I’ve been thinking about Orpheus. Endowed with musical talents by the gods, he could charm the beasts, rocks, and trees into dance through the chords of his lyre and his passionate voice. When Orpheus’ love Eurydice was bitten by a serpent and died, he descended into Hades to bring her back, charming Charon, Cerberus, and even Hades himself with his art. Hades bowed to the power of Orpheus’ Love for Eurydice, and he allowed Orpheus to reclaim the life of his wife on one condition: that they do not look back until they are safely under Apollo’s sun. Rejoined, the lovers made their way toward the surface, Orpheus slightly ahead of Eurydice to lead the way through the treacherous catacombs of hell. Nearing the surface, Orpheus worried that Eurydice no longer followed, so he allowed himself a look of reassurance. Upon turning, Eurydice was reclaimed by the Underworld, her farewellbarely echoing through the black caverns, and Orpheus only had himself to blame. His impatience to see her beauty, so the story goes, lost her forever.

Ovid’s Orpheus becomes bitter, spending time in the Metamorphoses telling stories of equally embittered and neurotic men and their failed connections with women, the most famous being the tale of Pygmalion and his wife made out of ivory, and taking up with “young boys only” after Eurydice dies a second time. On one hand, I admire Orpheus for his devotion to Eurydice, loving her with such intensity that he went to hell for her. This is the stuff romantics love. Yet, Orpheus’ impatience — his need to possess? his need to be in control? his need for reassurance? — cost him what he most desired. Had Orpheus had faith in Eurydice to begin with, he would not have lost her; or maybe if he allowed her to walk with him. I’m sure some romatic poet (maybe Ovid, though he is no romantic) added the part about his impatience to see her beauty; Orpheus just didn’t trust her, and needed to be sure she followed. Where else is she going to go? Yeah, I’m sure she wanted to linger in Hades’ sulphurous crevices for a Starbuck’s latté (I’m sure they have Starbucks in hell, though there’s not one in Macon). Are desire and love concomitant with mistrust and insecurity? Despite his ability to charm all living and non-living things, Orpheus could not control himself and the demons that in him lived. Though he was the son of Apollo and Caliope, he was a man and therefore susceptible to their failings.