Apollo has arranged that Admetus can avoid his death, if he can persuade someone else to die in his place. Only his wife, Alcestis, is agreeable, and the fatal day has now arrived. Death arrives to claim his victim. The dying Alcestis requests a favour of her husband: that he not marry again. He promises not only not to marry but to banish all entertainment and joy from his palace. After her death his friend Heracles arrives, expecting hospitality. Over the objections of the chorus, Admetus welcomes him, keeping secret the death of his wife. After a vicious interchange between Admetus and his father Pheres, whom Admetus had expected would die in his place, the funeral procession moves off. A drunken Heracles emerges, but sobers up rapidly when he learns the truth from a servant. Admetus returns from the funeral, realizing that he has made no good bargain in accepting Apollo’s favour, that Alcestis in death is happier than he in life. Heracles returns leading a veiled woman, whom he hands over to a reluctant Admetus. She turns out to be Alcestis, rescued by Heracles by wrestling with Death for her life.