Greek mythology - foolishness of Orpheus

Orpheus and Eurydice

You have already read about Orpheus, the wonderful musician who was one of the Argonauts and shared the adventure of the Golden Fleece with Jason. It was Orpheus who took the Argonauts safely past the island on which the Sirens lived. As you know already, the Sirens were dangerous creatures who lured sailors to the island with their magical singing . Orpheus played such wonderful music on his lyer that it completely drowned the song of the Sirens, preventing the Argonauts from being attracted to it.

But there is more to the story of Orpheus than his adventures with Jason and the Argonauts.

Orpheus was the son of Apollo, the sun god, who is also the god of music. He was born with extraordinary musical gifts and could charm even wild animals, trees and rocks with his beautiful singing. 

Orpheus grew up in Thrace, one of the provinces of Greece. The people of Thrace, the Thracians, were the most musical race in Greece and they appreciated Orpheus' talents and loved him dearly. He was famous as the greatest musician in the world.

Orpheus was married to Eurydice. He loved her dearly and she too returned his love. They were the happiest couple in Greece, passing their days in bliss, as though it was an enchanted dream. But not for long. Shortly after they were married, a poisonous viper stung Eurydice as they were picking flowers in the field on a summer afternoon. The snake had lain hidden in the long grass and neither Orpheus nor Eurydice had seen it. Instantly, Eurydice fell down dead, and her spirit was carried to Hades, the god of the Underworld.

Orpheus's grief knew no bounds. He felt that he just could not live without Eurydice.

Mad with grief, Orpheus made up his mind to travel to Hades and bring back his lost love. He would charm Hades with his music and persuade the god to allow Eurydice to return to him. No man had ever faced Hades in his own kingdom, but Orpheus would do it for the sake oh his lost love.

It was a fearsome journey, full of unknown dangers. Orpheus knew that he might never be able to return to the land of the living. But he felt life was not worth living without his beloved Eurydice.

As Orpheus started on his journey to Heades' kingdom, he played a beautiful melody on his lyer. the spirits that inhabited Hades were hushed into silence. No one stopped him and soon, Orpheus stood before king Hades with bowed head.

''What is it that you want from me?'' Hades asked him. 

Orpheus replied to Hades's question in song.

All Powerful God,

Everyone on earth has to die and come to your kingdom one day.

But my beloved Eurydice was carried away from the earth too much soon,

Like a bud that is plucked before it has bloomed.

I beg of you, return her to me.

''That was your destiny, Orpheus,'' Hades replied. ''It cannot be changed. You must try to bear your sorrow, as others have done before you.''

''I have tried, my Lord, but I cannot come to terms with my grief ,'' said Orpheus. ''I knew that both of us will die one day and come to your kingdom, never to return. But until my time is up, please allow her to remain with me. Let her life be given to me on loan.''

No one could resist the magic in his voice for long. As Orpheus sang of his love and grief, tears rolled down Hades' cheeks. At last he sent for Eurydice to return to earth with him- but only on one condition. Eurydice would follow Orpheus, but he should never look back until they had passed through the gates of Hades and were once again in the world of the living.

Orpheus gladly accepted Hades' condition.

He stepped out of the great door of Hades' palace and walked along the long, dark path to the outer world, with Eurydice, pale and silent, just behind him. So soft and soundless were her footstep that Orpheus could hardly believe that she was really following him.

Just as they reached the outer gates of Hades' kingdom, Orpheus turned his head around to see if Eurydice had really come with him. She was standing just behind him, but as he was about to take her hand, she vanished from his sight with a last word of farewell. Aghast at what he had done, Orpheus tried to follow her back to Hades, but he had broken a promise given to the Lord  of the Underworld. He was not allowed to enter Hades a second time.

Orpheus was forced to return to the earth alone. Heartbroken by his own foolishness, he wandered through the wilderness, playing on his lyer to the rocks, river and trees who were his only companions. when he died, the nine Muses, who were the guardian spirits of the Fine Arts, including music, found his body floating in the sea. They picked him up and buried him at the foot of Mount Olympus. It is said that nightingales have been singing over his grave ever since.