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In our summary of Orpheus and Eurydice, you will learn how the singer descended into the underworld in the hope of reviving his wife.
The myth: Summary of Orpheus and Eurydice
Orpheus and Eurydice are legendary figures from Greek mythology. Orpheus was considered a gifted singer and poet who was given a lyre by the Greek god Apollo because of his talent. His wife Eurydice was a nymph. Both were from Thrace.
- When Orpheus returned from the Argonauts’ voyage, a journey to obtain a legendary and very valuable fur, the Golden Fleece, he and Eurydice got married.
- However, Eurydice had another suitor: Aristaios, the god of olive cultivation and beekeeping, pursued her. Some stories say that he wanted to rape Eurydice.
- When Eurydice fled from Aristaios, she stepped on a snake and died from its bite.
- Orpheus was not willing to let his wife go. Playing his lyre and singing, he followed her into the underworld.
- There he played for Hades and his wife Persephone. Both were deeply moved by Orpheus’ music and granted his request: he could leave Hades with his wife so that both could live on.
- The only condition was that he must not turn around to look at his wife while she followed him out of Hades.
- However, when Orpheus began his ascent and heard no footsteps behind him, he turned around out of concern, and Eurydice disappeared forever into the realm of the dead.
How Orpheus lived and died according to legend
After Eurydice’s death, Orpheus turned his back on women. In some stories, he has homosexual relationships, while in others he is described as a morose misogynist.
- Orpheus was murdered by the Maenads. The Maenads are female followers of Dionysus, the god of debauchery, wine, and ecstasy.
- They tore Orpheus’ body apart and threw his head into the river Hebros, where it was washed into the Aegean Sea and finally washed up on the island of Lesbos. His severed head is said to have continued singing throughout.
- After his death, Orpheus’ lyre was immortalized by the gods as a constellation in the firmament.
