At last! A RomCom on this reading list!
Just finished Euripides’ play Alcestis. A pleasant change from its gory predecessors.
Alcestis was the fluff play at the end of a series of serious plays presented together at a festival. The proper presentation of plays back then was to give a play in three parts (like the Oresteia) and then a fluffy satyre to end the event on a fun note.
Like all Greek plays thus far, Alcestis starts with a bizarre tragedy. Perfect Queen Alcestis is dying in place of her husband on the day he was fated to cross the river Styx. The god Appollo tricked the Fates into making a trade so the King could live (Apollo got them drunk in what can only be described as THE party of the ages.
The King had to ask other people to die in his place. He has asked everyone he knew (super awkward conversation much?) but shockingly no one makes the trade – except his beloved wife.
Yup, this story BOTH ends on a happy note and is less tragic than everything else on the list thus far.
Can’t you just imagine Madea giving Alcestis some advice about her decision?
GRIT BALL!!!
