Herakles feasts, but the indignant bearing of an old servant attracts his notice, and he finds out the truth.

He is shocked, but resolves to attack Death himself, who is bearing away Alkestis.

He meets and conquers Death and brings back Alkestis alive to her husband.
So the strong man conquers the Fates, whom even Apollo could not subdue.
This is a fine subject.

Every one can see in how many different ways it may be treated, with what different conceptions, how variously the characters may be built up, and what different ethical and emotional situations may be imaginatively treated in it.

Racine himself thought it the finest of the Greek subjects, and began a play upon it.