Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus is said to be the son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope from the city of Thrace. Thrace is in the upper most corner of northeaster Greece. The people of Thrace embraced music and nurtured Orpheus throughout his childhood. There was no match to Orpheus’ music in the mortal world; only the gods were comparable. When Orpheus played his music, no one could resist him. Throughout his childhood, Orpheus pursued both poetry and music. He became very skilled at the lyre. When his melodious voice accompanied his music it made him very irresistible. It is stated in some Greek text that Orpheus’ music caused human, beasts and inanimate objects to yearn his closeness. This yearning is said to have moved rivers and rocks to be close to him.

Many gatherings were held when Orpheus played his music to both human and beasts. There was a particular gathering when Orpheus spotted a young wood nymph by the name of Eurydice. His eyes fell on her and it was love at first sight. The two spent every waking moment together and soon they were wed.

The wedding of Orpheus and Eurydice was blessed by the god of marriage, Hymenaios. A great party was held after the wedding filled with much joy. As the guest departed, the newlyweds soon left for home.

Aristaeus, a shepherd, was waiting in the bushes for Orpheus and Eurydice to pass. This young shepherd wanted Eurydice himself and was willing to kill Orpheus to get her. As the couple walked by the bush where he was hiding, Aristaeus jumped out to kill Orpheus. Orpheus immediately reacted and grabbed Eurydice’s hand and began to run through the forest. Aristaeus followed and showed no signs of stopping. As they were running, Orpheus felt Eurydice stumble and her hand slipped from his grip. He stopped to help her up and found that she was dead. She had stepped into a nest of snakes and was bitten by a deadly viper.

Orpheus went into great mourning without his beautiful Eurydice. He was no longer carefree and full of life. He wanted Eurydice back so he came up with a supernatural plan. He decided to go to the Underworld to talk with Hades to get his lovely wife back. Apollo, his father, would talk to Hades and ask to hear Orpheus’ plea.

Orpheus entered the Underworld with his lyre and melodious voice. He sang the story of the tragic loss of his wife to King Hades and Queen Persesphone. Both the King and Queen’s heart went out to Orpheus.

King Hades told Orpheus that Eurydice would be allowed to follow him into the Upper-world with one condition. Orpheus must not look at Eurydice as long as she was in the dark. If he looked back, Eurydice would be drawn back into the Underworld forever.

Orpheus left the Underworld with a light heart. As he was approaching the Upper-world, he heard footsteps behind him. Orpheus controlled his urge to look back until he reached the sunlight. Immediately, he looked back and the doors closed to the Underworld. Eurydice was not in the sunlight yet. Orpheus had looked back too soon. He tried to get back into the Underworld but Zeus had locked the gates to him forever. Orpheus was broken-hearted and no longer sang with joy but with extreme sadness. He began to isolate himself, especially from woman, and soon the only thing that consoled him was lying on a flat rock staring at the sky. He did this day in and day out. The women of the area soon scorned his behavior. The anger grew in the women to the point that they gathered together and attacked Orpheus one sunny afternoon. They killed him and cut his body into small pieces. The women then threw the pieces of his body and his lyre into the river. Orpheus’ head and lyre floated down the river to the island of Lesvos. It is there that the people gave Orpheus a proper burial so Orpheus could be with Eurydice in the Underworld. The people of Lesvos believed that the grave emanated music that indicated Orpheus’ reuniting with his love, Eurydice.

source:http://www.helium.com/items/2281145-orpheus-and-eurydice-love-story-orpheus-and-eurydice?page=2