Eurydice, in ancient Greek legend, was the wife of Orpheus. Her husband’s attempt to rescue Eurydice from Hades forms the basis of one of the most popular Greek legends.
Who was Eurydice?
Eurydice was a Greek nymph. She was one of the daughters of the god Apollo. She married Orpheus, a legendary poet and musician. She died tragically young, and her lover literally went to the end of the world and returned to try to save her. However, fate would have the last word.
One of the greatest Greek love stories ever told centers on Eurydice and Orpheus. She was a shy but beautiful woman who caught the attention and heart of Orpheus. Their story tells of a truly tragic romance and serves as a reminder of how powerful love can be.
Appearance
Eurydice is said to have been strikingly beautiful and attracted many suitors. However, she was a faithful wife, which ultimately led to her death. In artistic depictions of Eurydice, she is shown immediately after her encounter with the snake bite or on her journey out of the underworld. Regardless of the situation she finds herself in, she is typically shown wearing loose, long, flowing clothing or with her hair gathered in a traditional Greek style.
Myth of Eurydice
Eurydice and Orpheus are the Greek versions of Romeo and Juliet. Without each other, their existence seems incomplete.
The reunion
Orpheus spent most of his childhood exploring and pursuing music and poetry. It quickly became clear that his talent would take him far. He could enchant any crowd, whether human or beast. In fact, he could even enchant inanimate objects.
He often entertained crowds with his lyre and melodious voice. During one such session, he saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She was immediately drawn to him because of his infectious voice, and the two couldn’t break their gaze. They fell deeply in love and couldn’t bear to be apart for even a moment. Soon they were married.
Their marriage was blessed by the god of marriage, Hymen, and the day began with sunshine shining on the happy festivities. But as the day progressed, shadows loomed on the horizon, seeming to foreshadow what the future held for the new couple.
Bites of fate
Unfortunately, fate had different plans for Eurydice and Orpheus. Because of her great beauty, it was not uncommon for other men to find Eurydice attractive and desirable. One of these men, Aristotle, devised a plan to make Eurydice his own. He despised Orpheus and was very determined. One day, he hid in the bushes and waited for the newlyweds to pass by.
He planned to jump out of his hiding place as they passed by and kill Orpheus. But Orpheus spotted him and his plan, so he grabbed Eurydice by the hand and they began to run through the forest, trying to escape their enemy.
But Aristotle was strong and fast and was able to keep up with the couple. Just as he was gaining ground, Eurydice stumbled and fell suddenly. Her hand slipped from Orpheus’s and it took him a moment to stop and turn back for her. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t responding to him as he knelt beside her.
He looked for Aristotle, but he had already left after witnessing what had happened to Eurydice. She had stepped on a nest of snakes and been bitten by a poisonous viper. She had passed quickly, and without warning, Orpheus found himself a widower.
Orpheus’ Plan
Orpheus was not the same after Eurydice’s death. Although he had once been free-spirited and lively, he now had no purpose. He mourned his wife from the moment he woke up until he retired at the end of each day. Through his grief, he was able to devise a plan to get his wife back. It was a crazy idea, but he had no choice. He was nothing without Eurydice.
He planned to go to the Underworld and speak with Hades, the god who ruled the world that accepted the souls of the deceased. He asked his father, Apollo, to speak with Hades and warn him of his impending arrival.
Orpheus brought his lyre and used his music and voice to gain access to the Underworld. He told Hades and the other rulers why he was there. He played the lyre and sang a song to King Hades and Queen Persephone. The pain in his voice was obvious, and the song was beautiful and captivating, like Eurydice. Hades wept, and his wife’s heart melted. Orpheus’ voice was so inspiring that Hades felt he had no choice but to return Eurydice to her husband.
But there was a catch. Hades warned Orpheus not to look back at his wife while they were traveling back to the Upper World. He was to walk ahead of her and remain faithful that she was there, only looking back once they had entered the light.
Orpheus agreed and was delighted that his plan had worked. He began the journey back to the Upper World with a smile on his face. He couldn’t wait to reach the light and see his wife again. The journey was long, however, and his mind began to give his heart doubts.
As he approached the light, he thought he couldn’t wait any longer. Just as the sun hit him, he turned to look at his wife. But because she was behind him and still in the shadows of the underworld, she was dragged back to the land of the dead. Orpheus fell to the ground in despair. He tried to re-enter the underworld, but he was denied entry.
Orpheus spent the rest of his days disoriented, wandering in despair. Nothing and no one could comfort him. He was tormented by his memories and no longer possessed the musical talents he once had. He rejected all the women in his life, which finally, one day while Orpheus lay on top of a rock, looking up, led him to his death.
Symbolism
Eurydice is often depicted with her husband, as neither of their myths can exist without the other. She is also associated with snakes and the Underworld. However, many enthusiasts of Greek mythology would argue that the symbol that best represents her is her beauty.
