Orpheus and Eurydice By: Tomas Blakeney

Orpheus The son of one of the Muses and a Thracian Prince. His mother gave him the gift of music and Thrace, where he and the most musically inclined people lived, fostered it. His only enemies were the gods themselves. There was no limit to his power when he played his lyre and sang with his magnificent voice. No one or nothing could resist him. Rocks and trees would move and rivers would change their coarse after hearing his playing.

The Love for Eurydice No one is really told how Orpheus wooed Eurydice, but we all know not one maiden could resist his beautiful music. Therefore she fell in love with him. They were married but not for long. As Eurydice was walking in a meadow with her bridesmaids a viper stung, killed, and sent her to the underworld. Orpheus, for his love was so strong for Eurydice, was determined to go down into the underworld and get her back.

Orpheus’s Trip to the Underworld Orpheus did what no other mortal could do. He went down to the underworld. He did not die because he played and sang which tamed the dog Cerberus, Ixion stood motionless, Sisiphus sat at rest upon his stone, Tantalus forgot his thirst, and for the first time a person could see the furies faces filled with tears. The ruler Hades drew closer with his wife to listen to Orpheus’s song which said: O Gods who rule the dark and silent world, To you all born of a woman needs must come. All lovely things at last go down to you. You are the debtor who is always paid. A little while we tarry up on earth. Then we are yours forever and forever. But I seek one who came to you too soon. The bud was plucked before the flower bloomed. I tried to bear my loss. I could not bear it. Love was too strong a god, O King, you know If that old tale men tell is true, how once The flowers saw the rape of Proserpine, Then weave again for sweet Eurydice Life's pattern that was taken from the loom Too quick. See, I ask a little thing, Only that you will lend, not give, her to me. She shall be yours when her years' span is full.

Orpheus’s Trip to the Underworld No one could resist his singing so in turn the ruler of Hades granted the return of Eurydice to Orpheus if while he returned to earth not to look back until Eurydice was completely in the sun or she would be dead forever. Orpheus then begin to walk towards earth but had little faith and looked back to see if Eurydice was behind him and she then vanished into darkness and the only thing you could hear said by Eurydice while Orpheus reached for her was “Farewell”.

The Death of Orpheus After Eurydice went back down into the underworld, Orpheus tried to follow her but the gods wouldn’t let him back down a second time; therefore, he spent the rest of his life in depression playing his lyre walking in the woods with only the rocks and trees as his companions. Then one day a band of women came upon him and tore him to pieces. They tore his limbs and head off and cast his head into the river. The Muses were mournful of this tragedy and buried his head in the sanctuary of the island. They found his limbs and placed them in a tomb at the foot Mount Olympus.

Testing Your Knowledge Who were Orpheus’s parents? One of the Muses and a Thracian Prince How did Orpheus and Eurydice meet? No knows how they met. How and when did Eurydice die? A snake bit her while she was walking in a meadow after her wedding. Explain how Orpheus got past the guard dog Cerberus and convinced Hades to let Eurydice go back to earth with him. With his beautiful song Did Eurydice become alive again? No How and when did Orpheus die? A band of women tore him apart while he was walking in the woods. Who and where buried Orpheus’s head and his limbs? The Muses buried his head the islands sanctuary and laid his limbs in a tomb at the base of Mount Olympus.