Orpheus in Myth
(From Mythography: http://www.loggia.com/myth/orpheus.html)
Orpheus was a legendary singer and musician in Greek mythology.
Indeed, many stories about Orpheus focus on his ability to enchant
audiences with a song. From his exploits with the Argonauts, to his
most memorable myth - that of rescuing his wife Eurydice from the
Underworld - Orpheus dazzled listeners with his mellifluous voice in
tale after tale. To learn more about this master musician, read on.
According to some sources, Orpheus was the son of the god Apollo and
the Muse Calliope. These parents - a god of music and the Muse of epic
poetry - help to explain the origin of Orpheus's extraordinary musical
gift. And the power of this god-like gift for song was undeniable. The
ancient poets Aeschylus and Euripides both tell of how Orpheus used
his talents to charm wild animals, trees, and rocks.
Even Hades, the stern and gloomy god of the Underworld, was not immune
to the haunting magic of Orpheus's singing. For in one of the most
compelling stories about Orpheus, the musician descends to the dark
Underworld and begs Hades to release his wife Eurydice from the realm
of the dead. After explaining how his young bride was accidentally
killed, Orpheus uses his powers as a musician to persuade Hades to let
him bring Eurydice back to the land of the living. In Ovid's version
of the story, the god of the Underworld agrees to the request, with
one condition - Orpheus must not look upon Eurydice until they both
reach the surface of the earth. However, the enthusiastic bard forgets
this warning and glances at his lovely wife just before they are free
of the Underworld. At this moment, Orpheus once again loses his wife.
The story now takes an even more tragic turn. After losing Eurydice
for a second time, Orpheus wanders the earth in despair. The musician
loved his wife desperately, and wants nothing to do with women. A
group of Thracian Maenads, however, take revenge on Orpheus and tear
him to pieces. But there is a poetic note to this sad ending. It is
said that even after his death, the head of Orpheus floated down the
Hebrus river, singing a beautiful and enchanting song of lost love.
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