Orpheus (mythology)
Orpheus is a prominent figure in Greek mythology, known for his extraordinary musical talents as a musician and poet. He is the son of Oeagrus, the king of Thrace, and Calliope, a muse associated with epic poetry. Orpheus' melodies could captivate not only humans but also animals and nature itself, making him a legendary figure with the ability to soothe and enchant. His tragic love story centers on his wife, Eurydice, who dies from a snake bite after a harrowing encounter with a satyr. Grief-stricken, Orpheus descends into the Underworld to retrieve her, where he charms Hades and Persephone with his heartfelt music, gaining permission to take Eurydice back under the condition that he must not look back at her until they reach the surface. Unfortunately, his moment of doubt leads to Eurydice's permanent loss. The tale of Orpheus has inspired a vast array of artistic interpretations across various forms, including ballet, opera, and visual arts, highlighting themes of love, loss, and the power of music. His story continues to resonate, making him a timeless symbol of the artist's journey and the depths of human emotion.
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Orpheus (mythology)
Orpheus is a character in Greek mythology, who originates in the Thracian culture, as the son of the king of Thrace, Oeagrus, and his wife, Calliope. The mythological figure of Orpheus is renowned as a musician and poet of the highest caliber. As he played the lyre and sang, people, mythical creatures, and all of nature opened their hearts, became calm, and were transported. Orpheus married Eurydice, an exceptionally beautiful woman. Their marriage did not last long, as she met her demise during a fatal encounter. While taking a walk, Eurydice tried to resist the pursuit of a satyr. In her haste to escape, she stepped on a snake, was bitten, and died. Orpheus is portrayed both as a coward during this interlude, as well as a hero who attempts to save her. The myth of Orpheus has fascinated artists, playwrights, composers, and choreographers for decades and is portrayed in numerous creative endeavors.
Brief History
Orpheus was purported to be human, rather than a god. His parents, Oeagrus and Calliope, were the king and queen of Thrace. Calliope was a muse of dance, music, and song.
Music. According to the mythology, Orpheus was said to have been taught by the god Apollo to play the musical instrument, the lyre. Some versions of the myth attribute Apollo to being the father of Orpheus. With his musical gift, Orpheus was able to play exquisite music. The ability of music to be appreciated in this world and to transcend worlds to other-worldly spheres was a skill transferred to Orpheus. Legend has it that his music had the power to stop animals from hunting their prey. Moreover, the mountains, seas, and trees ceased what they were doing to lean toward Orpheus’s beautiful music and listen to it.
Argonauts and the Sirens. The Sirens (or Seirenes) were sea nymphs who sang songs to entice sailors. Orpheus assisted the Argonauts in their quest to pass by the Sirens by singing music to drown out their songs. This averted the sailors’ potential deaths, which was the Sirens’ aim. As the Argonauts were saved from their fate with the help of Orpheus, the Sirens were devastated and dived into the sea causing their own deaths by drowning.
Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Metamorphoses by Ovid presents the story of Orpheus in the tenth book. There are fourteen sections of the book, dealing with the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, intermediary interludes, and the songs of Orpheus. These songs are presented as Orpheus singing about Ganymede and Hyacinthus; the Propoetides; Pygmalion and the statue; Myrrha’s incestuous love for Cinyras; Myrrha and her nurse; and her crime and punishment; Venus and Adonis; and the death of Adonis. The song lyrics are highly poetic.
Overview
Orpheus and Eurydice. The character Orpheus is rarely mentioned without Eurydice, his beloved. The story of Orpheus and Eurydice centers on the tragic incident that befell her and caused her death.
Orpheus in the Underworld. Orpheus was grief stricken after his wife’s death. With his penchant toward music, his expression of sadness and mourning was played through his songs.Upon hearing his melancholy music, the nymphs and gods suggested Orpheus should enter the depths of the Underworld in search of his beloved and bring her back. Orpheus followed their advice, descending to the Styx, the Underworld, to meet with Hades. As god of the Underworld, Hades together with his wife, Persephone, acquiesced to a meeting with Orpheus. After hearing his tale of woe, and listening to his heartfelt songs of love and desperation, they permitted him to take his wife back to where they had come from. The agreement to allow this to take place, which had transpired after much pleading by Orpheus, came with a provisory instruction. Orpheus was not allowed to look back when he was ascending from the Underworld; rather, he was to look up and forward. Only when they reached the surface, could he glance backward. Orpheus was proceeding ahead, with his beloved Eurydice behind him. In his concern as to whether she was still close by, Orpheus did the unthinkable. He turned around, almost at the surface, but not yet there. Due to his failure to abide by the rule of not looking back, Eurydice slid back into the Underworld, never to reappear.
Death of Orpheus. The death of Orpheus occurred during an encounter at Dionysus’s oracle. The god of the vine and fertility, Dionysus was also considered to be patron god of the arts. Instead of worshipping Dionysus, Orpheus began offering his tributes to Apollo, who he had named as the god of the sun. The Maenads found him doing so and slaughtered him for being unfaithful to Dionysus.
Art and Orpheus. Orpheus has been depicted in art, music, and theater. The artist George Frederic Watts (1813-1904) painted various versions of Orpheus and Eurydice, beginning this theme in the 1860s and reworking it until it reached the level of perfection he desired. The Triumph of Music: Orpheus by the Power of his Art Redeems His Wife from Hades is an art piece created by Frederic Leighton at a similar time. Depictions of the head of Orpheus became popular in the latter part of the nineteenth century as well as in the twentieth century. Whether it was the romance or tragedy pertaining to the life of Orpheus, or paintings of his head, Orpheus was a popular choice as a theme for art by Gustave Moreau, Jean Deville, and John William Waterhouse,
Dance, Opera, and Orpheus. In the dance world, Orpheus was the subject of a significant ballet creation by George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet. The choreography, contemporary in nature, was set to a commissioned score by Igor Stravinsky, with set and costumes by Isamu Noguchi. The first performance was held in 1948. As an operetta, Orpheus in the Underworld, composed by Jacques Offenbach in the mid-nineteenth century, offers a comic view of the legend of Orpheus. Performances have been repeated in the twentieth century.
Bibliography
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