Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
XXIII: Achelous and Hercules—Admetus and Alcestis—Antigone—Penelope explained
The chapter recounts four mythological tales: the wrestling match between the river-god Achelous and Hercules for Dejanira, resulting in the origin of the Cornucopia; the story of Admetus and Alcestis, where Alcestis volunteers to die for h
What happens
The chapter recounts four mythological tales: the wrestling match between the river-god Achelous and Hercules for Dejanira, resulting in the origin of the Cornucopia; the story of Admetus and Alcestis, where Alcestis volunteers to die for her husband and is rescued by Hercules; the tragic fate of Antigone and her family, including the war of the Seven against Thebes; and the fidelity of Penelope awaiting Ulysses.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Hercules' labors, including his wrestling with Achelous and his rescue of Alcestis, exemplify heroic deeds that overcome natural and supernatural obstacles.
Love and Transformation
Alcestis' self-sacrifice for Admetus and Achelous' shape-shifting in his contest for Dejanira highlight love's power and physical transformation.
Fate and Free Will
The Fates' decree that Admetus must find a substitute, and the doomed fate of Oedipus' family, underscore the tension between destiny and personal choice.
Hospitality and Its Violation
Achelous entertains Theseus and his companions at his hospitable board, while the story of Erisichthon (told earlier) involves violation of hospitality.
Characters to notice
- Hercules
Conquers the river-god Achelous in a wrestling match for Dejanira, later rescues Alcestis from Death.
- Admetus
King of Thessaly, husband of Alcestis, served by Apollo as a herdsman, granted reprieve from death if another dies in his stead.
- Alcestis
Wife of Admetus who volunteers to die in his place, later rescued by Hercules.
- Antigone
Daughter of Oedipus, exemplifies filial and sisterly fidelity by accompanying her blind father into exile.
- Penelope
Faithful wife of Ulysses, noted for her fidelity during his long absence.
- Phoebus Apollo
Serves Admetus as a herdsman after being punished by Jupiter for killing the Cyclopes.
- Jupiter
Launches thunderbolt at Aesculapius and later at Capaneus; punishes Apollo; origin of the Cornucopia via the goat Amalthea.
- Theseus
Guest of Achelous, hears the story of Erisichthon and the river-god's defeat by Hercules.
Key passages
“Finding that I was no match for him in the warrior's art, I resorted to others and glided away in the form of a serpent.”
Realizing I could not defeat him in combat, I transformed into a snake and slithered away.
Achelous describes his transformation during the fight with Hercules.
“Hercules, to whom no labor was too arduous, resolved to attempt her rescue. He went and lay in wait at the door of the chamber of the dying queen, and when Death came for his prey, he seized him and forced him to resign his victim.”
Hercules, undaunted by any challenge, decided to save Alcestis. He hid by her door, and when Death arrived to claim her, he grabbed Death and compelled him to release her.
Hercules' rescue of Alcestis from Death.
“Antigone, his daughter, alone shared his wanderings and remained with him till he died, and then returned to Thebes.”
Antigone, his daughter, was the only one who accompanied him in his exile and stayed with him until his death, after which she went back to Thebes.
Antigone's filial devotion to her blind father Oedipus.
