Alfred Schöne, for instance, fixing his attention on just those points which the conventional critic passed over, decides simply that the Alcestis is a parody, and finds it very funny.

Alcestis shall be celebratedand no doubt worshipped at certain full-moon feasts in Athens and Sparta, especially at the Carneia, a great Spartan festival held at the full moon in the month Carneios (August-September).

The Alcestis is a very clear instance of this Pro-satyric class of play.