Orpheus is a Greek legendary hero endowed with superhuman musical skills. The Greek God Apollo is said to be his father; and the Muse Calliope, his mother.
Orpheus’ divine musical gifts could not be resisted by gods nor mortals. Even rocks and trees would move themselves to hear his sounds and songs.
While performing his music for a gathering of humans and beasts; his eyes fell upon a wood nymph, Eurydice. She was both beautiful and shy. Eurydice was drawn to Orpheus’ spell of music. They fell in love and married.
A shepherd named Aristaeus despised Orpheus and desired Eurydice. He plotted to conquer the beautiful nymph. He awaited in the bushes for the young couple to pass by. Seeing that the lovers were approaching, he intended to jump on them and kill Orpheus. As the shepherd made his move, Orpheus grabbed Eurydice by the hand and started running through the forest.
While running through the forest to escape Aristaeus; Eurydice stumbled and fell. Her hand slipped from Orpheus’ grasp. He rushed to Eurydice’s side but stopped short in dismay as his eyes spotted a nest of snakes. Eurydice had been bitten by a deadly viper.
Eurydice, the beloved wife of Orpheus, died. Orpheus was mournful and not the same carefree person he used to be. His life without Eurydice filled him with grief. Orpheus decided to go to the Underworld and retrieve his wife.
Orpheus approached Hades and Persephone, Gods of the Underworld. Orpheus played his lyre and sang to them with his irresistable musical talents.
Hades wept. Persephone’s heart melted. The voice of Orpheus was so moving that Hades promised Orpheus that Eurydice would follow him to the Upper World. However; he warned, that for no reason must Orpheus look back while his wife was still in the dark. He should wait for Eurydice to get into the light before he looked at her.
With great faith in his heart and joy in his song, Orpheus began his journey out of the Underworld. As Orpheus was reaching the exit of the Underworld, he could hear the footfalls of his wife approaching him. He turned his head to hug his wife, which defied Hades warning. Eurydice was once again drawn back into the Underworld. Waves of anguish and despair swept over Orpheus. The gates of the Underworld were now shut.
Orpheus was in total despair. His music was no longer joyful; but, extremely sad. His mournful music incited a group of women to kill him and throw his body and lyre into a river. His soul descended to the Underworld where he was finally reunited with his beloved Eurydice.