The scene settles down into
the 'Forensic Contest,' a fixed feature of every Greek Tragedy, in
which the 'case' of the hero and the opposition to it are brought out
with all the formality of a judicial process, the long rheses
representing advocates' speeches, the stichomuthic dialogue suggesting
cross-examination, and the Chorus interposing as moderators_.
_Pheres_ in the tone of conventional consolation speaks of the virtues
of the dead, and the special virtue of Alcestis's sacrifice, which has
saved her husband's life, and himself from a childless old age; it is
meet then that he should do honor to the corpse. _Attendants of
Admetus advance to receive the presents: Admetus waves them back and
stands coldly confronting his father. At last he speaks._ His father
is an uninvited guest at this funeral feast, and unwelcome: the dead
shall never be arrayed in his gifts. Then was the time for his father
to show kindness when a life was demanded: and yet he could stand aloof
and let a younger die! He will never believe himself the son of so
mean and abject a soul.
Pages:
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152