Edith Hamilton (p.107-110)
There once lived a man named Orpheus. Orpheus was the son of one of the Muses and a Thracian prince. He was a fantastic musician, so much so that he had no competition accept for the gods themselves. Orpheus' music was so inspirational and powerful that he was able to make living and non living things pursue him. From his music, Orpheus made Eurydice swoon. The two were married, but not for long. Out taking a stroll, Eurydice stepped on a viper. The viper bit her and she was soon dead.Eurydice was taken to the Underworld. Orpheus decided to try and get his true love back, which included going to Underworld and pleading for her to Hades. He faced many obstacles to return his Eurydice.
When Orpheus got to the Underworld, he used his lyre to get past creatures like Cerberus to get to Hades. As Orpheus reached Hades he pleaded to get his wife back and did it through song on his lyre. Hades was so touched by the lyrics, that he summoned Eurydice for Orpheus. In Orpheus' sorrow, he was determined to keep Eurydice, but there was a catch. On the journey to the Upper world, Hades said, that if Orpheus even glanced back to try and see her, Eurydice would disappear forever.
Orpheus knew for sure on the way up that his beloved was behind him. Orpheus finally reached the Upper world. Eurydice was still in the cavern. Orpheus did not realize this as he turned around to greet her. She slipped through his fingers and was taken to the Underworld again. She would stay there forever.
When Orpheus got to the Underworld, he used his lyre to get past creatures like Cerberus to get to Hades. As Orpheus reached Hades he pleaded to get his wife back and did it through song on his lyre. Hades was so touched by the lyrics, that he summoned Eurydice for Orpheus. In Orpheus' sorrow, he was determined to keep Eurydice, but there was a catch. On the journey to the Upper world, Hades said, that if Orpheus even glanced back to try and see her, Eurydice would disappear forever.
Orpheus knew for sure on the way up that his beloved was behind him. Orpheus finally reached the Upper world. Eurydice was still in the cavern. Orpheus did not realize this as he turned around to greet her. She slipped through his fingers and was taken to the Underworld again. She would stay there forever.
Bulfinch (p.151-153)
Orpheus was the son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope. He was presented by his father with a lyre and was taught to play it, which he did. Orpheus was a great musician, if not the best. He grew up and fell in love with Eurydice, a beautiful nymph. They got married and had the time of their life, but only for a short time. One day, Eurydice was wandering with nymphs and was seen by a Shepard, Aristaeus who was struck by her beauty. She fled, and got bitten by a snake in the foot and died. Orpheus was so distraught, he followed her to the Underworld. He played music to the Guards of the Underworld and Hades, God of the Underworld. They came to a compromise. Orpheus was allowed to go back with his wife, only if he never looked back till they reached Earth. But unfortunately, reaching almost to the end, Orpheus thought it was a trick and he looked back. Then his wife disappeared and he lost her forever. :(
Student's Version
Long, long, ago there was lad with a great musical ability. His name was Orpheus, the son of Apollo and Calliope, one of the Muses. He was a wonderful lyre player, that played inspirational music. Orpheus' music was not only soft and soothing, it was magical! It could tame the wildest beasts. His parents were also musically talented, so Orpheus joined the family legacy.
Eurydice, Orpheus' beloved love and wife, died when she was of young age. She was bitten by a snake and died an immediate death. At the death of his love's life, Orpheus traveled to the Underworld. He pleaded to Hades, God of the Underworld, to allow his wife to come with him back to Earth. Orpheus cried his heart out through his lyre. He played it Hades and this showed the God how much he cared for her.
By feeling remorseful due to Orpheus' song, Hades allowed his wife to be set free, but on one condition. Orpheus was allowed to go back to Earth with Eurydice, as long as he doesn't look back when still in the Underworld. Curiosity killed the cat as many say, but in this case it killed Orpheus and Eurydice's love.
Orpheus believed that the God of the Underworld was playing a trick on him and was deceiving him. On returning back to the Upper World, Orpheus looked back to see if his love was actually there. He took a quick glance and saw his wife mouthing the words, "goodbye..". The love of this life was lost forever in the land of life after death.
Eurydice, Orpheus' beloved love and wife, died when she was of young age. She was bitten by a snake and died an immediate death. At the death of his love's life, Orpheus traveled to the Underworld. He pleaded to Hades, God of the Underworld, to allow his wife to come with him back to Earth. Orpheus cried his heart out through his lyre. He played it Hades and this showed the God how much he cared for her.
By feeling remorseful due to Orpheus' song, Hades allowed his wife to be set free, but on one condition. Orpheus was allowed to go back to Earth with Eurydice, as long as he doesn't look back when still in the Underworld. Curiosity killed the cat as many say, but in this case it killed Orpheus and Eurydice's love.
Orpheus believed that the God of the Underworld was playing a trick on him and was deceiving him. On returning back to the Upper World, Orpheus looked back to see if his love was actually there. He took a quick glance and saw his wife mouthing the words, "goodbye..". The love of this life was lost forever in the land of life after death.