Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

It's Alphabe-Thursday - E is for Eurydice




The Rogue Speaks:

Well, actually, Orpheus and Eurydice. In Greek myth, Orpheus was the son of Calliope and Apollo(or Oeagrus, depending on who you talk to). He was revered as the most gifted musician and poet in all of Greek mythology. His music had the ability to charm not only the wild fauna, but the flora as well, and he was incredibly handsome to boot!

Orpheus had hung out with Jason and the Argonauts (not the rock group!) and had sailed on the Argo. When the ship had to pass the island where the famous Sirens were lying around on the rocks waiting for sailors to be lured to their deaths by their singing, Orpheus and his lyre prevented the crew from being overcome by the Siren's songs.

Eurydice was an exceptionally beautiful and well endowed young woman whose virtue was known far and wide! She was every man's ideal, and had had many suitors begging for her hand. She only had eyes for Orpheus, however. Frankly, everyone, and every thing only had eyes for Orpheus! That was the power his music had!

Orpheus fell deeply in love with Eurydice, much to the consternation of all those other women who were craving his affection. Several of them didn't mind being bridesmaids when the two lovers got married, though! After the wedding, Eurydice and the bridesmaids went for a stroll in a nearby meadow, where she was bitten by a snake. She died.

Poor Orpheus! He didn't even have a chance to consummate the union! Bummer! There is another version of this story in which the two had some time together before the viper incident, but I think this version is way more dramatic!

Orpheus was so grief-stricken that all he could do was sit around composing sad songs all day long. One day he decided he just couldn't take it any more, and he went to the god Hades, ruler of the underworld, and begged him to give Eurydice back to him. Orpheus could be pretty persuasive with his music, so Hades agreed he could have Eurydice back on one condition. Orpheus could lead Eurydice out of the underworld and back into the upperworld, but at no time could he look back to be sure she was still following him. Things were going along very nicely, with Orpheus in the lead and Eurydice following, and they had almost made it home free when Orpheus decided to take one quick peek to be sure his wife was still behind him. Bad mistake!! Eurydice disappeared back into the underworld, and that was all she wrote!

Orpheus became a total wreck at the second loss of his wife. No one could console him, even though all the women tried their best to get him to come around so one of them could be his number two wife. They all failed miserably!

One day, while Orpheus was sitting under a tree, singing a very sad song about the loss of his one true love, a group of Ciconian Maenads, women who followed Dionysus, came along. It is my impression that they didn't care too much for men, because they attacked him and torn him limb from limb. They threw his head in the river, where it floated down, still singing, and ended up on the isle of Lesbos. The Muses found it and buried it on the island. Then they collected all the other body parts and buried them at Mount Olympus.

It is said that the nightingales at Mount Olympus sing more beautifully there than any other place on earth. Since I have never heard a nightingale, I can't tell you if it is true or not. If you happen to know, will you tell me? Thanks.

p.s. The music you hear is called "Dance of the Blessed Spirits" from the opera, "Orpheus and Eurydice" by Christoph Willibald Gluck. If you care to stick around and hear the next piece, it is from the soundtrack of the movie "Black Orpheus," a 1959 Academy Award winner for "best foreign-language film." It was directed by Marcel Camus, and filmed in Brazil.

50 comments:

La said...

E is for Eternity like the love Orpheus had for Eurydice. La

Jackie said...

very enchanting and interesting. Thanks .

Teresa said...

This is one of my favorite stories! You've told it greatly.

Cher Duncombe said...

Thank you, Judie, for not only sharing this most interesting story, but for the plaintive music that accompanies it. This is why you are such a good artist. Your perceptions run deep.

Unknown said...

What a sad tale! His fate was like that of Lot's wife. Looking back cost a very high price.

genie said...

Your entry is so interesting and informative. Thanks for all the hard work you put into it. The flow of your wads was excellent.
Genie

Judie said...

Cher, it is one of my favorite pieces of music, and the myth is also one of my favorites. Thank you, my sister, for the kind comment.

JD's Mom, I thought about Lot's wife while I was writing this. It is most interesting that this tneme repeats itself over time.

Genie, It was not hard work. I love this myth. And the music is especially enchanting to me. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

ChrisJ said...

So many themes in this myth. Don't look back; don't disobey; Orpheus did his best "work" while suffering from his loss; and maybe most important - don't trust women who drink too much wine and dance all night with Greek gods!!! lol

A 2 Z said...

There is nothing as tragic as a Greek tragedy....I studied Greek when I was young and it taught us so many life lessons! Thanks for your visit and this interesting post.

Anne-Marie

Judie said...

ChrisJ, well that means I cannot be trusted! I have two glasses of wine at night--one before dinner, and one with!

Anne-Marie,thanks for your comment. I am known in the Guild as Cassandra, because I predict, no one believes me, and then I am proved right! There is justice, and it is GREEK!

Cheryl said...

Well that was sure sad. I have heard a nightingale but have no clue if the ones singing at Mt. Olympus sing more beautifully than the ones I've heard.

Judie said...

Thanks for your comment, Cheryl. I have never heard a nightingale! Where were you??

Angelia Sims said...

Oh!! I love a good tale. Greek mythology is so interesting and tragic. You did an engaging job. I will listen to the music when I can get the laptop back from Jason. :-)
Those are great artworks you displayed with this post. Nice.

Judie said...

Angelia, I hope you and Jason have a peaceful night, and are back home tomorrow, starting your wonderful new life together! Thanks for leaving a comment! You and Jason are destined for a long and loving life together!!

ChrisJ said...

You're okay as long as you stay away from those Greek gods!!!

Judie said...

Whew! I am safe! Rod is of Scotish decent!

Jo said...

okay, that was beautiful, yet so very sad ... i do love greek mythology, it is fascinating!

jfb57 said...

Brilliant post! I love the thought of Jason & the Argonauts being a rock band!

RNSANE said...

I love Greek mythology and have been so fortunate to visit Greece on five different occasions. I'm sure, while there, I saw several gods in human form. Thanks for relating this sad tale. Poor Orpheus but, for heavens sake, he DID have two chances and blew it!!

Mary said...

What a sad ending for Orpheus~ you told it brillantly :-)

mle said...

Beautiful but tragic!
ps our babies stay our babies no matter how old... glad Keil is still nearby!

Sue McPeak said...

Well done Oh Rogue Oracle of Orpheus' sad tale. Not that it's a comparison, but we have a 'Don't Look Back' saying in Texas....It's Bad Luck to look back in your rear view mirror at a Hay Hauler!

How different the tale would be had Eurydice had strolled elsewhere on her wedding day and walked BESIDE her husband outta Hades!

Terra said...

wow, powerful to say the least!

Anonymous said...

I loved this...all your posts are very interesting...
thanks for stopping by and leaving comments for me and the Bear :D
~victoria~

Anonymous said...

p.s. i've been feeding your fish :D

paige said...

Your posts for alphabe-thursdays are now my absolute favorites. I remember reading this in high school and being very taken with the story. Although, I thought Eurydice turned to a pillar of salt when he looked at her. Same difference I suppose.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Lovely story of eternal love...

thanks for sharing it!

Jackie said...

I really liked this story btw, and the music..... just thought I'd revisit everyone today . Have a nice week Judie!

Susan Anderson said...

Poor, tragic Orpheus. Made even more so by the evocative music.

Good post!

=)

EG CameraGirl said...

Poor, poor Orpheus! What a sad story!

Unknown said...

You have a great blog... I like those painting.

I am you new follower via AT

Charmingdesigns said...

Love your artwork. Makes me want to get out my oil paints and play!!!

Lourie said...

What wonderfully tragic tale. Thanks for sharing it for your E post.

Ames said...

Ditto what Chris J said. Thanks for sharing. ~Ames

Splendid Little Stars said...

enjoying the music and the story as told by you!

Hear a nightingale here:
here

I commented (on my blog) on your comment about "the importance of being Earnest" because you are so right!

Write Chick said...

Absolutely loved this post. I've never really studied myths and stories about the gods and goddesses. (I guess I was sleeping during that part of high school--wouldn't surprise me). This makes me want to check out a book and read everything I can about it.
So fabulous!

fredamans said...

Exciting and beautiful.

Annesphamily said...

A story of eternal love. Entertainingly awesome! Anne

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

This is an intriguing tales, one with romance and drama! Love how you tell it!

Sarah said...

Stupid men never follow directions do they?

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

Glad to learn about her.
beautifully crafted story,

Anonymous said...

My Goodness that was just beautiful to read, it stopped me in my tracks, how sad. How very, very sad.
Love coming by as always, I so want to buy a piece of art you display! Please check out the Multiple Mayhem Carnival and add a twin post if you have one :)

Judie said...

Mari, I left you a message on Multiple Mayhen Carnival. Check it out.

Is there one piece of my work that you were particularly interested in? Let me know and I will tell you if it is still available. Thanks, Mari!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love mythology! Thanks for sharing that story and the 'e' post. Thanks for the visit!

Short Poems said...

Such a crafted story, beautiful and exciting!
Loved it :)

Unknown said...

This story is always so sad to read. It always gets me frustrated too. If only he had just trusted that his wife was behind him then he wouldn't have to live the rest of his life in such tragedy.

I've actually never heard of what happens to him in the end so this was quite educational. Thanks!

Magyar said...

__Just Grand work here, [Love the toe collection photo] Judie! I thank you for this opportunity to visit this spectacular blog!
__I'll visit again... to explore more deeply. _m

Jenny said...

What an absolutely dramatic and outstanding link to Alphabe-Thursday.

The music, the pictures, the prose.

Wow.

Just wow, Judie.

This wasn't really a link to Alphabe-Thursday.

It was more like an EXPERIENCE on Alphabe-Thursday.

And aren't we all fortunate you shared this. I have no thought of these stories since I took a class in mythology.

Thank you for linking.

A+++++++

Pondside said...

Wow - that just made me take a look at my Alphabe-Thursday posts and think that they could be taken up a notch. Great interpretation!

H said...

I feel for Orpheus. It is so hard to walk without looking back. The temptation for him must have been overwhelming. And to lose Eurydice all over again...