Kto się boi Alkestis czyli Eurypidesa „kobieta bez złudzeń”
Who's Afraid of Alcestis, or Euripides’ “Woman of No Illusions”

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present ancient and modern interpretations of the character of Alcestis in Euripides’ play. The analysis focuses on the understanding of family duties and the consequences of respecting or violating philia in the Greek oikos. A detailed examination of the demeanour of both Admetus and Alcestis shows how the family relationships are being gradually and irremediably destroyed. The Euripidean version of the myth ends, in my opinion, in the tragic collapse of the House of Admetus, and the presumed laetus exitus is a way of avoiding the final presentation of the real (and obvious for the audience) repercussions of Alcestis’s death and return.

• Details
• Contents