Prologue (1-76) Apollo, Thanatos (Death)

• Hospitality and salvation

Parodos (77-135)

• Death, mourning -- resurrection
• Hope and despair

First Episode (136-212) Chorus, serving woman

• Living and dead -- perfection of Alcestis

First Stasimon (213-243)

• Life and death -- prayers for salvation

Second Episode (244-434) Alcestis, Admetus, [children--mute]

• Farewells, marriage, life in death, death in life
• promises: the "deconstruction" of Admetus

Second Stasimon (435-475)

• Perfection of Alcestis, music/Orpheus, marriage

Third Episode (476-567) Heracles, Admetus

• Human modalities, hospitality, life and death, Knowledge

Third Stasimon (568-605)

• Heroic hospitality of Admetus, Apollo as Orpheus

Fourth Episode (606-860)

• Admetus, Pheres: father-son, house, property, obligation, value of life
• Empty stage, departure of chorus
• Heracles, serving man: value of life

Kommos (861-961) Admetus, chorus

• Loss, house, Admetus’ education, marriage

Fourth Stasimon (962-1005)

• Nothing is stronger than necessity -- Hope/despair: Orphic images
• Worship, heroization of Alcestis

Exodos (1006-1163) Admetus, Heracles [Alcestis, mute]

• friendship, hospitality >>> "wedding" >>> a better life