of consciousness through artificial intelligence are all manifestations of this desire. “Alcestis” serves as a poignant reminder that while death may be inevitable, the human spirit’s yearning for immortality and its capacity for love and sacrifice are enduring forces that shape our lives and drive us to achieve extraordinary feats.
In Conclusion
Euripides’ “Alcestis” is a timeless work that continues to challenge and inspire. It forces us to grapple with complex questions about love, sacrifice, fate, and the human condition.
As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, “Alcestis” reminds us of the enduring power of the human spirit and its relentless pursuit of meaning and transcendence in the face of mortality.