The return of Alcestis

Name: The return of Alcestis
Author: Laurence Housman

By Laurence Housman

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Mythology, Legends & Folklore Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A household prepares a nuptial feast after Alcestis is brought back from the dead to her husband's chamber, where ritual figures and choruses attempt celebratory rites. Though her body appears unhurt, she remains unresponsive to speech and ceremony, prompting anguished reflection from her nurse, attendants, and the assembled women and men on life, death, and the meaning of return. The drama contrasts joyful ritual with eerie stillness and concentrates on domestic bonds—marriage, motherhood, and communal mourning—until the arrival of her children supplies the human impulse that begins to restore her maternal recognition.

About the Author

Laurence Housman

Laurence Housman was an English playwright, poet, and illustrator, known for his contributions to Victorian literature. He was the brother of the more famous A.E. Housman and carved out his own niche with works that often explored themes of love, morality, and social issues. His notable plays include "Angels and Ministers, and Other Victorian Plays" and "Bethlehem: A Nativity Play," which reflect his interest in both the theatrical and the spiritual. Housman's writing is characterized by its lyrical quality and a deep engagement with the human experience, making him a significant figure in the literary heritage of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.