Monday, April 18, 2011

O is for Orpheus

Orpheus's story is romantic and tragic. Blessed by the God's with a lyre and a beautiful singing voice, Orpheus charmed the nymph Eurydice. They fell in love and married. But the gods were jealous. Eurydice was bitten by a poisonous snake and sent to the Underworld.
Orpheus charged into the Underworld to retrieve his beloved. The sound of his lovelorn songs touched Hades who made him a strange deal.
“Orpheus, take your Eurydice and bring her to the world of the living. But you must walk ahead and leave her to follow you without you looking back even for a second, your beloved will be lost here again and forever”.

Happily the two lovers fled hell, Orpheus in the lead. But the way was dark and rocky. Just as sunlight streamed ahead of them Eurydice stumbled and cried out in pain. Orpheus turned to help her and she was dragged away from him forever into the darkness of the Underworld.

My favorite modern adaptation of this story is Moulin Rouge. Great stories never die-- they just change clothes. (=

9 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sounds a bit like the story of Lot's wife in the Bible as well.

Angie Paxton said...

I love love love the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. One of my favorite myths.

Anonymous said...

So sad, but "Come what may," I love it. :)

TS Hendrik said...

I second what Alex said, it does sound a bit like Lot's wife.

I also love that line, "great stories never die-- they just change clothes."

Catherine Denton said...

So close... :(
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Anonymous said...

Before today, if I was asked about Orpheus, you would have gotten a blank stare. Thanks for the enlightenment!

Karen M. Peterson said...

I'm not familiar enough with the original story, but I do love what you said about great stories just changing clothes. So true!

Phoenix said...

Such a great story. I think the motto here is: If you're in hell, keep moving forward, no looking back! :)

Wendy@FabNouveau said...

Oh how I love mythology and its the first I've ever heard of this one. Its my kind of love story, is there a book you can refer me to that tells it in its original version. I'mm be googling in the mean time.