Orpheus and Eurydice

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Orpheus and Eurydice

• By Tomas Blakeney

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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.

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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.

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Orpheuss 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 Orpheuss
  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.

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Orpheuss 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.

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The Death of Orpheus

• After Eurydice went back down into the
  underworld, Orpheus tried to follow her but the
  gods wouldnt 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.

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Testing Your Knowledge

• Who were Orpheuss 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 Orpheuss 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.