Encyclopedia of fairy-tale heroes: "Orpheus and Eurydice." Orpheus and Eurydice - Myths of Ancient Greece What trials awaited Orpheus in the underworld

Great singer Orpheus, the son of the river god Eager and the muse Calliope, lived in distant Thrace. Orpheus's wife was beautiful nymph Eurydice. Orpheus loved her dearly. But Orpheus did not enjoy himself for long happy life with his wife. One day, soon after the wedding, the beautiful Eurydice was picking spring flowers with her young nymph friends in a green valley. Eurydice did not notice the snake in the thick grass and stepped on it. The snake bit Orpheus's young wife in the leg. Eurydice screamed loudly and fell into the arms of her friends who ran up. Eurydice turned pale and her eyes closed. The snake's venom ended her life. Eurydice's friends were horrified, and their mournful cry was heard far away. Orpheus heard him. He hurries to the valley and there he sees the corpse of his dearly beloved wife. Orpheus fell into despair. He could not come to terms with this loss. He mourned his Eurydice for a long time, and all nature cried, hearing his sad singing.

Finally, Orpheus decided to descend into the dark kingdom of the souls of the dead to beg Hades and Persephone to return his wife to him. Through the gloomy cave of Tenara, Orpheus descended to the banks of the sacred river Styx.

Orpheus stands on the banks of the Styx. How can he cross to the other side, to where the kingdom of Hades is located? The shadows of the dead crowd around Orpheus. Their groans are barely audible, like the rustle of leaves falling in the forest in late autumn. Then the splash of oars was heard in the distance. This is the approaching boat of the carrier of the souls of the dead, Charon. Charon moored to the shore. Orpheus asks to transport him along with the souls to the other side, but the stern Charon refused him. No matter how Orpheus prays to him, he still hears one answer from Charon: “No!”

In the north of Greece, in Thrace, lived the singer Orpheus. He had a wonderful gift of songs, and his fame spread throughout the land of the Greeks.

The beautiful Eurydice fell in love with him for his songs. She became his wife. But their happiness was short-lived. One day Orpheus and Eurydice were in the forest. Orpheus played his seven-stringed cithara and sang. Eurydice was picking flowers in the meadows. Unnoticed, she moved far from her husband, into the wilderness of the forest. Suddenly it seemed to her that someone was running through the forest, breaking branches, chasing her, she got scared and, throwing the flowers, ran back to Orpheus. She ran, without knowing the road, through the thick grass and in a rapid run stepped into a snake’s nest. The snake wrapped itself around her leg and bit her. Eurydice screamed loudly in pain and fear and fell onto the grass. Orpheus heard his wife's plaintive cry from a distance and hurried to her. But he saw large black wings flash between the trees - it was Death that was carrying Eurydice into the underworld.

Great was the grief of Orpheus. He left people and spent whole days alone, wandering through the forests, pouring out his melancholy in songs. And there was such power in these melancholy songs that the trees moved from their places and surrounded the singer. Animals came out of their holes, birds left their nests, stones moved closer. And everyone listened to how he missed his beloved.

Nights and days passed, but Orpheus could not console himself, his sadness grew with each passing hour.

No, I can’t live without Eurydice! - he said. - The land is not dear to me without her. Let Death take me too, even if underground kingdom I will be together with my beloved!

But Death did not come. And Orpheus decided to go to the kingdom of the dead himself.

For a long time he searched for the entrance to the underworld and, finally, to deep cave Tenara found a stream that flowed into the underground river Styx. Along the bed of this stream, Orpheus descended deep underground and reached the bank of the Styx. Beyond this river began the kingdom of the dead.

The waters of the Styx are black and deep, and it is scary for the living to step into them. Orpheus heard sighs and quiet crying behind him - these were the shadows of the dead, like him, who were waiting for crossing into a country from which no one can return.

A boat separated from the opposite shore: the carrier of the dead, Charon, was sailing for new newcomers. Charon silently moored to the shore, and shadows obediently filled the boat. Orpheus began to ask Charon:

Take me to the other side too! But Charon refused:

I only transfer the dead to the other side. When you die, I will come for you!

Have pity! - Orpheus prayed. - I don’t want to live anymore! It's hard for me to stay on earth alone! I want to see my Eurydice!

The stern ferryman pushed him away and was about to set sail from the shore, but the strings of the cithara rang plaintively, and Orpheus began to sing. Sad and gentle sounds echoed under the gloomy arches of Hades. The cold waves of the Styx stopped, and Charon himself, leaning on his oar, listened to the song. Orpheus entered the boat, and Charon obediently transported him to the other side. Hearing the hot song of the living about undying love, the shadows of the dead flew from all sides. Orpheus walked boldly through the silent kingdom of the dead, and no one stopped him.

So he reached the palace of the ruler of the underworld, Hades, and entered a vast and gloomy hall. High on the golden throne sat the formidable Hades and next to him his beautiful queen Persephone.

With a sparkling sword in his hand, in a black cloak, with huge black wings, the god of Death stood behind Hades, and his servants, Kera, crowded around him, flying on the battlefield and taking the lives of warriors. The stern judges of the underworld sat to the side of the throne and judged the dead for their earthly deeds.

Memories were hidden in the dark corners of the hall, behind the columns. They had scourges made of live snakes in their hands, and they painfully stung those standing before the court.

Orpheus saw many kinds of monsters in the kingdom of the dead: Lamia, which steals small children from mothers at night, and the terrible Empusa with donkey legs, drinking the blood of people, and ferocious Stygian dogs.

Only younger brother the god of Death - the god of Sleep, young Hypnos, beautiful and joyful, rushed around the hall on his light wings, stirring a sleepy drink in his silver horn, which no one on earth can resist - even the great one himself Thunderer Zeus falls asleep when Hypnos splashes his potion on him.

Hades looked menacingly at Orpheus, and everyone around him began to tremble.

But the singer approached the throne of the gloomy ruler and sang even more inspired: he sang about his love for Eurydice.

Persephone listened to the song without breathing, and tears rolled from her beautiful eyes. The terrible Hades bowed his head on his chest and thought. The God of Death lowered his sparkling sword.

The singer fell silent, and the silence lasted for a long time. Then Hades raised his head and asked:

What are you looking for, singer, in the kingdom of the dead? Tell me what you want and I promise to fulfill your request.

Orpheus said to Hades:

Lord! Our life on earth is short, and Death overtakes us all someday and takes us to your kingdom - no mortal can escape it. But I, alive, myself came to the kingdom of the dead to ask you: give me back my Eurydice! She had lived so little on earth, had so little time to rejoice, loved so briefly... Let her go, lord, to earth! Let her live in the world a little longer, let her enjoy the sun, warmth and light and the greenery of the fields, the spring beauty of the forests and my love. After all, she will return to you after all!

So spoke Orpheus and asked Persephone:

Intercede for me, beautiful queen! You know how good life is on earth! Help me get my Eurydice back!

Let it be as you ask! - Hades said to Orpheus. - I will return Eurydice to you. You can take her with you up to the bright earth. But you have to promise...

Anything you want! - Orpheus exclaimed. - I’m ready to do anything to see my Eurydice again!

You must not see her until you come out into the light,” Hades said. - Return to earth and know: Eurydice will follow you. But don't look back and don't try to look at her. If you look back, you will lose her forever!

And Hades ordered Eurydice to follow Orpheus.

Orpheus quickly headed towards the exit from the kingdom of the dead. Like a spirit, he passed through the land of Death, and the shadow of Eurydice followed him. They entered Charon's boat, and he silently transported them back to the shore of life. A steep rocky path led up to the ground.

Orpheus slowly climbed the mountain. It was dark and quiet around him and quiet behind him, as if no one was following him. Only his heart was beating:

“Eurydice! Eurydice!

Finally it began to get lighter ahead, and the exit to the ground was close. And the closer the exit was, the brighter it became ahead, and now everything around was clearly visible.

Anxiety squeezed Orpheus’s heart: is Eurydice here? Is he following him? Forgetting everything in the world, Orpheus stopped and looked around.

Where are you, Eurydice? Let me look at you! For a moment, very close, he saw a sweet shadow, a dear, beautiful face... But only for a moment. Eurydice's shadow immediately flew away, disappeared, melted into the darkness.

Eurydice?!

With a desperate cry, Orpheus began to go back down the path and again came to the shore of the black Styx and called for the ferryman. But in vain he prayed and called: no one responded to his prayers. For a long time Orpheus sat on the bank of the Styx alone and waited. He didn't wait for anyone.

He had to return to earth and live. But he couldn't forget his only love- Eurydice, and the memory of her lived in his heart and in his songs.

Literature:
Smirnova V. //Heroes of Hellas, - M.: "Children's Literature", 1971 - p.103-109

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In the north of Greece, in Thrace, lived the singer Orpheus. He had a wonderful gift of songs, and his fame spread throughout the land of the Greeks.

The beautiful Eurydice fell in love with him for his songs. She became his wife. But their happiness was short-lived.

One day Orpheus and Eurydice were in the forest. Orpheus played his seven-stringed cithara and sang. Eurydice was picking flowers in the meadows. Unnoticed, she moved far from her husband, into the wilderness of the forest. Suddenly it seemed to her that someone was running through the forest, breaking branches, chasing her, she got scared and, throwing the flowers, ran back to Orpheus. She ran, without knowing the road, through the thick grass and in a rapid run stepped into a snake’s nest. The snake wrapped itself around her leg and bit her. Eurydice screamed loudly in pain and fear and fell onto the grass.

Orpheus heard his wife's plaintive cry from a distance and hurried to her. But he saw large black wings flash between the trees - it was Death that was carrying Eurydice into the underworld.

Great was the grief of Orpheus. He left people and spent whole days alone, wandering through the forests, pouring out his melancholy in songs. And there was such power in these melancholy songs that the trees moved from their places and surrounded the singer. Animals came out of their holes, birds left their nests, stones moved closer. And everyone listened to how he missed his beloved.

Nights and days passed, but Orpheus could not console himself, his sadness grew with each passing hour.

- No, I can’t live without Eurydice! - he said. - The land is not dear to me without her. Let Death take me too, let me at least be in the underworld with my beloved!

But Death did not come. And Orpheus decided to go to the kingdom of the dead himself.

For a long time he searched for the entrance to the underground kingdom and, finally, in the deep cave of Tenara he found a stream that flowed into the underground river Styx. Along the bed of this stream, Orpheus descended deep underground and reached the bank of the Styx. Beyond this river began the kingdom of the dead.

The waters of the Styx are black and deep, and it is scary for the living to step into them. Orpheus heard sighs and quiet crying behind him - these were the shadows of the dead, like him, who were waiting for crossing into a country from which no one can return.

A boat separated from the opposite shore: the carrier of the dead, Charon, was sailing for new newcomers. Charon silently moored to the shore, and shadows obediently filled the boat. Orpheus began to ask Charon:

- Take me to the other side too! But Charon refused:

“I only transfer the dead to the other side.” When you die, I will come for you!

- Have pity! - Orpheus prayed. – I don’t want to live anymore! It's hard for me to stay on earth alone! I want to see my Eurydice!

The stern ferryman pushed him away and was about to set sail from the shore, but the strings of the cithara rang plaintively, and Orpheus began to sing. Sad and gentle sounds echoed under the gloomy arches of Hades. The cold waves of the Styx stopped, and Charon himself, leaning on his oar, listened to the song. Orpheus entered the boat, and Charon obediently transported him to the other side. Hearing the hot song of the living about undying love, the shadows of the dead flew from all sides. Orpheus walked boldly through the silent kingdom of the dead, and no one stopped him.

So he reached the palace of the ruler of the underworld, Hades, and entered a vast and gloomy hall. High on the golden throne sat the formidable Hades and next to him his beautiful queen Persephone.

With a sparkling sword in his hand, in a black cloak, with huge black wings, the god of Death stood behind Hades, and his servants, Kera, crowded around him, flying on the battlefield and taking the lives of warriors. The stern judges of the underworld sat to the side of the throne and judged the dead for their earthly deeds.

Memories were hidden in the dark corners of the hall, behind the columns. They had scourges made of live snakes in their hands, and they painfully stung those standing before the court.

Orpheus saw many kinds of monsters in the kingdom of the dead: Lamia, which steals small children from mothers at night, and the terrible Empusa with donkey legs, drinking the blood of people, and ferocious Stygian dogs.

Only the younger brother of the god of Death - the god of Sleep, young Hypnos, beautiful and joyful, flew around the hall on his light wings, stirring a sleepy drink in his silver horn, which no one on earth can resist - even the great Thunderer Zeus himself falls asleep when Hypnos splashes into it with your potion.

Hades looked menacingly at Orpheus, and everyone around him began to tremble.

But the singer approached the throne of the gloomy ruler and sang even more inspired: he sang about his love for Eurydice.

Orpheus is one of the most mysterious figures in world history, about which very little information has reached us that can be called reliable, but at the same time there are a lot of myths, fairy tales, and legends. Today it's hard to imagine world history and culture without Greek temples, without classical examples of sculpture, without Pythagoras and Plato, without Heraclitus and Hesiod, without Aeschylus and Euripides. In all this are the roots of what we now call science, art, and culture in general. If we go back to the origins, then all World culture based on Greek culture, the impetus for development that Orpheus brought: these are the canons of art, the laws of architecture, the laws of music, etc. Orpheus appears at a very difficult time for the history of Greece: people plunged into a semi-savage state, the cult of physical strength, the cult of Bacchus, the most base and crude manifestations.

At this moment, and this was about 5 thousand years ago, the figure of a man appears, whom legend called the son of Apollo, dazzling with his physical and spiritual beauty. Orpheus - his name translates as “healing with light” (“aur” - light, “rfe” - to heal). In myths, he is told as the son of Apollo, from whom he receives his instrument, a 7-string lyre, to which he later added 2 more strings, making it an instrument of 9 muses. (muses as nine perfect forces of the soul leading along the path and with the help of which this path can be passed. According to another version, he was the son of the king of Thrace and the muse Calliope, the muse of epic and heroic poetry. According to myths, Orpheus participated in the journey of the Argonauts for the Golden Fleece, helping out his friends during trials.

One of the most famous myths- a myth about the love of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus' beloved Eurydice dies, her soul goes to the underworld to Hades, and Orpheus, driven by the power of love for his beloved, descends after her. But when the goal seemed to have already been achieved, and he was supposed to unite with Eurydice, he is overcome by doubts. Orpheus turns around and loses his beloved, great love connects them only in the sky. Eurydice represents the divine soul of Orpheus, with whom he unites after death.

Orpheus continues to fight against the lunar cults, against the cult of Bacchus, he dies, torn to pieces by the Bacchantes. The myth also says that the head of Orpheus prophesied for some time, and this was one of the most ancient oracles in Greece. Orpheus sacrifices himself and dies, but before his death he accomplished the work that he must accomplish: he brings light to people, heals with light, brings impulse for new religion and new culture. New culture and religion, the revival of Greece is born in the most difficult struggle. At a time when rudeness reigned physical strength, comes the one who brings the religion of purity, beautiful asceticism, the religion of high ethics and morality, which served as a counterweight.

The teaching and religion of the Orphics brought the most beautiful hymns, through which the priests conveyed grains of Orpheus’ wisdom, the teaching about the Muses, who help people through their sacraments to discover new powers in themselves. Homer, Hesiod and Heraclitus relied on the teachings of Orpheus; Pythagoras became a follower of the Orphic religion, who became the founder of the Pythagorean school as a revival of the Orphic religion in a new capacity. Thanks to Orpheus, the mysteries are again revived in Greece - in two centers, Eleusis and Delphi.

Eleusis or "the place where the goddess came" is associated with the myth of Demeter and Persephone. The essence of the Eleusinian mysteries was the sacraments of purification and rebirth; they were based on the passage of the soul through trials.

Another component of Orpheus' religion is the mysteries at Delphi. Delphi, as a combination of Dionysus and Apollo, represented the harmony of opposites that the Orphic religion carried within itself. Apollo, who characterizes the order and proportionality of everything, gives the basic laws and principles for the construction of everything, the construction of cities and temples. And Dionysus, like back side, as a deity of constant change, constantly overcoming all the obstacles that arise. The Dionysian principle in a person is constant, inexhaustible enthusiasm, which gives the opportunity for constant movement, striving for something new, and the Apollonian principle simultaneously strives for harmony, clarity and proportionality. These two principles were united in the Delphic Temple. The holidays that took place in it were associated with the union of these two principles. In this temple, the soothsayers of the Delphic oracle, the Pythia, speak on behalf of Apollo.

Orpheus brought the doctrine of the muses, the nine powers human soul, which appear in the form of 9 most beautiful muses. Each of them has its own component as a principle, like notes in divine music. Muse of history Clio, muse of oratory and hymns Polyhymnia, muse of comedy and tragedy Thalia and Melpomene, muse of music Euterpe, muse of the firmament Urania, muse of the divine dance Terpsichore, muse of love Erato, and muse of heroic poetry.

The teaching of Orpheus is the teaching of light, purity and Great boundless love, all of humanity received it, and every person inherited part of the light of Orpheus. This is a gift from the gods that lives in the soul of each of us. And through it you can comprehend everything: the powers of the soul hidden inside, and Apollo and Dionysus, the divine harmony of beautiful muses. Maybe this is what will give a person a feeling of real life, filled with inspiration and the light of love.

The myth of Eurydice and Orpheus

IN Greek myths Orpheus finds Eurydice and with the power of his love even touches the heart of the lord of hell Hades, who allows him to take Eurydice out of underworld, but with a condition: if he turns around and looks at her before Eurydice comes into the light of day, he will lose her forever. And in the drama, Orpheus loses Eurydice, cannot stand not looking at her, she disappears and the rest of his life passes in hopeless grief.

In fact, the end of this story is different. Yes, great heavenly love Orphea evoked compassion in the heart of Hades. But he does not lose Eurydice. The heart of the underworld represents the sacraments. Orpheus finds Eurydice because he approaches the mysteries of the sky, the mysteries of Nature, the innermost. And every time he tries to look at her, Eurydice runs away from him - like the Star of the Magi appears to show the way, and then disappears to wait for the person to reach the distances that she showed him.

Eurydice goes to heaven and inspires Orpheus from heaven. And every time Orpheus, inspired, approaches the sky through his beautiful music, he meets Eurydice. If he is too attached to the earth, Eurydice cannot stoop so low, and this is the reason for their separation. The closer he is to the sky, the closer he is to Eurydice.

Orpheus about Eurydice

At this time, the Bacchantes had already begun to bewitch Eurydice with their spells, trying to take possession of her will.

Drawn by some vague premonition to the valley of Hecate, I walked one day in the middle of the thick grass of a meadow and horror reigned all around dark forests, visited by bacchantes. I saw Eurydice. She walked slowly, not seeing me, heading towards the cave. Eurydice stopped, hesitant, and then resumed her path, as if prompted by magical power, getting closer and closer to the mouth of hell. But I saw the sleeping sky in her eyes. I called her, I took her hand, I shouted to her: “Eurydice! Where are you going? As if awakened from sleep, she let out a cry of horror and, freed from the spell, fell on my chest. And then Divine Eros conquered us, we exchanged glances, and so Eurydice and Orpheus became spouses forever.

But the bacchantes did not resign themselves, and one day one of them offered Eurydice a cup of wine, promising that if she drank it, the science of magical herbs and love potions would be revealed to her. Eurydice, in a fit of curiosity, drank it and fell, as if struck by lightning. The cup contained deadly poison.

When I saw Eurydice's body burned at the stake, when the last traces of her living flesh had disappeared, I asked myself: where is her soul? And I went in inexpressible despair. I wandered all over Greece. I prayed to the priests of Samothrace to summon her soul. I searched for this soul in the depths of the earth and everywhere I could penetrate, but in vain. At the end I came to the Trophonian cave.

There, the priests lead the brave visitor through a crack to the fiery lakes that boil in the bowels of the earth and show him what is happening in these bowels. Having penetrated to the end and seen what no mouth should utter, I returned to the cave and fell into Sopor. During this dream, Eurydice appeared to me and said: “For my sake, you were not afraid of hell, you looked for me among the dead. I heard your voice, I came. I live on the edge of both worlds and cry just like you. If you want to free me, save Greece and give it light. And then my wings will be returned to me, and I will rise to the luminaries, and you will again find me in the bright region of the Gods. Until then, I must wander in the kingdom of darkness, anxious and sorrowful...”

Three times I wanted to grab her, three times she disappeared from my arms. I heard a sound as if from a broken string, and then a voice, weak as a breath, sad as a farewell kiss, whispered: “Orpheus!!”

At this sound I woke up. This name given to me by her soul transformed my entire being. I felt the sacred thrill of boundless desire and the power of superhuman love penetrate into me. A living Eurydice would have given me the bliss of happiness; a dead Eurydice would have led me to the truth. Out of love for her, I clothed myself in linen garments and achieved great initiation and the life of an ascetic. Out of love for her, I penetrated the secrets of magic and the depths divine science; out of love for her I walked through the caves of Samothrace, through the wells of the Pyramids and through the tombs of Egypt. I penetrated into the bowels of the earth to find life in it. And on the other side of life I saw the edges of worlds, I saw souls, luminous spheres, the ether of the Gods. The earth opened its abysses before me, and the sky its flaming temples. I plucked secret science from under the shrouds of mummies. The priests of Isis and Osiris revealed their secrets to me. They only had their Gods, but I had Eros. By his power I penetrated the verbs of Hermes and Zoroaster; by his power I pronounced the verb of Jupiter and Apollo!

E. Shure “Great Initiates”

Not only people, but even gods and nature itself submitted to the music and voice of the wonderful musician and singer Orpheus. Orpheus took part in the Argonauts' campaign for the Golden Fleece, and with his playing of the cithara he calmed sea ​​waves. Orpheus lived in distant Thrace, was married to the beautiful nymph Eurydice, whom he loved immensely. But his happiness did not last long. One spring, together with her friends, she was picking flowers in the meadow; The god Aristeus saw her and began to pursue her. Eurydice, running away from him, stepped on a poisonous snake hiding in the tall grass and died from its bite.

From the grief that had fallen, Orpheus did not know what to do, how to live further. He sang sad songs in honor of the deceased Eurydice. Trees, herbs and flowers mourned his wife with him. Desperate, he decided to go to the underground kingdom of the god Hades, where the souls of the dead went, and try to rescue his beloved from there. Having reached the terrible noisy underground river Styx, Orpheus heard the loud groans of the souls of the dead. The carrier Charon, who transported souls to the other side, refused to take him with him. Then Orpheus stroked the strings of his golden cithara and began to sing. The sounds of his instrument, his voice pacified the river, it stopped making noise, the groans of dead souls died down. Charon involuntarily listened and allowed Orpheus to enter his boat. He transported him to the other side.

Orpheus, without stopping playing and singing, reached the golden throne of the gloomy god Hades and bowed before him. In his song, he told God about his love for Eurydice, about how he spent his life with her. happy Days. But then Eurydice passed away, and life lost all meaning for him.

The entire kingdom of Hades froze, everyone listened to the sad confession of the singer and musician. Hades and his wife Persephone did not say a word. Having listened to Orpheus, Sisyphus stopped his useless work, Tantalus stopped suffering from thirst, hunger and fear. And even the ruthless Erinyes could not hold back their tears. Orpheus touched everyone. When he finished, silence reigned in the kingdom of gloomy Hades. Hades himself broke it and asked the singer why he came to him in the dungeon.

Forgive me, great Hades, keeper of underground riches and the souls of the dead,” Orpheus told him, “forgive me for invading your domain.” I came to tell you about my love for Eurydice, because I can’t imagine life without her. When it’s my turn to leave the earth, I will also come to you, but now I ask you to return Eurydice to me. Let her go with me to earthly life. She will return to you when you call on her. And I will come to you, but give us time for love.

Hades listened to the singer and agreed to release Eurydice to earth, although this was against his rules. At the same time, he set one condition: Orpheus must not look back and turn to Eurydice all the way to leaving the kingdom of the dead, otherwise Eurydice will disappear. Orpheus happily agreed with everything.

The loving couple set off on a difficult journey along a steep desert path. Hermes moved ahead with a lantern. They have already approached the kingdom of light. Out of joy that they would soon be together again, Orpheus forgot about God’s warning and at the last moment of his stay in the kingdom of darkness looked back. Eurydice stretched out her hands to him and began to move away. Orpheus rushed to catch up with her, but Charon refused to take him to the other side. Eurydice's shadow disappeared into the dark fog.

Orpheus was petrified with grief. He sat for seven days and nights on the banks of an underground river. But no one else wanted to help him. IN all alone he rose to the surface and returned to his Thrace. There he lived only three years in deep sadness and sorrow. Then the shadow of the singer descended into kingdom of the dead, found my Eurydice there and was never separated from her again.