Don’t look back.

Greek Mythology is something I find very interesting, with stories and characters both heroic and gruesome. These myths are told even today, and one of the most iconic tales is the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Orpheus was born as the son of Apollo and Calliope, his father being an Olympian God, and his mother one of the Muses, which were immortal beings who oversaw all kinds of art, including music. With these kinds of parents, it’s no wonder that Orpheus had a natural talent for music. Only his talents were much greater than natural, his skills with the lyre rivals the Gods themselves. 

He was the greatest mortal musician that ever existed, every living thing that heard him play was captivated as if under a spell. Mobs of people would follow him around just to hear him play, wild animals became docile and wide-eyed at Orpheus’ music, even the trees and rocks moved in the ground just to be close to him. Nothing in the world can resist the beautiful melodies that Orpheus played on his lyre. 

During his travels, Orpheus met Eurydice, the love of his life. They were perfect for each other, no one could doubt that they were well truly in love. Their wedding day was as perfect as it could be, Orpheus sang joyful love songs and Eurydice beamed at her husband.

 But soon after the ceremony, tragedy struck. Eurydice stumbled and fell, she was bitten by a venomous snake hidden within the grass. By the time Orpheus reached her side, she was dead. Dazed and devastated, Orpheus buried Eurydice by a meadow, and wandered aimlessly through the world with only his lyre and broken heart.

He dealt with his grief the only way he knew how, through music. He poured his gut-wrenching heartbreak into his songs, and the entire world wept. Clouds unleashed endless downpours, colours seemed to fade on the earth, and even the Gods of Olympus cried when they heard Orpheus’ lament. 

After wandering the Earth for a while, Orpheus could not accept his love as forever lost, he simply could not live without Eurydice. He was determined to get her back, no matter what. Orpheus walked to the entrance to the Underworld and played a tune, the gate split open. He walked down the steps, deeper into the realm of Hades, but no demons dared to stop him, they were mesmerized by the sweet melodies coming from Orpheus’ lyre. He even convinced the ferryman Charon to take him across the river Styx. The demonic three-headed dog Cerberus even laid down when he heard Orpheus’ sorrowful chords, letting him pass. 

Soon he arrived at the palace of Hades. He was brought before the throne where Hades and his wife Persephone sat, the King and Queen of the dead. Orpheus pleaded with them, saying that he could not bear that Eurydice was taken so soon, that his love for her guided him here, where no living mortal has been before. Orpheus took up his lyre, and started to sing.

When he played for the God of the Underworld, all hell stood still. The damned souls of Tartarus looked up towards the palace, and all the demons stopped torturing as they heard the beautiful and heartbreaking melodies that this human filled their ears with. 

Such notes as warbled to the string,

Drew Iron tears down Pluto’s cheek, 

And made hell grant what Love did seek.

• John Milton, “II Penseroso”

  
  

After hearing Orpheus’ sorrowful ballad, Hades agreed to release Eurydice’s soul, but on one condition; he was to make his way out of the Underworld with his love following close behind, but he must not look back at her, or else she will be lost to this realm forever. Orpheus looked the God of the Underworld in the eye, and agreed.

But as he made his climb back towards the land of the living, doubt started to grow in his mind. He doesn’t hear footsteps behind him, he doesn’t feel Eurydice’s breath on his back, he doesn’t feel her presence at all. What if he was being tricked? What if he made the perilous trip to the Underworld all for nothing? That Hades and Persephone were laughing behind his back, successfully tricking him into just leaving their domain without question, with only a hollow promise that his true love will follow, what a fool. 

The closer he got to the surface, the louder his thoughts got, and his doubts and mistrust got the better of him. Standing at the entrance, just one single step before the warm embrace of the sun, Orpheus looked back. The last he saw of Eurydice was her saddened face as she melted back into the shadows of Hades, losing the only chance to be reunited with her one true love. 

Close enough that light we can see

My doubt betrays the better of me

A glance to the stern is all it will be

Her anguished shade will haunt me

Ever on...

Calm seas, winds a-lee

But now the squall’s upon us

We’re foundering, drowning

Don’t look back,

Don’t look back,

Don’t look back.

• Darren Korb “Lament of Orpheus”