Orpheus and Eurydice summary. PR in ancient mythology

MYTH OF ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE: summary

Orpheus, the great singer, the son of the river god Eagra and the muse of chants Calliope, lived in Thrace. His wife was the tender and beautiful nymph Eurydice. The beautiful singing of Orpheus, his playing the cithara not only fascinated people, but enchanted plants and animals. Orpheus and Eurydice were happy until a terrible disaster struck them.

Once, when Eurydice and her nymph friends were picking flowers in a green valley, they were ambushed by a snake hiding in thick grass and stung Orpheus's wife in the leg. The poison quickly spread and ended her life. Hearing the mournful cry of Eurydice's friends, Orpheus hurried to the valley and, seeing the cold body of Eurydice, his dearly beloved wife, fell into despair and groaned bitterly. Nature sympathized deeply with him in his grief. Then Orpheus decided to go to the realm 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 possessions of Hades.

At first, Charon refused Orpheus's request to smuggle him. But then Orpheus played on his golden cithara and charmed the gloomy Charon with wonderful music. And he brought him to the throne of Hades. In the midst of the cold and silence of the underworld, the passionate song of Orpheus sounded about his grief, about the torment of a broken love for Eurydice. Everyone who was nearby was amazed at the beauty of the music and the strength of his feelings: both 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 he stated his condition: Orpheus must follow, and Eurydice will follow him. During the journey through the underworld, Orpheus should not look back: otherwise, Eurydice will leave him forever. When the shadow of Eurydice appeared, Orpheus wished to hug her, but Hermes told him not to do this, since there was only a shadow in front of him, and a long and difficult path lay 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 around, and the figure of Hermes loomed ahead and the light barely dawned, which indicated the proximity of the exit. At that moment, Orpheus was seized with deep anxiety for Eurydice: whether she was keeping up with him, whether she was behind, whether she was lost in the dusk. Listening closely, he could not make out any sound behind him, which heightened the unsettling feeling. Finally, unable to stand it and violating 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 moment the shadow melted into the darkness. So he had to re-experience the death of Eurydice. And this time it was my own fault.

Terrified, 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, the prayers of Orpheus no longer touched the old Charon. Orpheus spent seven days on the banks of the Styx, but did not soften the harsh heart of Charon, and on the eighth he returned to his place in Thrace.

Four years have passed since the death of Eurydice, but Orpheus remained faithful to her, not wanting to marry any of the women. Once, in early spring, he sat down on a high hill, picked up a golden cithara and sang. All nature listened to the great singer. At this time, Bacchantes, possessed by rage, appeared, celebrating the holiday of the god of wine and fun, Bacchus. Noticing Orpheus, they rushed at him shouting: "Here he is, a hater of women." In a frenzy, the Bacchantes surround the singer and shower him with stones. Having killed Orpheus, they tear his body apart, tear off the head of the singer and, together with his cithara, throw him into the fast waters of the Hebra River. Carried away by the current, the cithara strings continue to sound, mourning the singer, and the shore answers them. All nature mourns Orpheus. The head of the singer and his cithara are carried out to sea by the waves and reach the island of Lesvos. Since then, marvelous songs have been heard on the island. The soul of Orpheus descends into the realm 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 realm of the dead.

Images of poetic myth are exceptionally popular in world art. Based on his motives, the paintings of the great painters Tintoretto, Rubens, Brueghel were painted; the operas "Orpheus" were 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. For many years in Poland, Sopot hosted the international festival of singers "Golden Orpheus".

Ancient Greek myth "Orpheus and Eurydice"

Genre: Ancient Greek myth

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

  1. Orpheus, a talented singer. Loyal, loving, fearless, impatient.
  2. Eurydice, young, beautiful, shy.
  3. Hades, dark god of the underworld. Harsh, but fair and a little romantic.
  4. Charon, a ferryman across the Styx. Gloomy, harsh, unsociable.
Plan for retelling the tale "Orpheus and Eurydice"
  1. Orpheus and his wife Eurydice
  2. Tragedy in the forest
  3. Orpheus is looking for a way to the underworld
  4. Orpheus enchants Charon
  5. Orpheus in the palace of Hades
  6. Orpheus sings for Hades
  7. Orpheus' request
  8. Hades Condition
  9. Haste of Orpheus
  10. Loneliness of Orpheus.
The shortest content of the fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice" for the reader's diary in 6 sentences
  1. The beautiful Eurydice fell in love with the singer Orpheus and became his wife.
  2. Once in the forest she was stung by a snake and Eurydice was carried away by the god of death.
  3. Orpheus went to look for the realm of the dead and found the river Styx.
  4. Charon did not want to transport Orpheus, but he began to sing and no one dared to refuse him.
  5. Orpheus came to the palace of Hades, sang his song, and Hades released the shadow of Eurydice.
  6. 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, a long road, 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 a summary, a brief retelling of the tale "Orpheus and Eurydice"
The famous singer Orpheus lived in ancient Greece. 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 then a boat landed on the shore, driven by the carrier of 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 the 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 climb up in the cave, and already daylight appeared ahead. 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 one long life. But he remembered his beloved and sang it in his songs.

Drawings and illustrations for the fairy tale "Orpheus and Eurydice"

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is a tragic love story. Perhaps one of the most famous Greek myths, it inspired many important artists such as Peter Paul Rubens and Nicolas Poussin.

In addition, many operas, songs and plays have been written in honor of these two great lovers who tragically lost the opportunity to enjoy their love.

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice has been told in many versions, with slight differences between them. The earliest account comes from Ibek (circa 530 BC), a Greek lyric poet. We hereby present you with a mixture of these different versions.

Orpheus, talented in music

Orpheus is known as the most talented music player of ancient times. It is said that the god Apollo was his father, from whom he took his exceptional talent in music, and Muse Calliope was his mother. He lived in Thrace, in the northeastern part of Greece.

Orpheus had a divinely gifted voice that could charm anyone who heard it. When he was first introduced to the lyre as a child, he quickly mastered it. The myth says that no god or mortal can resist his music, and even rocks and trees will move beside him.

According to some ancient texts, Orpheus is accredited to teach agriculture, writing, and medicine to mankind. He is also credited with being an astrologer, seer and founder of many mystical rites. The strange and enthusiastic music of Orpheus would intrigue the mind of people with things beyond the natural and allow the mind to be expanded with new unusual theories.

However, in addition to musical talent, Orpheus also had an adventurous character. He was believed to have taken part in the Argonaut Expedition, which is the journey of Jason and his fellow Argonauts to reach Colchis and steal the Golden Fleece.

In fact, Orpheus played a vital role during the expedition because, by playing his music, he put to sleep the "sleepless dragon" that guarded the Golden Fleece, and thus Jason managed to obtain the Fleece. Moreover, the music of Orpheus saved the Argonauts from the Sirens, strange effeminate creatures who seduced men with their pleasant voice and then killed them.

Love at first sight

Orpheus spent most of his early years in idyllic pursuits of music and poetry. His skill far exceeded the fame and respect of his music. Both humans and beasts will be fascinated by it, and oftentimes even the most inanimate objects yearn to be near it.

In his youth he mastered the lyre, and his melodious voice drew his audience from afar. It was at one such meeting of people and animals that his gaze fell on a wooden nymph. The girl's name was Eurydice, she was beautiful and shy.

She was drawn to Orpheus, enchanted by his voice, and it was a spell of beauty in music and appearance that neither could look away from each other. Something inexplicable touched the hearts of the two young people, and soon they felt a tender love, unable to spend a single moment from each other. After a while they decided to get married.

Their wedding day was bright and clear. Hymen, the god of marriage, blessed their marriage, and then a great feast followed. The environment was filled with laughter and fun. Soon the shadows became large, signaling the end of the revelry that had lasted most of the day, and all the wedding guests said goodbye to the newlyweds, who were still sitting hand in hand and with starry eyes. Soon they both realized that it was time for them, and went home.

Snake bite

However, soon everything will change, and grief will bring happiness. There was one man who despised Orpheus and desired Eurydice for himself. Aristaeus, a shepherd, devised a plan to subdue a beautiful nymph. And there he is, waiting in the bushes until a young couple passes by. Seeing that the lovers were approaching, he intended to jump on them and kill Orpheus. When the shepherd made his move, Orpheus grabbed Eurydice by the hand and began to run through the forest.

The chase was long and Aristaeus showed no signs of giving up or slowing down. Again and again they ran, and Orpheus suddenly felt Eurydice stumble and fall, her hand slipping out of his. Unable to comprehend what had just happened, he rushed towards her, but stopped in dismay as his eyes took in the deathly pallor that covered her cheeks.

Looking around, he did not see any trace of the shepherd, because Aristaeus was a witness to this event and left. A few steps away, Eurydice stepped on a nest of snakes and was bitten by a deadly viper. Knowing that there was no chance of survival, Aristaeus abandoned the attempt, cursing his luck and Orpheus.

supernatural plan

After the death of his beloved wife, Orpheus was no longer the same carefree person that he was before. His life without Eurydice seemed endless and could do nothing for her but grief. It was then that he had a great, but still crazy idea: he decided to go to the underworld and try to get his wife back. Apollo, his father, spoke to Hades, the god of the underworld, to receive him and hear his plea.

Armed with his weapons, lyre and voice, Orpheus approached Hades and demanded entry into the underworld. Nobody disputed it. Standing in front of the rulers of the dead, Orpheus said why he was there, in a voice that was both dull and unsettling. He played his lyre and sang to King Hades and Queen Persephone that Eurydice had been returned to him. Even the most carefree people or gods could not ignore the pain in his voice.

Hades wept openly, Persephone's heart melted, and even Cerberus, the giant three-headed hound that guarded the entrance to the underworld, covered his ears with his paws and howled in despair. Orpheus's voice was so touching that Hades promised this desperate man that Eurydice would follow him to the Upper World, the world of the living.

However, he warned Orpheus that all of a sudden he should look back while his wife was still in the dark, because that would destroy everything he hoped for. He should wait until Eurydice comes into the light before he looks at her.

With great faith in his heart and joy in his song, Orpheus began his journey from the underworld, joyful that he would be reunited with his love again. When Orpheus reached the exit from the Underworld, he heard the steps of his wife approaching him. He wanted to turn around and hug her immediately, but managed to control his feelings.

As he neared the exit, his heart beat faster and faster. The moment he stepped onto the world of the living, he turned his head to embrace his wife. Unfortunately, he only got a glimpse of Eurydice before she was pulled back into the underworld.

When Orpheus turned his head, Eurydice was still in darkness, she did not see the sun and, as Hades warned Orpheus, his sweet wife was drowned in the dark world of the dead. Waves of torment and despair washed over him and, trembling with grief, he again approached the Underworld, but this time he was denied entry, the gates were closed, and the god Hermes, sent by Zeus, did not let him inside.

Death of Orpheus

Since then, the broken-hearted musician has wandered, disoriented day after day, night after night, in utter despair. He could not find solace in anything. His misfortune tormented him, forcing him to refrain from associating with any other woman, and slowly but surely he found himself avoiding their company entirely. His songs were no more joyful, but extremely sad. His only consolation was to lie on a huge rock and feel the caress of the wind, his only vision was the open sky.

And it so happened that a group of angry women, enraged because of his contempt for them, attacked him. Orpheus was so desperate that he did not even try to repel their advances. The women killed him, cut his body into pieces and threw them and his lyre into the river.

It is said that his head and lyre floated downstream to the island of Lesvos. There the Muses found them and gave Orpheus a proper burial ceremony. People believed that his grave radiated music, mournful but beautiful. His soul descended to Hades, where he was finally reunited with his beloved Eurydice.

Comparison with the biblical scene

If you carefully observe the above myth, you will find a comparison between this ancient Greek myth and the scene from the Bible. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is similar to the story of Lot. The "no looking back" analogy goes a long way in both stories.

In Genesis, when God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities drowned in sin, he ordered a good man, Lot, to take his family and leave the area. God told them to go to the mountains without looking back at the city being destroyed.

As they were leaving the city, Lot's wife could not help but turn around to see the burning cities. She was immediately transformed into a pillar of salt! This can be done as a direct and terrible consequence of disobedience to God.

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, even if in the underworld I will be together 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, 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 Thunderer Zeus himself falls asleep when Hypnos splashes into him with his potion.

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.

Without breathing, Persephone listened to the song, and tears rolled from her beautiful eyes. Terrible Hades bowed his head on his chest and thought. The God of Death lowered his shining 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 realm of the dead? Tell me what you want, and I promise you to fulfill your request.

Orpheus said to Hades:

Lord! Our life on earth is short, and Death overtakes all of us someday and takes us to your kingdom - none of the mortals can escape it. But I, alive, myself came to the kingdom of the dead to ask you: give me back my Eurydice! She has lived so little on earth, so little time to rejoice, so little love ... Let her go, lord, to earth! Let her live a little longer in the world, let her enjoy the sun, the warmth and light and the greenery of the fields, the beauty of the spring forests and my love. After all, after all, she will return to you!

Thus spoke Orpheus and asked Persephone:

Intercede for me, beautiful queen! You know how good life on earth is! 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 land. But you have to promise...

Whatever you order! Orpheus exclaimed. - I'm ready for anything to see my Eurydice again!

You must not see her until you come out into the light,” said Hades. - Return to earth and know that Eurydice will follow you. But don't look back and don't try to look at her. If you look back, you will lose her forever!

And Hades ordered Eurydice to follow Orpheus.

Orpheus quickly went to the exit from the realm of the dead. Like a spirit, he passed the country of Death, and the shadow of Eurydice followed him. They entered Charon's boat, and he silently carried them back to the shore of life. A steep rocky path led up to the ground.

Slowly climbed Mount Orpheus. It was dark and quiet all around, and it was quiet behind him, as if no one was following him. Only his heart was beating.

"Eurydice! Eurydice!

At last it began to lighten up ahead, the exit to the ground was close. And the closer the exit was, the brighter it became in front, and now everything became clearly visible around.

Anxiety squeezed the heart of Orpheus: is Eurydice here? Does he follow him? Forgetting everything in the world, Orpheus stopped and looked around.

Where are you, Eurydice? Let me take a look at you! For a moment, quite close, he saw a sweet shadow, a dear, beautiful face... But only for a moment. Immediately the shadow of Eurydice flew away, disappeared, melted into the darkness.

Eurydice?!

With a desperate cry, Orpheus began to descend back along the path and again came to the shore of the black Styx and called for the carrier. But in vain he prayed and called: no one answered his prayers. For a long time Orpheus sat alone on the banks of the Styx 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 - c.103-109

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 the characters of Greek mythology.

The plot belongs to antiquity, there are many dramatic elements and techniques that make the work rich.

Characters

Orpheus is a musician.

Eurydice is the musician's wife.

Cupid is the god of love, he connects loving hearts.

Blessed shadow - lives in the realm of the dead.

Furies, shepherd, shadows of the dead, spirits.

Summary of Myth and Legend Orpheus and Eurydice (opera)

Orpheus is a wonderful musician, but he cannot be calm because his beloved Eurydice has died. He spends all the time near her tomb. He is so bad without her that he asks heaven to return her or reduce him. His unusually velvety voice was heard by the gods. Then Zeus tells Cupid to go down and announce 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 touches the spirits. But there are conditions that he must comply with. He is forbidden to look back and look into the eyes of his wife. 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. Spirits make concessions to him, and he enters the underworld. Having passed all the obstacles, he enters the world of blissful shadows. This place is called Elysium. Eurydice is here. He feels peace and tranquility here, but is not happy without his beloved. Beautiful scenery, birdsong bring him inspiration. He sings about the beauty of this nature. His songs attract the shadows that bring his beloved. The shadow removes her veil and joins their hands, but reminds him of the obligatory condition. Orpheus is in a hurry to leave the afterlife and goes without looking back. The closer they are to the exit, the more Eurydice turns into a real woman.

They again fall into a terrible gorge, Orpheus tries to pass it faster, but his wife asks to look at her. But Orpheus is not inclined, she is disappointed in his love and refuses to leave the kingdom of the dead. Then he violates the condition and hugs his wife. But a terrible prophecy comes true, Eurydice is dead forever.

Orpheus despaired a little more, and they would have been happy, but now he simply has no reason to live. He wants to take his own life. 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 overcome. Perhaps that is why we feel our guilt before the dead, because something was not added or not loved.

Picture or drawing by Christoph Gluck - Orpheus and Eurydice

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