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Read the myth of Orpheus in the underworld. Orpheus and Eurydice - Myths of Ancient Greece

The tragic and beautiful love story of Orpheus and Eurydice has survived to this day thanks to the ancient Roman poet Publius Ovid.

He created the poem "Metamorphoses", which absorbed a variety of myths and legends, which were united by the fact that their heroes at the end turned into animals, plants, stones, reservoirs. One of these legends was just the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice.

The plot of the legend

Orpheus was the son of the muse of heroic poetry and eloquence Calliope and the god of the river Eagra in Thrace (according to another version, the father was the god Apollo). He was not a warrior, but he was an excellent singer. As soon as the strings of his beautiful cithara began to sound, everything around him subsided, conquered by the power of his art.

The wife of Orpheus was the lovely nymph Eurydice, and they loved each other very much. One day she was picking flowers in the meadow. Hearing some rustling, she was frightened and ran. But she did not notice the snake's nest that fell under her feet and stepped on it. The snake immediately bit her on the leg, Eurydice had only time to scream, as the poison got into her blood and she died.

Orpheus heard the plaintive cry of his wife, but did not have time to come to her aid, he only saw a black shadow that took Eurydice into realm of the dead. Orpheus grieved greatly and once could not stand it and went to the underworld of Hades to beg him and his wife Persephone to return his beloved to him.

He went down through the Tenara cave and ended up on the banks of the underground river Styx. There was no way he could cross over to the other side, and Charon, the carrier of souls, refused to transport him.

No matter how much Orpheus pleaded, the stern transporter of souls was adamant. Then he took out a kithara and began to play. The most beautiful music poured over the river and Charon could not resist and agreed to transport the living to the other side.

Without stopping the game, Orpheus went to Hades. Souls began to flock to the enchanting sounds, and even Cerberus remained meek, letting the singer pass him by. He sang for a long time about his love for Eurydice, about his longing for her and the evil fate that separated them. His voice was so charming, and the song was so soulful, that Hades finally decided to return Eurydice to him.

But it was necessary to fulfill one condition - that Orpheus followed Hermes, who would lead him back from the kingdom of the dead. And Eurydice must follow them. But Orpheus should in no case turn around to his beloved until they come into the light.

They crossed the whole kingdom of the dead, Charon ferried them across the river Styx. And now they are already standing near a narrow path that will lead them to the surface. And Orpheus was worried if Eurydice had lagged behind.

The path is not easy, whether she remained among the dead, whether she follows him. It is already getting lighter, for sure you can see the silhouette of the shadow of your beloved. Fear and boundless love cover Orpheus and he sees the shadow of Eurydice standing behind him. He stretches out his hands to her, but she melts, leaving into darkness forever.

Orpheus and Eurydice in art

Tragic and beautiful story touched many artists and therefore found reflection in musical works, in painting, in literature.

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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.

For the songs, the beautiful Eurydice fell in love with him. She became his wife. But their happiness was short-lived.

Once Orpheus and Eurydice were in the forest. Orpheus played his seven-stringed cithara and sang. Eurydice was gathering flowers in the meadows. Imperceptibly, she moved away from her husband, into the wilderness. Suddenly it seemed to her that someone was running through the forest, breaking branches, chasing her, she was frightened and, throwing flowers, ran back to Orpheus. She ran, not understanding the road, through the thick grass and in a swift run she stepped into the snake's nest. The snake coiled around her leg and stung. Eurydice screamed loudly in pain and fear and fell on the grass.

Orpheus heard from a distance the plaintive cry of his wife and hurried to her. But he saw how large black wings flashed between the trees - it was Death that carried Eurydice to the underworld.

Great was the grief of Orpheus. He left people and spent whole days alone, wandering through the forests, pouring out his longing in songs. And there was such power in these melancholy songs that the trees left 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 yearned for his beloved.

Nights and days passed, but Orpheus could not be consoled, his sadness grew with every hour.

- No, I can't live without Eurydice! he said. - The earth is not sweet to me without it. Let Death take me too, even if underworld I will be with my beloved!

But Death did not come. And Orpheus decided to go to the realm of the dead himself.

For a long time he searched for the entrance to the underworld 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 banks of the Styx. Beyond this river began the realm of the dead.

Black and deep are the waters of the Styx, and it is terrible for the living to step into them. Orpheus heard sighs, quiet crying behind his back - these were the shadows of the dead, just like him, waiting for the crossing to the country from which there is no return to anyone.

Here a boat separated from the opposite shore: the carrier of the dead, Charon, sailed for new aliens. Silently moored to the shore Charon, and the shadows obediently filled the boat. Orpheus began to ask Charon:

- Take me to the other side! But Charon refused:

“Only the dead I bring to the other side. When you die, I will come for you!

- Have pity! Orpheus pleaded. I don't want to live anymore! It's hard for me to stay on the ground alone! I want to see my Eurydice!

The stern carrier 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. Under the gloomy vaults of Hades, sad and tender sounds resounded. The cold waves of Styx stopped, and Charon himself, leaning on the oar, listened to the song. Orpheus entered the boat, and Charon obediently carried 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 boldly walked 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 a golden throne sat the formidable Hades and next to him was 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 around him crowded his servants, Kera, who fly on the battlefield and take life from warriors. Severe judges of the underworld sat aside from the throne and judged the dead for their earthly deeds.

In the dark corners of the hall, behind the columns, Memories were hidden. They had scourges of living snakes in their hands, and they painfully stung those who stood before the court.

Orpheus saw many monsters in the realm of the dead: Lamia, who steals small children from their 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 in a silver horn a sleepy drink that no one on earth can resist - even the great Thunder Zeus falls asleep as Hypnos splashes his potion on him.

Hades glared menacingly at Orpheus, and everyone around trembled.

But the singer approached the throne of the gloomy lord and sang even more inspirationally: he sang about his love for Eurydice.

Orpheus is one of the most mysterious figures in world history, about which there is very little information that can be called reliable, but at the same time there are a lot of myths, fairy tales, and legends. It's hard to imagine today world history and culture without Greek temples, without classical examples of sculpture, without Pythagoras and Plato, without Heraclitus and Hesiod, without Aeschylus and Euripides. In all this are the roots of what we now call science, art, and culture in general. If we turn to the origins, then all World culture based on Greek culture, the impulse to development that Orpheus brought: these are the canons of art, the laws of architecture, the laws of music, etc. Orpheus appears at a very difficult time for the history of Greece: people plunged into a semi-wild state, the cult of physical strength, the cult of Bacchus, the most base and gross manifestations.

At this moment, and this was about 5 thousand years ago, the figure of a man appears, whom legends called the son of Apollo, blinding his physical and spiritual beauty. Orpheus - his name is translated as "healing with light" ("aur" - light, "rfe" - to heal). In myths, he is told about him as the son of Apollo, from whom he receives his instrument, a 7-string lyre, to which he subsequently added 2 more strings, making it an instrument of 9 muses. (muses as nine perfect forces of the soul, leading along the path and with the help of which this path can be passed. According to another version, he was the son of the king of Thrace and the muse Calliope, the muse of epic and heroic poetry. According to myths, Orpheus participated in the journey of the Argonauts for the Golden Fleece, helping out your friends during trials.

One of the most famous myths is the myth of the love of Orpheus and Eurydice. Beloved of Orpheus, Eurydice dies, her soul goes to the underworld to Hades, and Orpheus, driven by the power of love for his beloved, descends after her. But when the goal had already seemed to have been achieved, and he was supposed to connect with Eurydice, he was overcome by doubts. Orpheus turns around and loses his beloved great love unites them only in heaven. Eurydice represents the divine soul of Orpheus, with whom he unites after death.

Orpheus continues the struggle against the lunar cults, against the cult of Bacchus, he dies torn to pieces by the Bacchantes. The myth also says that the head of Orpheus prophesied for some time, and it was one of the most ancient oracles of Greece. Orpheus sacrifices himself and dies, but before his death he accomplished the work that he must accomplish: he brings light to people, heals with light, brings an impulse for a new religion and a new culture. new culture and religion, the revival of Greece is born in the hardest struggle. At the moment when the rough reigned physical strength, comes the one who brings the religion of purity, beautiful asceticism, the religion of high ethics and morality, which served as a counterbalance.

The teachings and religion of the Orphics brought the most beautiful hymns, through which the priests conveyed the grains of Orpheus's wisdom, the doctrine of the Muses, helping people through their sacraments, discover new powers in themselves. Homer, Hesiod and Heraclitus relied on the teachings of Orpheus, Pythagoras became a follower of the Orphic religion, who became the founder of the Pythagorean school as a revival of the Orphic religion in a new capacity. Thanks to Orpheus, the mysteries are again reborn in Greece - in the two centers of Eleusis and Delphi.

Eleusis or "the place where the goddess came" is associated with the myth of Demeter and Persephone. The essence of the Eleusinian mysteries in the mysteries of purification and rebirth, they were based on the passage of the soul through trials.

Another component of the religion of Orpheus is the mysteries at Delphi. Delphi, as a combination of Dionysus and Apollo, represented the harmony of opposites that the Orphic religion carried in itself. Apollo, characterizing the order, the proportionality of everything, gives the basic laws and principles for the construction of everything, the construction of cities, temples. And Dionysus as back side, as a deity of constant change, constant overcoming of all emerging obstacles. The Dionysian principle in a person is constant inexhaustible enthusiasm, makes it possible to constantly move, strive for something new, and the Apollonian principle strives at the same time for harmony, clarity and proportion. These two beginnings were united in the Delphic temple. The holidays that took place in it were associated with the combination of these two principles. In this temple, soothsayers speak on behalf of Apollo Delphic oracle- Pythia.

Orpheus brought the doctrine of the muses, the nine powers human soul, which appear in the form of 9 most beautiful muses. Each of them has its own component as a principle, like notes in divine music. The muse of history is Clio, the muse of oratory and hymns is Polyhymnia, the muse of comedy and tragedy is Thalia and Melpomene, the muse of music is Euterpe, the muse of the vault of heaven is Urania, the muse of divine dance is Terpsichore, the muse of love is Erato, and the muse of heroic poetry.

The teaching of Orpheus is the teaching of light, purity and great boundless love, it was received by all mankind, and every person inherited part of the light of Orpheus. This is a gift from the gods that lives in the soul of each of us. And through it you can comprehend everything: both the forces of the soul hidden inside, and Apollo and Dionysus, the divine harmony of the beautiful muses. Maybe this is what will give a person a feeling of real life, filled with inspiration and the light of love.

The myth of Eurydice and Orpheus

In Greek myths, Orpheus finds Eurydice and with the power of his love even touches the heart of the lord of hell Hades, who allows him to bring Eurydice out of the underworld, but on the condition that if he turns around and looks at her before Eurydice comes out into the light of day, he will lose her forever. And in the drama, Orpheus loses Eurydice, cannot stand and look at her, she disappears and his whole remaining life passes in hopeless grief.

In fact, the end of this story is different. Yes, the great heavenly Love of Orpheus aroused compassion in the heart of Hades. But he does not lose Eurydice. The heart of the underworld denotes the sacraments. Orpheus finds Eurydice, because he is approaching the mysteries of heaven, the mysteries of Nature, the secret. And every time he tries to look at her, Eurydice runs away from him - like the Star of the Magi appears to show the way, and then disappears to wait for the person to reach the distances that she showed him.

Eurydice goes to heaven and inspires Orpheus from heaven. And every time when Orpheus, through his beautiful music, inspired, approaches the sky, he meets Eurydice. If he is too attached to the earth, Eurydice cannot sink so low, and this is the reason for their separation. The closer he is to heaven, the closer he is to Eurydice.

Orpheus about Eurydice

At this time, the Bacchantes had already begun to bewitch Eurydice with their charms, trying to seize her will.

Attracted by some vague premonition to the valley of Hekate, I once walked among the thick grasses of the meadow and all around reigned the horror of the dark forests frequented by the Bacchae. saw Eurydice. She walked slowly, not seeing me, heading towards the cave. Eurydice stopped, indecisive, and then resumed her path, as if impelled by magical power, closer and closer to the mouth of hell. But I discerned the sleeping sky in her eyes. I called her, I took her by the hand, I called out to her: “Eurydice! Where are you going? As if awakened from a dream, she let out a cry of horror and, freed from the spell, fell on my chest. And then the Divine Eros conquered us, we exchanged glances, so Eurydice - Orpheus became spouses forever.

But the Bacchantes did not reconcile themselves, and one day one of them offered Eurydice a cup of wine, promising that if she drinks it, the science of magical herbs and love drinks will be revealed to her. Eurydice, in a fit of curiosity, drank it and fell down, as if struck by lightning. The cup contained a deadly poison.

When I saw the body of Eurydice burned at the stake, when the last traces of her living flesh had disappeared, I asked myself: where is her soul? And I went in inexpressible despair. I wandered all over Greece. I prayed to the priests of Samothrace to summon her soul. I searched for this soul in the bowels of the earth and everywhere I could penetrate, but in vain. In the end, I came to the Trophonian cave.

There, the priests lead the brave visitor through a fissure to fiery lakes that boil in the bowels of the earth and show him what is happening in these bowels. Penetrating to the end and seeing what no mouth should utter, I returned to the cave and fell into Sopor. During this dream, Eurydice appeared to me and said: “For my sake, you were not afraid of hell, you were looking for me among the dead. I heard your voice, I came. I live on the edge of both worlds and cry just like you. If you want to free me, save Greece and give her light. And then my wings will be returned to me, and I will rise to the luminaries, and you will find me again in the bright region of the Gods. Until then, I must wander in the kingdom of darkness, disturbing and mournful ... "

Three times I wanted to grab her, three times she disappeared from my arms. I heard a sound like a broken string, and then a voice, faint as a breath, sad as a farewell kiss, whispered, “Orpheus!!”

At that sound, I woke up. This name, given to me by her soul, transformed my whole being. I felt the sacred thrill of infinite desire and the power of superhuman love penetrate me. A living Eurydice would give me the bliss of happiness, a dead Eurydice would lead me to the truth. Out of love for her, I put on linen garments and achieved great initiation and the life of an ascetic. Out of love for her, I penetrated the secrets of magic and the depths of divine science; out of love for her, I passed through the caves of Samothrace, through the wells of the Pyramids, and through the tombs of Egypt. I penetrated into the bowels of the earth to find life in it. And on the other side of life, I saw the edges of the worlds, I saw souls, luminous spheres, the ether of the Gods. The earth opened before me its abysses, and the sky its flaming temples. I plucked the secret science from under the veils of mummies. The priests of Isis and Osiris revealed their secrets to me. They only had their Gods, I had Eros. By his power I penetrated the verbs of Hermes and Zoroaster; by its power I uttered the verb of Jupiter and Apollo!

E. Shure "Great Initiates"

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 been preserved. 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: a summary

In Thrace, located in northern Greece, lived, according to legend, this great singer. In translation, his name means "healing light." He had a wonderful gift for 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 beloved was short-lived. The myth of Orpheus continues with the fact that one day the couple went to the forest. Orpheus sang and played the seven-stringed cithara. Eurydice began to collect flowers growing in the clearings.

The Abduction of Eurydice

Suddenly, the girl felt that someone was running after her through the forest. She was frightened and rushed to Orpheus, throwing flowers. The girl ran across the grass, not making out the road, and suddenly got into a snake wrapped around her leg and stung Eurydice. The girl screamed loudly in fear and pain. She fell onto the grass. Hearing the plaintive cry of his wife, Orpheus hurried to her aid. But he only managed to see how large black wings flickered between the trees. Death took the girl to the underworld. I wonder how the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice will continue, isn't it?

Woe to Orpheus

The grief of the great singer 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 strength that the trees that came down 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 realm of the dead

Days passed, but the singer could not console himself in any way. His sadness grew with each passing 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 was looking for an entrance there for a long time. Finally, he found a stream in the deep cave of Tenara. It flowed into the river Styx, which is underground. Orpheus went down the bed of the stream and reached the banks of the Styx. The kingdom of the dead, which began beyond this river, opened to him. Deep and black were the waters of the Styx. A living being was afraid to step into them.

Hades gives Eurydice

Orpheus went through many trials in this eerie place. Love helped him cope with everything. In the end, Orpheus reached the palace of Hades, the 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 journey he would not turn around and look at his beloved. In case of violation of the ban, the singer threatened to lose his wife forever.

Return trip

Orpheus quickly headed for the exit from the underworld. He passed the domain of Hades in the form of a spirit, and the shadow of Eurydice followed him. The lovers got into the boat of Charon, who silently carried the spouses to the shore of life. A steep rocky path led to the ground. Orpheus slowly climbed up. The surroundings were quiet and dark. It seemed that no one was following him.

Violation of the ban and its consequences

But ahead it began to lighten, the exit to the ground was already close. And the shorter the distance to the exit, the lighter it became. Finally, it became clear to see everything around. Orpheus's heart tightened 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, dissolved in darkness. Orpheus with a desperate cry began to descend the path back. He again came to the banks of the Styx and began to call the carrier. Orpheus pleaded in vain: no one answered. The singer sat alone for a long time on the banks of the Styx and waited. However, he never waited for anyone. He had to return to earth and continue to live. Forget Eurydice, his only love, he could not. 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 summary with an analysis of the main images presented in it.

Image of Orpheus

Orpheus is a mysterious image that is found in general 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 to cause the gods of the underworld (underworld) compassion that is not characteristic of them. The image of Orpheus also symbolizes the overcoming of alienation.

This singer can be regarded as the personification of the power of art, which contributes to the transformation of chaos into a cosmos. Thanks to art, a world of harmony and causality, images and forms, that is, the "human world" is created.

Orpheus, unable to keep 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 the mythical personification of one secret teaching, according to which the planets move around the Sun, located in the center of the Universe. The source of universal harmony and connection is the power 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 myth, is the kingdom of the dead, starting 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, again taking its children to itself. However, the sprouts of new life lurk in her bosom.

The image of Lyra is a magical element. With it, Orpheus touches the hearts of both people and gods.

Reflection of myth in literature, painting and music

For the first time this myth is mentioned in the writings of Publius Ovid Nason, the largest "Metamorphoses" - a book that is his main work. In it, Ovid sets out about 250 myths about the transformations of the heroes and gods of ancient Greece.

The myth of Orpheus set forth 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 were 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. Anouil, R. M. Rilke, P. J. Zhuv, 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.

Ancient Greek myth "Orpheus and Eurydice"

Genre: Ancient Greek myth

The main characters of the fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice" and their characteristics

Orpheus, a talented singer. Loyal, loving, fearless, impatient.
Eurydice, young, beautiful, shy.
Hades, dark god of the underworld. Harsh, but fair and a little romantic.
Charon, a ferryman across the Styx. Gloomy, harsh, unsociable.

Plan for retelling the tale "Orpheus and Eurydice"

Orpheus and his wife Eurydice
Tragedy in the forest
Orpheus is looking for a way to the underworld
Orpheus enchants Charon
Orpheus in the palace of Hades
Orpheus sings for Hades
Orpheus' request
Hades Condition
Haste of Orpheus
Loneliness of Orpheus.

The shortest content of the fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice" for reader's diary in 6 sentences

The beautiful Eurydice fell in love with the singer Orpheus and became his wife.
Once in the forest she was stung by a snake and Eurydice was carried away by the god of death.
Orpheus went to look for the realm of the dead and found the river Styx.
Charon did not want to transport Orpheus, but he began to sing and no one dared to refuse him.
Orpheus came to the palace of Hades, sang his song, and Hades released the shadow of Eurydice.
Orpheus turned around at the exit from the cave and the shadow of Eurydice flew away.

The main idea of \u200b\u200bthe fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice"
There are no barriers to love, except for your own haste.

What does the fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice" teach
The tale teaches true and selfless love. It teaches you to strive to always be with your loved one, teaches you not to part with your loved ones. Teaches not to be afraid of obstacles, long journey, night shadows. Teaches you to be brave, even fearless. It teaches that talent is honored everywhere. It teaches you not to be hasty, and to strictly observe agreements with those who are stronger than you.

Review of the fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice"
I liked this romantic story, although of course it's a pity that Orpheus, having made such a long and dangerous journey, could not resist and endure a couple more minutes. Then Eurydice would be free. But too much haste ruined the whole thing. But Orpheus himself managed to descend into the realm of the dead and return alive.

Proverbs to the fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice"
The quieter you go, the further you'll get.
Speed is needed, and haste is harmful.
For a darling, seven miles is not a suburb.
Great love is not quickly forgotten.
The work of the master is afraid.

Read summary, brief retelling fairy tales "Orpheus and Eurydice"
Lived in Ancient Greece famous singer Orpheus. Everyone liked his songs very much, and the beautiful Eurydice fell in love with his songs. She became the wife of Orpheus, but they were not together for long.
It so happened that soon, Eurydice was frightened by the noise in the forest, ran and inadvertently stepped on the snake's nest. She was stung by a snake and Orpheus, who ran to the cries of his wife, saw only the black wings of the bird of death, which took Eurydice with it.
Orpheus' grief was immeasurable. He retired to the forests and there in songs he poured out his longing for his beloved.
And his grief was so great, his songs were so piercing that the animals came out to listen to them, and the trees surrounded Orpheus. And Orpheus prayed for death in order to meet Eurydice at least in the halls of death. But death did not come.
And then Orpheus himself went in search of death. In the cave of Tenara, he found a stream that flowed into the underground river Styx, and went down the stream to the banks of the Styx. Beyond this river began the realm of the dead.
Behind Orpheus, the shadows of the dead crowded, waiting for their turn to cross the Styx. And now a boat landed on the shore, the rules of which were the carrier dead souls Charon. Souls began to board the boat and Orpheus asked Charon to transport him to the other side.
But Charon pushed Orpheus away, saying that he carries only the dead. And then Orpheus sang. He sang so well that the dead shadows heard him, and Charon himself heard him. And Orpheus entered the boat and demanded to be taken to the other side. And Charon obeyed, enchanted by the music.
And Orpheus crossed into land of the dead, and walked along it in search of Eurydice, continuing to sing. And the dead parted before him. So Orpheus got to the palace of the god of the underworld.
Hades himself and his wife Persephone sat on the throne in the palace. Behind them stood the god of Death, with black wings folded, Kera crowded nearby, taking the lives of warriors on the battlefield. Here the judges judged the souls.
Memories hid in the shadows in the corners of the hall, whipping souls with whips of living snakes.
And Orpheus saw many other monsters in the Underworld - Lamius, who steal children at night, Empusa, with donkey legs, who drinks the blood of people, Stygian dogs.
Only the young god of sleep, Hypnos, rushed around the hall joyfully. He gave everyone a wonderful drink, from which everyone fell asleep.
And then Orpheus sang. The gods listened in silence, bowing their heads. And when Orpheus finished, Hades asked him what he wanted for his singing, and promised to fulfill any of his desires.
And Orpheus began to ask that Hades release his Eurydice, because sooner or later she will return to the kingdom of the dead anyway. And Orpheus began to beg Persephone to intercede for him before Hades.
Hades agreed to return Eurydice to Orpheus, but put one condition. Orpheus should not have seen his beloved while she was following him like a shadow. Only after leaving the realm of the dead into the sunlight could Orpheus look back. Orpheus agreed and ordered Hades to follow the shadow of Eurydice.
So they passed the realm of the dead and Charon transported them through the Styx. They began to rise in the cave and already appeared in front daylight. And then Orpheus could not stand it and turned around, he wanted to check whether Eurydice was really following him. For a moment he saw the shadow of his beloved, but she immediately flew away.
Orpheus rushed back and sobbed for a long time on the banks of the Styx, but no one answered his prayers. Then Orpheus returned to the world of the living and lived alone long life. But he remembered his beloved and sang it in his songs.