Greek Myth: Orpheus by Alice Low

Summary

In this video, we explore the myth of Orpheus, a tale of love and music that teaches a lesson about the consequences of disobedience. Orpheus, a gifted musician, loses his beloved Eurydice to a snake bite and bravely ventures into the underworld to reclaim her. His enchanting melodies charm the gods Hades and Persephone, who grant him a chance to bring Eurydice back to life. However, under the condition that he not look back until they reach the earth, Orpheus fails at the last moment, losing Eurydice forever. The story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of trust and the rules of the gods.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Myths often serve to explain natural phenomena and societal rules, featuring gods, goddesses, and heroes.
• 📖 The Muses are nine goddesses who preside over various arts and sciences, with Calliope inspiring poets and musicians.
• 🎵 Orpheus, the son of Calliope, is gifted with an extraordinary talent for music that charms all living things.
• 🐍 Eurydice, Orpheus' wife, dies after being bitten by a poisonous snake, prompting Orpheus' descent into the underworld.
• 🌑 Orpheus' music enchants the underworld's inhabitants, including the ferryman Charon and the three-headed dog Cerberus.
• 😢 The sorrowful melodies of Orpheus move even the heart of Persephone, queen of the underworld.
• 🔗 Hades and Persephone allow Orpheus to take Eurydice back to the world of the living, under one condition.
• 🚫 Orpheus is forbidden from looking back at Eurydice until they have both reached the surface.
• 👥 Tragically, Orpheus looks back, causing Eurydice to be lost to the underworld forever.
• 🌳 Orpheus spends the rest of his life wandering and singing to the elements, longing for death to reunite him with Eurydice.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of myths according to the script?

Myths serve to explain natural events, feature gods, goddesses, and heroes, and sometimes present a lesson or serve as a warning to follow societal rules.

What is the significance of the Muses in the script?

The Muses are nine goddesses who preside over different arts or sciences, with Calliope being the inspiration for poets and musicians.

Who was Orpheus and what was his connection to Calliope?

Orpheus was the son of Calliope, the Muse, and a mortal man, and he was gifted with an extraordinary talent for music.

How did Orpheus's music affect the natural world?

Orpheus's music was so enchanting that it charmed all things on earth, including men, women, animals, and even inanimate objects like rocks and trees.

What tragic event led Orpheus to the underworld?

Orpheus's wife, Eurydice, died after stepping on a poisonous snake, which led him to seek her in the underworld.

How did Orpheus manage to cross the River Styx and pass Cerberus?

Orpheus played his lyre, which charmed Charon, the ferryman, to take him across the River Styx, and Cerberus, the three-headed dog, to let him pass.

What condition did Hades set for Eurydice's return to the upper world?

Hades allowed Eurydice to return to the upper world with Orpheus on the condition that she must follow him and he must not look back at her until they were both on earth.

What was the consequence of Orpheus looking back at Eurydice before reaching the upper world?

Orpheus lost Eurydice forever when he looked back at her before they reached the upper world, and she was swallowed up by darkness and carried back to the underworld.

How did Orpheus spend the rest of his life after losing Eurydice?

Orpheus wandered the earth alone, singing sad songs to the rocks and trees, longing for the day he would die and be reunited with Eurydice in the underworld.

What is the moral or lesson that can be inferred from Orpheus's story in the script?

The story of Orpheus may serve as a lesson about the consequences of not following instructions or the importance of trust and patience in the face of adversity.