Orpheus & Eurydice: A Classic Story of Tragic Love

by Edward Eaton

Sometimes the worst thing the gods can give you is what you asked for:

When Eurydice finds herself in Hades she is mocked and tormented by demons. Can her husband rescue her before the fiends of Hell destroy her last spark of humanity? Can she and Orpheus overcome the wrath of the Queen of the Dead?

Genres: Classics, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Romance, Plays, Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Edward Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this verse drama when I was a Literature Professor in Oman at the University of Nizwa. I was running a small theatre company at the university. The best sort of production I could do was light comedy -- we were highly restricted by the university's moral officers. I did have two very strong actresses who begged me to find something more serious. They had both been raised in the West and spoke English fluently. They wanted a piece that would allow them to showcase their skills. Orpheus and Eurydice was what I came up with.

This is a verse drama. The verse is based roughly on haiku. That is, the syllabic structure of the verses follow haiku standards.

if you would like more information, please check out the book's website: www.orpheusandeurydice.webs.com. You can find a sample of the text there. I would love to hear your comments.

[Cerenela (Cherry Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Título: Orfeo y Eurídice
Género: Mito
Rating: 🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒

Los mitos han servido para interpretar al mundo de quienes los cuentan, pequeños o épicos, estos relatos ayudan a comprender la complejidad y la realidad del mundo en que vivieron y vivimos.

Mediante los mitos se han interpretado culturas distintas, se han esparcido lecciones morales y éticas y la razón por la que esto es posible es porque son maleables, nadie es realmente dueño de los mitos y pueden ser cambiados para reflejar la sociedad y valores de aquellos que las transmiten.

Muchos de los mitos griegos advierten sobre los peligros de la arrogancia, y en esa línea, advierten de los peligros de tratar ser más listos que los dioses. Uno de los mitos en que podemos ver reflejada esta advertencia es el de Orfeo y Eurydice.

Orfeo, el más grande músico que ha existido, cree que sus dones son suficientes para desafiar a la muerte y retar a los dioses para rescatar a su amada del inframundo y convencer a Hades de que la deje regresar al mundo de los vivos.

Hades es convencido, o pretende serlo, dejando ir a Eurydice bajo la condición que Orfeo no debe voltear para ver si ella lo sigue. Y bueno, ya sabemos lo que pasó.

Es interesante analizar si Hades realmente permitió que Orfeo rescate a su amada o solo pretendió hacerlo para darle esperanza y luego quitársela, ¿un cruel castigo por desafiarlo?

Este es uno de mis mitos favoritos, y tiene innumerables adaptaciones, una de las más populares quizás es la de “El narrador de cuentos” que la retrata muy bien, aunque mi favorita es Hadestown, la cual reinterpreta este mito para darnos una crítica laboral y social.

¿Lo recomiendo?
Si aún no conocen este mito deben leerlo.

Leído para el club Clásico es leerte

[Rebecca Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice, quick play. It was dark and I loved the story and the lovers complicated situation, although Eurydice was a bit annoying.

[Vaishali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The myth is quite similar to the ancient tale of Savitri and Satyavan, popular in Vedic India.

[tea.ya ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this version of the story it was definitely interesting seeing it portrayed through a poem like style


"The waves fought the tides To be to near me, and the winds Stilled to brush my brow. But they all failed to Find the means to honor me. Iremained unmoved. Then one day he came. Orpheus; he looked at me. He raised his voice and Sang out to the stars."


"For without you, there Is no blue sky. There’s no sun, No moon, no stats, no.
Without you, alllove, Beauty and happiness flee. Birds no longer sing. Flowers failtobloom.
Deer won’t dance, grass isn’t green Fish no longer swim."

[Peder Scott Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Tale with Universal Tellings

It’s notable how the author uses a long and detailed script for all the characters, it evokes both modern English and the words of a Classic Greek Epic. For anyone who wants to perform this story as a One Act play, this book is a good go-to source.

[Douglas Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started it on the train in the morning and finished it on the way home that night. It's the first I read of Orpheus and Eurydice, so I don't know how she ended up in Hell, but I'm sure it had something to do with her vanity. My goodness, talk about high maintenance. Well, it's has a typical tragic Greek ending. I'll probably read some more versions. the story line is interesting.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Read in English class.
I enjoyed this a lot more on my second read.

[Courtland Bethune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Many images ran through my head reading this.

Also inspired what I believe to be one of my best poems.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was heartbreaking

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good retelling of the classic

[ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS FUCKING SAD