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THE TERM ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ IN EURIPIDES' ALCESTIS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2014

Efi Papadodima
Efi Papadodima*
Affiliation:
University of [email protected]
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Extract

The story of Alcestis and Admetus as dramatised in Euripides' Alcestis involves the exploration of prominent, as well as interconnected, moral values and cultural norms which affect or define all major parties. The most pertinent ones are those of friendship (φιλία) and guest-friendship (ξενία), goodwill and gratitude (χάρις), nobility (εὐγένεια, γενναιότης), shame or respect (αἰδώς), reverence towards the gods (εὐσέβεια), and honour (τιμή). The notion of ἐλευθερία (‘freedom’) in particular, though not featuring frequently in the play, proves to be a motif which itself works towards the definition or reassessment of the boundaries of friendship (and enmity) within a plot which blurs, complicates or even disturbs the terms of the most familiar and deep-rooted bonds (parentage, marriage, guest-friendship).

Type
Research Article
Information
Ramus , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , December 2014 , pp. 134 - 151
Copyright
Copyright © Aureal Publications 2014 

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