Books of Titans
Books of Titans Podcast
Alcestis by Euripides Podcast
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Alcestis by Euripides Podcast

Episode 226: Expectations in Marriage & Hospitality
Hercules Fighting Death to Save Alcestis by Frederic, Lord Leighton, 1869-71 CE.

Admetus can escape Hades if he can find someone to die in his place. His wife Alcestis agrees to die for him in the ultimate sacrifice. Is she in the right? Should she have been the person to take his place? Where does that leave him if she dies?

These tragic elements are balanced with comedic release in the arrival of Heracles amidst this tremendous household grief. It turns this play about Necessity, marriage, and hospitality into a satyr drama to lessen the blow of the questions raised.

In this episode, I give a brief overview of the play, talk about the key themes, and share the one thing I’m still thinking about after reading Alcestis by Euripides.

Discussion about this podcast

Books of Titans
Books of Titans Podcast
Welcome to the Books of Titans Podcast where I (Erik Rostad) seek truth in the world’s great books. My goal is to read 200 of The Great Books over the next 10 years and share what I’m learning. I’ll talk a bit about each book, tie ideas together from a variety of genres, and share the one thing I always hope to remember from each of the Great Books.
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Erik Rostad