It presents the story of Alcestis, the wife of Admetus, who according to Greek mythology sacrificed her own life in order to bring her husband back from the dead.

Why does Alcestis kill her husband?

Apollo managed to trick the Fates and made them promise that if anyone was willing to take Admetus' place in the underworld, Admetus would be allowed to live. Admetus' parents refusing to exchange places with him, it was Alcestis who asked to die in place of her husband.

Why did Alcestis sacrifice herself?

The theme of self-sacrifice is most closely associated with Alcestis. She has volunteered to die in order to allow her husband, Admetus, to live. In doing so she achieves heroic status and is often talked about in the same terms as the famous male heroes of Greek myth.