Perseus and Eurydice summary. Encyclopedia of fairy-tale heroes: "Orpheus and Eurydice"
The myth of Orpheus and his beloved Eurydice is one of the most famous myths about love. No less interesting is this mysterious singer himself, about whom not much reliable information has survived. The myth of Orpheus, which we will talk about, is only one of the few legends dedicated to this character. There are also many legends and fairy tales about Orpheus.
The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice: summary
According to legend, this great singer lived in Thrace, located in northern Greece. Translated, his name means “healing with light.” He had a wonderful gift of songs. His fame spread throughout the Greek land. Eurydice, a young beauty, fell in love with him for his beautiful songs and became his wife. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice begins with a description of these happy events.
However, the carefree happiness of the lovers was short-lived. The myth of Orpheus continues with the fact that one day the couple went into the forest. Orpheus sang and played the seven-string cithara. Eurydice began to collect flowers growing in the clearings.
The Kidnapping of Eurydice
Suddenly the girl felt that someone was running after her through the forest. She got scared and rushed to Orpheus, throwing flowers. The girl ran through the grass, not making out the road, and suddenly she fell into a snake wrapped around her leg and stung Eurydice. The girl screamed loudly in fear and pain. She fell on the grass. Hearing the plaintive cry of his wife, Orpheus hurried to her aid. But he only managed to see how large black wings flashed between the trees. Death took the girl to the underworld. It’s interesting how the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice will continue, isn’t it?
Orpheus' grief
The great singer’s grief was very great. After reading the myth about Orpheus and Eurydice, we learn that the young man left people and spent whole days alone, wandering through the forests. In his songs, Orpheus poured out his longing. They had such power that the trees that had fallen from their places surrounded the singer. Animals came out of their holes, stones moved closer and closer, and birds left their nests. Everyone listened to how Orpheus yearned for his beloved girl.
Orpheus goes to the kingdom of the dead
Days passed, but the singer could not console himself. His sadness grew every hour. Realizing that he could no longer live without his wife, he decided to go to the underworld of Hades in order to find her. Orpheus searched for the entrance there for a long time. Finally, he found a stream in Tenara's deep cave. It flowed into the river Styx, located underground. Orpheus went down the bed of the stream and reached the bank of the Styx. The kingdom of the dead, which began beyond this river, was revealed to him. The waters of the Styx were deep and black. It was scary for a living creature to step into them.
Hades gives Eurydice
Orpheus went through many trials in this terrible place. Love helped him cope with everything. Eventually, Orpheus reached the palace of Hades, ruler of the underworld. He turned to him with a request to return Eurydice, a girl so young and beloved by him. Hades took pity on the singer and agreed to give him his wife. However, one condition had to be met: it was impossible to look at Eurydice until he brought her to the kingdom of the living. Orpheus made a promise that throughout the entire journey he would not turn around and look at his beloved. If the ban was violated, the singer risked losing his wife forever.
Return trip
Orpheus quickly headed towards the exit from the underworld. He passed through the domain of Hades in the form of a spirit, and the shadow of Eurydice followed him. The lovers boarded the boat of Charon, who silently carried the couple to the shore of life. A steep rocky path led to the ground. Orpheus slowly climbed up. It was quiet and dark around. It seemed that no one was following him.
Violation of the ban and its consequences
But it began to get brighter ahead, and the exit to the ground was already close. And the shorter the distance to the exit, the brighter it became. Finally, everything around me became clearly visible. Orpheus' heart was filled with anxiety. He began to doubt whether Eurydice was following him. Forgetting his promise, the singer turned around. For a moment, very close, he saw a beautiful face, a sweet shadow... The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice tells that this shadow immediately flew away and disappeared into the darkness. Orpheus, with a desperate cry, began to go back down the path. He again came to the shore of the Styx and began to call the ferryman. Orpheus prayed in vain: no one responded. The singer sat alone for a long time on the bank of the Styx and waited. However, he never waited for anyone. He had to return to earth and continue to live. He was never able to forget Eurydice, his only love. The memory of her lived in his songs and in his heart. Eurydice is the divine soul of Orpheus. He will unite with her only after death.
This ends the myth of Orpheus. We will supplement its brief content with an analysis of the main images presented in it.
Image of Orpheus
Orpheus is a mysterious image that is found in a number of Greek myths. This is a symbol of a musician who conquers the world with the power of sounds. He is able to move plants, animals and even stones, and also evoke in the gods of the underworld (the underworld) compassion that is not typical for them. The image of Orpheus also symbolizes overcoming alienation.
This singer can be seen as the personification of the power of art, which contributes to the transformation of chaos into the cosmos. Thanks to art, a world of harmony and causality, images and forms is created, that is, the “human world”.
Orpheus, unable to hold on to his love, also became a symbol of human weakness. Because of her, he was unable to cross the fatal threshold and failed in his attempt to return Eurydice. This is a reminder that there is a tragic side to life.
The image of Orpheus is also considered a mythical personification of one secret teaching, according to which the planets move around the Sun, located at the center of the Universe. The source of universal harmony and connection is the force of its attraction. And the rays emanating from it are the reason why particles move in the Universe.
Image of Eurydice
The myth of Orpheus is a legend in which the image of Eurydice is a symbol of oblivion and tacit knowledge. This is the idea of detachment and silent omniscience. In addition, it is correlated with the image of music, in search of which Orpheus is.
The Kingdom of Hades and the Image of Lyra
The kingdom of Hades, depicted in the myth, is the kingdom of the dead, beginning far in the west, where the sun plunges into the depths of the sea. This is how the idea of winter, darkness, death, night appears. The element of Hades is the earth, which again takes its children to itself. However, the sprouts of new life lurk in her womb.
The image of Lyra represents the magical element. With his help, Orpheus touches the hearts of both people and gods.
Reflection of myth in literature, painting and music
This myth was first mentioned in the writings of Publius Ovid Naso, the major “Metamorphoses” - a book that is his main work. In it, Ovid expounds about 250 myths about the transformations of heroes and gods of ancient Greece.
The myth of Orpheus outlined by this author has attracted poets, composers and artists in all eras and times. Almost all of his subjects are represented in the paintings of Tiepolo, Rubens, Corot and others. Many operas have been created based on this plot: “Orpheus” (1607, author - C. Monteverdi), “Orpheus in Hell” (operetta of 1858, written by J. Offenbach), “Orpheus” (1762, author - K.V. Glitch).
As for literature, in Europe in the 20-40s of the 20th century this topic was developed by J. Anouilh, R. M. Rilke, P. J. Zhuve, I. Gol, A. Gide and others. At the beginning of the 20th century in Russian poetry, the motifs of myth were reflected in the work of M. Tsvetaeva (“Phaedra”) and in the work of O. Mandelstam.
The opera "Orpheus and Eurydice", a summary of which is given in this article, was the first work to embody the new ideas of Christoph Willibald Gluck. The premiere took place in Vienna on October 5, 1762, and from that moment the operatic reform began.
Opera Feature
However, what makes this opera so different from its predecessors? The fact is that the composer wrote the recitative in such a way that the meaning of the words was in the foreground, and the orchestral parts were subordinate to the mood of a particular scene. Here the static figures of the singers finally begin to show artistic qualities, they begin to play and move, singing is combined with action. For the sake of this, the singing technique is significantly simplified, however, such a technique does not spoil the action at all; on the contrary, it makes it more attractive and natural. The overture also helped create the atmosphere and general mood; moreover, according to the composer’s plan, the choir also became an integral part of the drama.
The structure of the opera is as follows: it is a series of complete musical numbers, which in their melody are similar to the arias of the Italian school.
Background
Why did this work win the hearts of the audience? After all, there are many works on the same plot, there is even a rock opera “Orpheus and Eurydice”, the summary of which practically corresponds to the classical plot. Why is Christoph Willibald Gluck's opera still staged at the most famous venues?
Orpheus and Eurydice are ancient heroes. The plot telling about their love is often repeated both in literature and in opera. It was used several times even before Gluck by composers such as Claudio Monteverdi, Giulio Caccini and Jacopo Peri. However, in Gluck's adaptation the story began to sparkle with new colors. But the reform carried out by Orpheus would have been impossible without many years of creative experience, rich and flexible craftsmanship, improved over decades, as well as without the knowledge gained while working with the largest European theaters.
The libretto of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" (a summary is given below) was written by the famous librettist Raniero Calzabigi, who became an ardent like-minded person of Gluck. There are many versions of the legend of the two lovers, but Raniero chose the one set out in Virgil’s Georgics. Here the heroes of antiquity are presented in simplicity, touching and majestic. They are endowed with all the feelings characteristic of mere mortals, which became a protest against the pathos, pretentiousness and rhetoric of noble art.
First edition
The premiere took place in Vienna on October 5, 1762. In the summary of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" it should be mentioned that its original version was somewhat different. Firstly, the ending, contrary to the mythological plot, was happy. In addition, Gluck at that time had not yet completely freed himself from the influence of traditional ceremonial performances. He assigned the part of Orpheus to a viola castrato and introduced the decorative role of Cupid. In the second edition the text was rewritten. The part of Orpheus became more natural and expressive, it was expanded and transferred to the tenor. The flute solo, which became famous, was introduced into the episode with the “blessed shadows”, and the music Gluck had previously written for the ballet “Don Juan” was added to the finale of the scene in hell. In 1859, the opera received a new life from the light hand of Hector Berlioz. The role of Orpheus was played by a woman, the famous Pauline Viardot. The tradition of singers performing this part still exists today. Next, we offer you to read a brief summary of the opera “Orpheus and Eurydice” by K. Gluck.
First action
The opera begins with a scene in a grove of cypresses and laurels. At the tomb of Eurydice, Orpheus, the greatest of singers, mourns his beloved. The shepherdesses and shepherds who sympathize with him appeal to the spirit of the deceased, asking to hear the grief and crying of the inconsolable spouse. A sacrificial fire is lit and they decorate the monument with flowers. The musician asks them to leave him alone, and continues to call in vain on Eurydice - only the echo repeats his words in the forests, valleys and among the rocks. Orpheus prays to the gods to either return his beloved to him or give him death. The gods listen to his prayers, and Cupid appears before the grief-stricken singer, who is sent to declare the will of Zeus the Thunderer: Orpheus is allowed to descend to Hades. If he can touch the wicked creatures with his voice and the sounds of the lyre, he will return back with Eurydice. The singer is given only one condition: on the way back, he must not look at his beloved until they get out into the world of the living, otherwise the girl will be lost, and this time forever. Orpheus accepts the condition and is confident that his love will pass all the tests.
Second act: summary
"Orpheus and Eurydice" is a colorful production. At the beginning of the second act, which takes place almost entirely in Hades (Hades), the entire stage is enveloped in thick, dark smoke. Here and there flashes of hellfire flicker. Underground spirits and furies gather from everywhere to begin a frantic, wild dance, and at this moment Orpheus appears playing the lyre. The creatures are trying to arouse fear in him, sending terrible visions, but the fearless lover calls out to them, begging them to ease his suffering. The third time the spirits retreat before the power of his art. The spirits who recognized him as the winner open the way to the kingdom of the dead.
According to the summary of "Orpheus and Eurydice", then the general atmosphere on the stage changes, because Orpheus arrives in Elysium - the land of blissful shadows, a beautiful part of the kingdom of the dead, where he manages to find the shadow of Eurydice. The magical land of dreams has already managed to enchant her, so the girl is now alien to both the earthly world and its anxieties. Orpheus himself is amazed by the singing of birds and the wonderful landscape of the land of blissful shadows, but he can only be truly happy together with Eurydice. The singer takes his beloved by the hand and they leave.
Third act
The main dramatic events of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" are getting closer. The summary of the third act begins from the moment the hero and his wife walk through gloomy passages, rocks, winding paths, and pass under dangerously overhanging spurs. Eurydice knows nothing about the condition that the gods set for her husband. As they get closer to the world of the living, the girl transforms. This is no longer a blissful shadow, it looks more and more like a living person. She is hot and temperamental, therefore, not understanding why her beloved husband did not even glance at her, she bitterly complains about his indifference. According to the summary of "Orpheus and Eurydice", the heroine turns to her husband, now tenderly, now with bewilderment, now with anger and despair, now with delight, but he still does not even look at her. Then Eurydice concludes that Orpheus must have simply stopped loving her, and while the man tries to convince her otherwise, she continues her persuasion. In the end, she even tries to refuse the miraculous salvation and drive her husband away. The singers' voices merge in this dramatic moment.
I lost my Eurydice
The summary of "Orpheus and Eurydice" continues with an episode during which the husband, having yielded to the woman's pleas, turns around and embraces her. At this moment he looks at her, thereby violating the prohibition of the gods. There comes a moment that has become the most famous in the opera - an aria called “I Lost My Eurydice.” In despair, Orpheus wants to stab himself with a dagger and end his life. This dramatic episode continues the plot and summary of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice".
The woman is already dead, and the inconsolable husband mourns the death of his wife for the second time. When he takes the dagger to commit suicide, Cupid stops him at the very last moment, and then calls on the dead to rise again. The beauty gets up, as if waking up from sleep. The God of Love explains that Zeus decided to reward the hero for being faithful to his love.
The final
Original story
In mythology, there are several options for how the story of “Orpheus and Eurydice” ended, but all of them are not favorable for the lovers. Orpheus descends into the kingdom of the dead, violates the ban of the gods, but does not receive forgiveness. Eurydice goes to Hades (Hades), but forever, and the inconsolable musician selflessly indulges in grief. Eventually the Thracian women, angry that the singer has neglected them while missing his dead wife, tear him to pieces. According to another version, Orpheus, who arrived in Thrace, refused honors to Dionysus. The vengeful god of wine sent maenads - his maddening companions - to attack him.
The women waited until their husbands entered the temple of Apollo (the singer was his priest), and then grabbed the weapons left at the entrance, burst into the temple and killed their own husbands. After this, falling into a wild frenzy, they tore Orpheus to pieces, and his body parts were scattered around the area. The head of the maenad singer was thrown into a river that flowed into the sea. As a result, the musician’s head ended up on the shore of the island of Lesbos, and local residents buried it in a cave.
The famous German composer Christoph Gluck is the author of one of the most famous operas, Orpheus and Eurydice. Here the author talks about sublime, earthly feelings, about the purest and most transmitted love. The heroes of this work are characters from Greek mythology.
The plot dates back to antiquity, there are many dramatic elements and techniques that make the work rich.
Characters
Orpheus is a musician.
Eurydice is the wife of a musician.
Cupid is the god of love, he unites loving hearts.
Blessed Shadow - lives in the kingdom of the dead.
Furies, shepherd, shadows of the dead, spirits.
Summary of the Myth and Legend of Orpheus and Eurydice (opera)
Orpheus is a wonderful musician, but he cannot be calm because his beloved Eurydice has died. He spends all his time near her tomb. He feels so bad without her that he asks heaven to return her or make him smaller. The gods heard his unusually velvety voice. Then Zeus tells Cupid to come down and voice the decision of the gods. He tells Orpheus that he has been allowed to descend into the dark world and bring back his wife. But he can do this only if his music moves the spirits. But there are also conditions that he must comply with. He is forbidden to look back and look his wife in the eyes. But he loves her so much that he agrees to any conditions.
And so he finds himself in a dark area, where mystical creatures block his path, try to scare him, but the power of music and art works wonders. The spirits make concessions to him, and he enters the underworld. Having passed all the obstacles, he finds himself in the world of blissful shadows. This place is called Elysium. Eurydice is here. He feels calm and peaceful here, but is not happy without his beloved. The beautiful landscape and birdsong bring him inspiration. He sings about the beauty of this nature. His songs attract shadows that bring his beloved. Shadow removes her veil and joins their hands, but reminds him of the mandatory condition. Orpheus is in a hurry to leave the afterlife and goes without looking back. The closer they get to the exit, the more Eurydice turns into a real woman.
They again find themselves in a terrible gorge, Orpheus tries to pass it faster, but his wife asks him to look at her. But Orpheus is not inclined, she becomes disillusioned with his love and refuses to leave the kingdom of the dead. Then he breaks the condition and hugs his wife. But a terrible prophecy comes true, Eurydice is dead forever.
Orpheus despaired just a little more, and they would have been happy, but now he simply has no reason to live. He wants to commit suicide. The gods were struck by such strong feelings, and they resurrect his wife.
They are greeted by a choir of shepherdesses and shepherds who sing and dance, praising the wisdom of the gods and the power of love, which can even conquer death. Love and art cannot be destroyed even by death, but there is a line between the world of the dead and the world of the living that cannot be crossed. Perhaps that’s why we feel guilty before the dead, because we didn’t add something or didn’t love something.
Picture or drawing Christoph Gluck - Orpheus and Eurydice
Other retellings and reviews for the reader's diary
- Summary: To be afraid of grief is to not see happiness Marshak
Once upon a time there lived a Woodcutter. I have lived to an old age, but everything works - there is no one to expect help from. The tasks were difficult for him, he had almost no strength left, and troubles kept coming and coming.
On the shores of the Black Sea, among the picturesque mountains, lives a teenage girl with the beautiful and unusual name Dubravka. She is distinguished by mockery, independence, and reckless courage.
In the north of Greece, in Thrace, lived the singer Orpheus. He had a wonderful gift of songs, and his fame spread throughout the land of the Greeks.
The beautiful Eurydice fell in love with him for his songs. She became his wife. But their happiness was short-lived. One day Orpheus and Eurydice were in the forest. Orpheus played his seven-stringed cithara and sang. Eurydice was picking flowers in the meadows. Unnoticed, she moved far from her husband, into the wilderness of the forest. Suddenly it seemed to her that someone was running through the forest, breaking branches, chasing her, she got scared and, throwing the flowers, ran back to Orpheus. She ran, without knowing the road, through the thick grass and in a rapid run stepped into a snake’s nest. The snake wrapped itself around her leg and bit her. Eurydice screamed loudly in pain and fear and fell onto the grass. Orpheus heard his wife's plaintive cry from a distance and hurried to her. But he saw large black wings flash between the trees - it was Death that was carrying Eurydice into the underworld.
Great was the grief of Orpheus. He left people and spent whole days alone, wandering through the forests, pouring out his melancholy in songs. And there was such power in these melancholy songs that the trees moved from their places and surrounded the singer. Animals came out of their holes, birds left their nests, stones moved closer. And everyone listened to how he missed his beloved.
Nights and days passed, but Orpheus could not console himself, his sadness grew with every hour.
No, I can’t live without Eurydice! - he said. - The land is not dear to me without her. Let Death take me too, let me at least be in the underworld with my beloved!
But Death did not come. And Orpheus decided to go to the kingdom of the dead himself.
For a long time he searched for the entrance to the underground kingdom and, finally, in the deep cave of Tenara he found a stream that flowed into the underground river Styx. Along the bed of this stream, Orpheus descended deep underground and reached the bank of the Styx. Beyond this river began the kingdom of the dead.
The waters of the Styx are black and deep, and it is scary for the living to step into them. Orpheus heard sighs and quiet crying behind him - these were the shadows of the dead, like him, who were waiting for crossing into a country from which no one can return.
A boat separated from the opposite shore: the carrier of the dead, Charon, was sailing for new newcomers. Charon silently moored to the shore, and shadows obediently filled the boat. Orpheus began to ask Charon:
Take me to the other side too! But Charon refused:
I only transfer the dead to the other side. When you die, I will come for you!
Have pity! - Orpheus prayed. - I don’t want to live anymore! It's hard for me to stay on earth alone! I want to see my Eurydice!
The stern ferryman pushed him away and was about to set sail from the shore, but the strings of the cithara rang plaintively, and Orpheus began to sing. Sad and gentle sounds echoed under the gloomy arches of Hades. The cold waves of the Styx stopped, and Charon himself, leaning on his oar, listened to the song. Orpheus entered the boat, and Charon obediently transported him to the other side. Hearing the hot song of the living about undying love, the shadows of the dead flew from all sides. Orpheus walked boldly through the silent kingdom of the dead, and no one stopped him.
So he reached the palace of the ruler of the underworld, Hades, and entered a vast and gloomy hall. High on the golden throne sat the formidable Hades and next to him his beautiful queen Persephone.
With a sparkling sword in his hand, in a black cloak, with huge black wings, the god of Death stood behind Hades, and his servants, Kera, crowded around him, flying on the battlefield and taking the lives of warriors. The stern judges of the underworld sat to the side of the throne and judged the dead for their earthly deeds.
Memories were hidden in the dark corners of the hall, behind the columns. They had scourges made of live snakes in their hands, and they painfully stung those standing before the court.
Orpheus saw many kinds of monsters in the kingdom of the dead: Lamia, which steals small children from mothers at night, and the terrible Empusa with donkey legs, drinking the blood of people, and ferocious Stygian dogs.
Only the younger brother of the god of Death - the god of Sleep, young Hypnos, beautiful and joyful, rushed around the hall on his light wings, stirring a sleepy drink in his silver horn, which no one on earth can resist - even the great Thunderer Zeus himself falls asleep when Hypnos splashes into it with your potion.
Hades looked menacingly at Orpheus, and everyone around him began to tremble.
But the singer approached the throne of the gloomy ruler and sang even more inspired: he sang about his love for Eurydice.
Persephone listened to the song without breathing, and tears rolled from her beautiful eyes. The terrible Hades bowed his head on his chest and thought. The God of Death lowered his sparkling sword.
The singer fell silent, and the silence lasted for a long time. Then Hades raised his head and asked:
What are you looking for, singer, in the kingdom of the dead? Tell me what you want and I promise to fulfill your request.
Orpheus said to Hades:
Lord! Our life on earth is short, and Death overtakes us all someday and takes us to your kingdom - no mortal can escape it. But I, alive, myself came to the kingdom of the dead to ask you: give me back my Eurydice! She had lived so little on earth, had so little time to rejoice, loved so briefly... Let her go, lord, to earth! Let her live in the world a little longer, let her enjoy the sun, warmth and light and the greenery of the fields, the spring beauty of the forests and my love. After all, she will return to you after all!
So spoke Orpheus and asked Persephone:
Intercede for me, beautiful queen! You know how good life is on earth! Help me get my Eurydice back!
Let it be as you ask! - Hades said to Orpheus. - I will return Eurydice to you. You can take her with you up to the bright earth. But you have to promise...
Anything you want! - Orpheus exclaimed. - I’m ready to do anything to see my Eurydice again!
You must not see her until you come out into the light,” Hades said. - Return to earth and know: Eurydice will follow you. But don't look back and try to look at her. If you look back, you will lose her forever!
And Hades ordered Eurydice to follow Orpheus.
Orpheus quickly headed towards the exit from the kingdom of the dead. Like a spirit, he passed through the land of Death, and the shadow of Eurydice followed him. They entered Charon's boat, and he silently transported them back to the shore of life. A steep rocky path led up to the ground.
Orpheus slowly climbed the mountain. It was dark and quiet around him and quiet behind him, as if no one was following him. Only his heart was beating:
“Eurydice! Eurydice!
Finally it began to get lighter ahead, and the exit to the ground was close. And the closer the exit was, the brighter it became ahead, and now everything around was clearly visible.
Anxiety squeezed Orpheus’s heart: is Eurydice here? Is he following him? Forgetting everything in the world, Orpheus stopped and looked around.
Where are you, Eurydice? Let me look at you! For a moment, very close, he saw a sweet shadow, a dear, beautiful face... But only for a moment. Eurydice's shadow immediately flew away, disappeared, melted into the darkness.
Eurydice?!
With a desperate cry, Orpheus began to go back down the path and again came to the shore of the black Styx and called for the ferryman. But in vain he prayed and called: no one responded to his prayers. For a long time Orpheus sat on the bank of the Styx alone and waited. He didn't wait for anyone.
He had to return to earth and live. But he could not forget his only love - Eurydice, and the memory of her lived in his heart and in his songs.
Literature:
Smirnova V. //Heroes of Hellas, - M.: "Children's Literature", 1971 - p.103-109
THE MYTH OF ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE: summary
Orpheus, the great singer, son of the river god Eager and the muse of song Calliope, lived in Thrace. His wife was the tender and beautiful nymph Eurydice. The beautiful singing of Orpheus and his playing of the cithara not only captivated people, but also enchanted plants and animals. Orpheus and Eurydice were happy until a terrible misfortune befell them.
One day, when Eurydice and her nymph friends were picking flowers in a green valley, a snake hidden in the thick grass waylaid them and stung Orpheus’ wife in the leg. The poison spread quickly and ended her life. Hearing the mournful cry of Eurydice's friends, Orpheus hurried into the valley and, seeing the cold body of Eurydice, his tenderly beloved wife, fell into despair and groaned bitterly. Nature deeply sympathized with him in his grief. Then Orpheus decided to go to the kingdom of the dead to see Eurydice there. To do this, he descends to the sacred river Styx, where the souls of the dead have accumulated, whom the carrier Charon sends on a boat to the domain of Hades.
At first, Charon refused Orpheus' request to transport him. But then Orpheus played his golden cithara and charmed the gloomy Charon with wonderful music. And he transported him to the throne of Hades. In the midst of the cold and silence of the underworld, Orpheus’ passionate song sounded about his grief, about the torment of his broken love for Eurydice. Everyone who was nearby was amazed by the beauty of the music and the strength of his feelings: Hades, and his wife Persephone, and Tantalus, who forgot about the hunger that tormented him, and Sisyphus, who stopped his hard and fruitless work. Then Orpheus stated his request to Hades to return his wife Eurydice to earth. Hades agreed to fulfill it, but at the same time stated his condition: Orpheus must follow, and Eurydice will follow him. During his journey through the underworld, Orpheus cannot look back: otherwise Eurydice will leave him forever. When the shadow of Eurydice appeared, Orpheus wanted to hug her, but Hermes told him not to do this, since in front of him there was only a shadow, and there was a long and difficult path ahead.
Quickly passing the kingdom of Hades, the travelers reached the River Styx, where Charon ferried them on his boat to a path leading steeply up to the surface of the earth. The path was cluttered with stones, darkness reigned all around, and the figure of Hermes loomed ahead and there was barely a glimmer of light, which indicated that the exit was close. At that moment, Orpheus was overcome with deep anxiety for Eurydice: was she keeping up with him, was she lagging behind, was she getting lost in the darkness. After listening, he did not discern any sound behind him, which exacerbated the uneasy feeling. Finally, unable to bear it and breaking the ban, he turned around: almost next to him he saw the shadow of Eurydice, stretched out his hands to her, but at the same instant the shadow melted into the darkness. So he had to relive the death of Eurydice a second time. And this time it was my own fault.
Overcome by horror, Orpheus decides to return to the shores of the Styx, re-enter the kingdom of Hades and pray to God to return his beloved wife. But this time Orpheus’ pleas did not move old Charon. Orpheus spent seven days on the banks of the Styx, but never softened Charon’s harsh heart, and on the eighth he returned to his place in Thrace.
Four years passed after Eurydice's death, but Orpheus remained faithful to her, not wanting marriage with any of the women. One day in early spring, he sat down on a high hill, took a golden cithara in his hands and began to sing. All nature listened to the great singer. At this time, women-bacchantes, possessed by rage, appeared, celebrating the festival of the god of wine and fun, Bacchus. Noticing Orpheus, they rushed at him shouting: “Here he is, the hater of women.” Seized by a frenzy, the bacchantes surround the singer and shower him with stones. Having killed Orpheus, they tear his body into pieces, tear off the singer’s head and throw him, along with his cithara, into the fast waters of the Hebra River. Carried away by the current, the strings of the cithara continue to sound, mourning the singer, and the shore responds to them. All nature mourns Orpheus. The singer's head and his cithara are carried out to sea by the waves and float to the island of Lesbos. Since then, wonderful songs have been heard on the island. The soul of Orpheus descends into the kingdom of shadows, where the great singer meets his own, Eurydice. Since then, their shadows have been inseparable. Together they wander through the gloomy fields of the kingdom of the dead.
Images of poetic myth are extremely popular in world art. Based on his motives, paintings by the great painters Tintoretto, Rubens, Bruegel were painted; the opera “Orpheus” was created by Verdi and Gluck, the ballet “Orpheus” by I. Stravinsky; Jacques Offenbach wrote the operetta Orpheus in Hell. The original interpretation of the myth was given by the American playwright Tennessee Williams in the drama “Orpheus Descends to Hell.” For many years, the international festival of singers “Golden Orpheus” was held in Sopot, Poland.
