Orpheus: The Greek Hero

The Rise and Fall There are many talented musicians in the world, but few ever become both blessed with fame. The Greek hero Orpheus was gifted with superhuman musical skills (“Orpheus” Merriam.) He is well known for playing his lyre and his singing abilities throughout his life. Orpheus is the son of a muse named Calliope, and either Apollo or Oeagrus, a king of Thrace (“Orpheus” Encyclopedia.) There are some versions who believed his father is Oeagrus while others state it is Apollo. According to some versions of the myth, Apollo gave Orpheus his first lyre and taught him how to play it. His mother, Calliope, was said to also be the person who taught him how to sing. Soon after his lessons he became quite the musician. Today, there are
Michael Jackson and Orpheus are proof that by using their talents they can achieve much more for others in return. Orpheus was always caught up in situations where he had to help others. He always took the time to help others who requested his assistance. On the expedition of the Argonauts, he was the main reason why they were able to survive the expedition. During the voyage he helped the Argonauts by charming the fish with his lyre for food during the long journey. His most significant contribution was when he saved the Argonauts from the hypnotizing Sirens. As the Argo neared the island, Orpheus began to play his lyre and sang so loud that one could not hear the Sirens anymore, thus preventing the crew from being seduced into a devastating shipwreck (cite.) Even though he meant well, some of his missions did not turn out the way he planned. When he fell in love and married Eurydice, she soon died from a bite of a serpent (cite.) Distraught and miserable, he decided to go to the underworld to bring her back. Once again, using his lyre and voice, he sang a plea to Hades. After listening to is beautiful, sorrowful voice, Hades wept and had no choice but to let Orpheus be reunited with Eurydice. Hades also gave him one condition to follow. It was to not look back into the darkness of the underworld when leading Eurydice to the surface. Just as they were about to reach the upper world, Orpheus looked back to make sure she was really behind him, and Eurydice disappeared back into the underworld, breaking the one condition with Hades. Though he had failed trying to save his one love, he had the unselfish intention of bringing her back from the netherworld