We see, in a kind of Prologue, Apollo leaving the house of Admetos and Death coming to claim his victim.

Admetos has asked his father, mother, relations and servants to die instead of him.

None will do it; but his wife, Alkestis, does.
Admetos accepts her sacrifice.

Her dying, her death, the sorrow of Admetos is described with all the poignant humanity of Euripides.

In the meantime Herakles has come on the scene, and Admetos, though steeped in grief, conceals--his wife's death and welcomes his friend to his house.
As Alkestis is the heroine of self-sacrifice, Admetos is the hero of hospitality.