This document contains notes from a classical mythology course taught by Dr. Michael Broder at the University of South Carolina on March 20, 2012. The notes discuss Euripides' play Alkestis, in which the character Admetos laments his wife Alkestis' impending death in a way that some find bizarre. Upcoming assignments are also listed, including a discussion of Euripides' play Herakles and an overview of underworld myths.

1. Introduction to
Classical Mythology
Dr. Michael Broder
University of South Carolina
March 20, 2012

2. Daily Write #17
As Alkestis prepares to die in Euripides’ play, Admetos
utters such laments as “What shall I do without you?”
(340) and “I am destroyed if you leave me” (346). As
translator Anne Carson points out, “Since he himself
has arranged for her to die in his place, these
sentiments strike us as bizarre” (p. 248). Do Admetos’
sentiments strike you as bizarre for this or any other
reason? If so, how might you explain them? If not,
how do you defend them?

3. Herakles: Identification
• Author = Euripides
– Greek
– (c. 480–406 BCE)
• Title = Herakles
• Genre = Tragedy, tragic play, tragic drama

4. Upcoming Assigments
• 3/13—Euripides, Herakles (in Grief Lessons)
• 3/15—Overview of underworld myths
– No assigned reading
• 3/20—Euripides, Alkestis (in Grief Lessons)

5. Introduction to
Classical Mythology
Dr. Michael Broder
University of South Carolina
March 20, 2012