Interpretation Essay
Mythology
13 September 2008
Orpheus and Eurydice Interpretation
In the ancient days of Greece, there was group of people known as the Thracians. These people were known as the most musically talented persons in all of Greece, however, of those people there is one who sang the most beautiful out of any other mortal known to man. It was said that he had the most soothing voice ever and that the gods on Olympus were the only ones who could compete with him. This, of course, is the great story of Orpheus, son of the muses and a Thracian prince. This myth can be looked at in three different levels of interpretation; natural, social, and physiological. Orpheus symbolizes the natural feeling of happiness and having fun, the social aspect of dancing and socializing, and last but not least, the psychological effect of an eternal civil war, which at one point in life we all go through.
Orpheus was born naturally with the gift of musical talent. There was no limit to his power when he played and sang. No one and nothing could resist such a joyful noise. One of the most symbolic instances is the time when he was sailing on the Argo with Jason. All of the rowing warriors would be tired, but as soon as he would strike his lyre they would feel refreshed and new. That is the power of music and the feelings it triggers. Still today, music is appreciated in all cultures around the world for the simple fact that it allows you to relax, enjoy yourself, and drift away from everyday stress.
When it came to Orpheus’s social life, he was quite the stud, just because he was absolutely irresistible to any woman he played for. It is written that it was uncertain how he met his wife, Eurydice, but the fact remains that he played for her and she could not get away from him. This romantic part of his life is still the way many people are today. Often times you can hear about a man doing a nice gesture for a women, which the lady finds very sweet and becomes attracted.
The story of these two brief lovers takes a tragic turn after they fall in love. Right after the marriage of Orpheus and Eurydice, Eurydice was walking with her bride’s maids and then she got struck by a viper and died. Orpheus experienced a lot of emotional grief, as we all do when we lose a loved one. Orpheus then went on to the underworld to attempt to retrieve her. At the gates he sung his way through and found his spouse. They went to try and escape but as soon as Orpheus made it out, he turned around and she was sucked back into the darkness. Then later he was playing his lyre and was torn to pieces by a band of Maenads. His tomb was set at the foot at Olympus where you could still hear the music more sweetly than ever. At last he was at peace with his loved one, as we all wish to be one day.
All in all, this concludes all the aspects of this myth; a tale of two lovers that are torn apart and reunited at last. It is still a very symbolic tale today and always will be.
