The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice tells the story of Orpheus, a legendary musician, and his wife Eurydice. After Eurydice dies from a snake bite shortly after their wedding, Orpheus' grief is overwhelming. He travels to the underworld and plays music so beautifully that it charms Hades and Persephone into agreeing to return Eurydice to the land of the living, with one condition - Orpheus must not look back at her as they leave. However, Orpheus breaks the rule and looks back, and Eurydice disappears back into the underworld forever. Overcome with sorrow, Orpheus continues playing music until he is eventually torn apart by women.

1. ORPHEUS AND
EURYDICE

2. HOW THE WORLD AND MANKIND WERE
CREATED?
LOVE

4. PROMPT QUESTION.

5. GREEK MYTHOLOGY
• Greek Mythology is the set of stories about the gods, goddesses,
heroes and rituals of Ancient Greeks. Greek Mythology was part of
the religion in Ancient Greece. The most
popular Greek Mythology figures include Greek Gods like Zeus,
Poseidon & Apollo, Greek Goddesses like Aphrodite, Hera & Athena
and Titans like Atlas.
• MYTH Are stories about gods, goddesses, and heroes passed from
one generations to another. Many Greek myths have a great deal of
influence on our culture. For ages, writers, artists, and musicians have
used mythological characters a their inspiration.”

6. ORPHEUS AND
EURYDICE

7.  Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and
prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth.
He has an ability to charm all living things and
even stones with his music.
 He was the son of one of the Muses and a
Thracian prince.
Eurydice was an oak nymph
or one of the daughters of
Apollo (the god of light). She
was the wife of Orpheus.

8.  Orpheus met and wooed the
maiden he loved, Eurydice. And
when they were married, they
looked forward to many years of
happiness together.
 Directly after the wedding, as
the bride walked in a meadow
with her bridesmaids, a viper
stung her… …and she died.

9.  Orpheus' grief was overwhelming. He could not
endure it. He was determined to go down to the
world of death (underworld) and try to bring Eurydice
back.
 He dared more than any other man ever dared for his
love. He took the fearsome journey to the
underworld.
 He climbed into a cave and
through a dark passage that led
to the underworld.
 In Styx (river) he struck his lyre,
and at the sound all that vast
multitude were charmed to
stillness.

10. And Cerberus, the fierce
three headed dog who
guarded the gates, heard
the sweet music and lay
still to let him pass.
Orpheus continued to
play his lyre tenderly as
he made his way through
the gloomy underworld.

11. Tantalus,Sisyphus and
Ixion, each condemned
for heinous crimes against
the gods.

12.  At last Orpheus came to the palace of
Hades and Persephone, King and queen
of the underworld. Before they could
order him to leave; he began his gentle
song, pleading for Eurydice.
 They summoned Eurydice and gave her
to him, but upon one condition:

13.  That he would not look back at
her as she followed him, until
they had reached the upper
world.
 Then he turned to her It was too soon;
she was still in the cavern. He saw her in
the dim light, and he held out his arms to
clasp her; but on the instant she was
gone. She had slipped back into the
darkness. All he heard was one faint word,
"Farewell."

14. He wandered through the wild
solitudes of Thrace, comfortless
except for his lyre, playing, always
playing, and the rocks and the rivers
and the trees heard him gladly, his
only companions.
 But at last a band of Maenads [women] came upon
him.... They slew the gentle musician, tearing him
limb from limb, borne along past the river's mouth
on to the Lesbian shore; nor had it suffered any
change from the sea when the Muses found it and
buried it in the sanctuary of the island. His limbs
they gathered and placed in a tomb at the foot of
Mount Olympus. ….and there to this day the
nightingales sing more sweetly than anywhere else.

15. PROCESSING QUESTIONS
1. What was the greatest strength of Orpheus? What was his
weakness?
2. What reasons might the gods have for allowing Orpheus
and Eurydice to be reunited?
3. Explain why the gods gave a condition to Orpheus and to
his bride to return to earth.
4. What role does mythology played in today’s world? How
does it teach people lessons?

16. ACTIVITY #1: Slogan Making
Directions: Create a slogan for the
theme of the story.
Assignment: Research about the
Flower-Myths: Narcissus, Hyacinth, and
Adonis