Old Men and Action
Amphitryon attempts to plead with Lykos for his life and the lives of Megora and her sons. He believes he can convince the tyrant to be reasonable. However, Amphitryon knows that he will not be, he only pleads as his old age doesn't allow him the ability to physically stop Lykos. Megora sees her father-in-law's attempt as a weakness in ideology, that waiting is not an option for her, only action will cause any favorable outcome, even if that outcome is a heroic execution rather than a cowardly death.
The gods and humanity
Heracles, the half-son of Zeus is in Hades completing his final labour while his family is in Thebes with their lives on the line. He arrives in time to save them, but the goddess Iris comes to put a tragic twist on the tale which ends in Heracles slaughtering his family. Euripedes creates a world where man, or even half-god does not have the ability to truly set his course, only the gods can determine life and death. And it is the actions of the god Zeus (having a son with a human woman) that causes this great tragedy, not Heracles as Iris acts on behalf of Hera's (Zeus goddess wife) hatred for Heracles.
Hope
The Chorus of Old Men cry out to the audience members to stop Lykos from killing Megora and her sons. They seek this foreigner to be stopped as does Amphitryon, Heracles human father who still believes that his son will arrive from Hades to save them all. It is Amphitryon's hope that allows us to believe that there is a chance for their survival; after all, Heracles is the greatest champion in all the land. This hope is eventually fulfilled in Heracles' return.
