1. Orpheus & Eurydice

2. The Tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice
Orpheus was the son of Oeagrus, a Thracian
king, and the muse Calliope. He was trained
on the lyre by Apollo, and soon his music was
as beautiful and magical as that of his teacher.
Orpheus’ music tamed wild animals, and even
trees and mountains would creep closer to
hear him play.

3. Orpheus married Eurydice, but their happiness
was short-lived. The bride stepped into
a nest of snakes and was bitten. She quickly
died from her wounds.

4. According to the poet Virgil, Orpheus
mourned Eurydice so deeply, and played
songs so sad, that all of the nymphs and gods
wept.
They convinced him to descend to the
Underworld, to fetch back his bride.

5. He traveled over the river Styx, to the very
throne room of Hades and Persephone. There
he made his appeal singing the most beautiful
song ever heard:

6. “I came for my wife’s sake, whose growing
years were taken by a snake’s venom. I
wanted to be able to bear this; I have tried to.
Love has conquered…If fate denies us this
privilege for my wife, one thing is certain: I
do not want to go back either; triumph in the
death of two.”

7. Orpheus’ playing was so beautiful, everything
stopped. Sisyphus sat down atop his
boulder, and Tantalus gave up trying to reach
the water.
Hades and Persephone
were so moved, they
called for Eurydice.

8. They told Orpheus that he could take
Eurydice, still limping from her wound, but he
must not look back at her until they had
reached the upper world.

9. As they neared the upper world, Orpheus
became more and more anxious to behold
Eurydice. Knowing he could not, he felt that
he had to look back. When he felt Eurydice
stumble behind him, his resolve crumbled and
he turned to steady her.

10. As he turned, Eurydice
faded back into the
depths of Hades,
reaching out her arms
for him even as she died
a second time.
“Dying a second time, she
complained not of her
husband, for why should
she complain of being
beloved? “

11. Orpheus begged to be allowed to cross the
river once more, but Charon drove him away.
For seven days, Orpheus sat by the bank of
the river crying for his wife.
He never loved another woman.

12. Why Does It Move Us?
Orpheus and Eurydice is a story of unfailing love.
Unlike many other stories in Ovid, the character’s downfall doesn’t come about because of his shortcomings, but rather because of his love and passion.
This destruction through the best of man adds to the tragedy.