Why Orpheus Turns

Preface:

In the myth of Orpheus (Or-fee-us) and Eurydice (You-rid-uh-see), Orpheus and Eurydice fall in love. However, Orpheus is a poor singer and songwriter in hard times. Eurydice is lured by Hades, God of the Underworld, to accompany him back to his kingdom in the afterlife with the promise that she need never struggle or go without again. Once there however, she realises that the Underworld is a grim and lifeless place devoid of joy. Orpheus, believing her to have been taken by Hades against her will, goes on an epic journey into the Underworld to find her and bring her back to the land of the living.

Arriving at the heart of Hades’ kingdom, he discovers that Eurydice had agreed to go with Hades rather than being kidnapped, but nevertheless professes his love for her as she professes her love for him and her regrets at her mistake. Eventually, Hades makes a deal with them. Orpheus can lead her out of the Underworld, but Eurydice will walk behind him out of sight and he will be unable to hear her. If, while on the journey to leave the Underworld, Orpheus looks back even once, Eurydice will be condemned to remain there forever. Orpheus does indeed look back.

Dark shades and twisted meadows ‘neath a tyrant’s watchful eye,

As Orpheus begins his trudge to home and truer skies.

His gaze set forward; his feet toward

Love, like sweet wine on his lips, his heart’s triumphal cries.

But Hades is a cunning king who’s measured every life,

And guards his kingdom jealously and all who share its fief.

He knows we’re weak and that we’ll seek

To poison our own happiness with reason’s twisted knife.

In cleaving Thought from Feeling, fools, we only trick ourselves,

And Hades knows a person’s thoughts can harm what Feeling tells.

Wrings and twists, corrupts and shifts,

‘Til Feeling falls on reason’s sword as Thought, pious, compels.

Eurydice loves Orpheus and follows in his step,

But as they walk his doubt sets in and asks him why she left.

Feeling’s whisper, Thought as listener.

Feeling’s prompting, Thought adopting, inwards doubt has crept.

Though he cannot see behind him, in his mind’s an image clear.

His loved one’s oaths forgotten, she’ll forsake him, disappear

Alone he’ll stand, his head in hands,

And weep as much for foolishness as heartbreak and despair.

With enough Thought doubt is reason and your mind will say it’s so,

Until the urge to look’s as much compulsion, for you know,

“They won’t be there, They’ve left you here”,

And so he turns and meets her eyes. To Hades she must go.

For such is Hades’ insight having watched us in our prayer,

And seen us make the same mistakes, yielding to despair.

Reason lost, and love’s the cost,

For reason can convince you love that’s near you isn’t there.