Alcestis (Greek Tragedy in New Translations) [Paperback]

Euripides (Author), William Arrowsmith (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0195061667 | ISBN-13: 978-0195061666

At once a vigorous translation of one of Euripides' most subtle and witty plays, and a wholly fresh interpretation, this version reveals for the first time the extraordinary formal beauty and thematic concentration of the Alcestis. William Arrowsmith, eminent classical scholar, translator, and General Editor of this highly praised series, rejects the standard view of the Alcestis as a psychological study of the egotist Admetos and his naive but devoted wife. His translation, instead, presents the play as a drama of human existence--in keeping with the tradition of Greek tragedy--with recognizably human characters who also represent masked embodiments of human conditions. The Alcestis thus becomes a metaphysical tragicomedy in which Admetos, who has heretofore led a life without limitations, learns to "think mortal thoughts." He acquires the knowledge of limits--the acceptance of death as well as the duty to live--which, according to Euripides, makes people meaningfully human and capable of both courage and compassion. This new interpretation compellingly argues that, for Euripides, suffering humanizes, that exemption makes a man selfish and childish, and that only the courage to accept both life and death leads to the realization of one's humanity, and, in the case of Alcestis, to heroism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The thoughtful introduction and notes will attract the intelligent reader. The translation itself is accurate and of high Literary quality."--Patricia P. Matsen, University of South Carolina

"A fine translation with very useful introduction, notes, and glossary."--Diane Arnson Svarlien, Georgetown College

"Translations should be readable poetry in their own right. DiPiero succeeds and is honest about how he does it."--Haydn Lewis Gilmore, Marywood College

"I like this edition better than the Chicago translation."--Nancy Evans, Smith College

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

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Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195061667
• ISBN-13: 978-0195061666
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #947,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Offer you this treat!, September 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Alcestis (Greek Tragedy in New Translations) (Paperback)

Alcestis was the first Greek tragedy I read, and it is still the one I love most, though Ajax and both Iphigenias are tough competitors. Heracles, a.k.a. Hercules, accepts hospitality at a home where, unknown to him, the housewife, Alcestis, is being mourned. He drinks and raises hell (the pun will be noticed by he who reads the play!). Informed of the tragedy, much embarrassed, he decides to add a new task to his tight schedule: bringing back the lady. This is a tragedy that ends well. Actually, it runs well all the time, being one of the greatest creation of human imagination.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The closest thing we have to a Greek satyr play, February 3, 2003

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alcestis (Greek Tragedy in New Translations) (Paperback)

"Alcestis" is the oldest surviving play of Euripides, although he had been writing tragedies for almost twenty years when it was written. Apparently it ws the fourth play in a tetralogy, taking the place of the ribald satyr play which traditionally followed a series of three tragedies. Consequently, this play has more of a burlesque tone, best represented in the drunken speech of Heracles to the butler and his teasing of Admetus at the end. So while "Alcestis" is a tragedy, it does offer up an unusal happy ending.

In Greek mythology Alcestis was the daughter of Pelias and wife of Admetus, an Argonaut and the king of Pherae. In Western literature Alcestis is the model wife, for when her husband is to die she alone agrees to die in his place. However, the key in this drama is how Admetus finds this sacrifice totally acceptable. Admetus is represented as a good and honorable man, but then his ethos is established in this play by the god Apollo in the opening scene, and even though it was written later it is hard not to remember the expose Euripides did on the god of truth in "Ion." Euripides adds a key twist in that Alcestis agrees to the sacrifice before she fully understands that her husband will suffer without her. She is brought back from the underworld by Heracles and restored to her relieved husband, but the play clearly characterizes Admetus as a selfish man and it is this view that other writers have imitated every since.

The story of Alcestis has been addressed by more modern writers from Chaucer and Milton to Browning and Eliot. The sacrifice of Alcestis has also been the subject of several operas. "Alcestis" is not a first rate play by Euripides, but it does represent both his cynicism and his attempt to make the audience confront the problematic elements of its belief system. So while I would not teach "Alcestis" by itself, in conjunction with other play by Euripides, specifically "Ion," it can definitely have value in class.