Orpheus And Eurydice: A Myth About Love

The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice speaks to us of the love that manages to overcome death. It is said that Orpheus was a special being. He was the son of Apollo, god of music and the arts, and Calliope (also known as Clio), muse of poetry. These origins gave Orpheus a special gift: the gift of music.

Orpheus learned music from Apollo, his father. He developed such a mastery that Apollo himself gave him his lyre as a symbol of fatherly love. The lyre was built by Hermes using the carapace of a turtle. It is said that Orpheus played the most beautiful melodies ever heard on earth.

His talent was so great that gods and mortals were moved to tears when they listened to him play. Even the wildest creatures became meek, bewitched by his music. He was much loved by everyone. One day, he met the nymph Eurydice.

Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus led a dissolute and adventurous life. He offered to accompany the Argonauts in their search for the Golden Fleece. It is said that he saved that expedition when the sirens tried to confuse the sailors with their song. Their voices entranced the travelers and pushed them to throw themselves into the sea where they were devoured by these beings.

Orpheus used his talent to counter them. When the sirens began to sing, he took the lyre and rang. With his music (much more beautiful), he managed to cover the siren song thus saving the sailors. Only a sailor succumbed to the charm of the siren song, thus putting an end to his existence.

Orpheus and Eurydice met after that expedition. Eurydice was a very beautiful nymph. One day, Orpheus saw his image reflected in the water and fell madly in love with it. Eurydice also fell in love with Orpheus and the two got married. They lived a passionate and totally reciprocated love.

Eurydice’s death

Although Orpheus and Eurydice lived happily in their palace, she did not forget that she was a nymph. For this reason she continued to go into the woods to be in contact with the nature that was so familiar to her. One afternoon, as was his custom, he went into the woods and saw a hunter chasing a defenseless fawn. Eurydice helped the fawn to escape by unleashing the hunter’s wrath.

The man said he would forgive her as long as she agreed to kiss him, but she refused. Orpheus and Euridice were a happy couple and would never have risked destroying their happiness. The hunter then forced her to kiss him, but she ran away. While fleeing, she stepped on the head of a sleeping snake that bit her, causing her to die instantly.

When he learned of his wife’s death, Orpheus was seized with despair. However, he decided to go to the afterlife to save her. Using his lyre and his beautiful song he managed to be led – by Charon (the ferryman) and by Cerberus (guardian of the entrance to Hades) – in the presence of Persephone, queen of the underworld. She too was fascinated by his music.

Orpheus and Euridice, united forever …

Orpheus managed to find an agreement with Persephone to bring Eurydice back to life, but on one condition. During the journey out of the underworld, Orpheus would have to remain in front of Eurydice without ever turning to look at her until the sunlight would illuminate her completely. Orpheus accepted, but did not trust Persephone. He was afraid that instead of his beloved wife there was a demon behind him.

He could not resist and before leaving the cave he turned to look at his wife. But the sun had not completely illuminated Eurydice, only one foot was missing. The nymph thus disappeared from view Orpheus reaching forever the world of the dead. Orpheus’ pain was immense and he began to play music that made even the gods cry. The Bacchantes, fickle beings, fell in love with it, but Orpheus did not give in to attempts at seduction.

In revenge, the Bacchantes killed him and scattered his remains everywhere. This sad event, however, allowed Orpheus and Eurydice to meet again in the underworld. This time they would be together forever. Since then, it is possible to hear the sound of beautiful melodies floating through the woods and meadows.