Alceste, by Galdós. Mythological tragicomedy romantic-costumbrista-politico-religious

Abstract

Alceste is based on the tragedy of Euripides, with enough fidelity, but establishing changes that correspond to constants in Galdós' ideology and feelings. Here Galdós (equally combining tragedy and comedy) finds a source of inspiration to express concerns, ideals, characters, behaviors, which, although transferred to distant mythical Greece, reflect his lively actuality and the Spanish political context. He is still the realistic observer who portrays and parodies different types of society; he is still the author interested in politics and religion; he is still the brilliant portraitist of women (his female characters tend to stand out especially, like those of Euripides); he is still, above all, the man with a big heart and spirituality who paints characters that are the essence of goodness.