A Comparative Study on Alcestis and Crazy Demerol Based on Immortality Archetype

There are many stories which have been created on archetype of immortality and transmitted to us mouth to mouth or in literal forms. Alcestis by Euripides and legend of Crazy Demerol are two examples which despite of cultural differences, have many similarities. The main question is in what context do the two worlds share and differentiate? What are the similarity and different aspects of these two works? This research is based on a descriptive-analytical method and data collection is done through library method. Findings show that despite of similarity in subject and endings, narrative process of two story are different. Alcestis narration is based on back-story and Aristotle unity. Play begins with Alcestis’ testament and ends with returning her by Heracles. But in Demerol the whole story is told in a linear way from the beginning, and there is no back-story related to the events. Demerol encounters with death-angel and beg him to let him alive and his wife sacrifices herself for him. Their titles show that, Demerol comes from a patriarchal culture because the name of the man entitled the story despite of woman’s devotion. But in Alcestis the woman's name is on title of the play. This point also attributed to author's (Euripides) point of view and also indicates to Iranian and Greek cultural differences. Finally by his begging to god, he forgive them. This comparative study shows that one single subject in two different story in two different cultures may have different components and functions as well.