Dating : Story #11: [Steadfast Trust] Orpheus and Eurydice

Today I want to share the story of Orpheus and Eurydice — the tragic Greek myth that taught me the importance of being steadfast in my trust of people, particularly those who are close to me.

For me, in my personal life, I have one demand— I require absolute trust and faith from my family and close friends.

I know it is unreasonable of me to ask this of others, but that is what I want. Because I would hope the person that I love would not doubt me, even if they do not understand what I am doing. I want you to trust me, to have trust in my character, and trust that I mean you well. I also think this is the most romantic promise that someone could make— that they will repose total trust and confidence in another, no matter what happens.

But back to the story of Orpheus and Eurydice —

According to legend, Orpheus was one of most talented lyre musicians on land. He was also the son of Apollo, the legendary God of the sun. It was said that Orpheus was so skilful at his craft, even the birds flying in the sky and running animals would stop mid-path to listen to his music.

The story begins with the untimely death of Orpheus’s wife, Eurydice, after she was haplessly bitten by a poisonous snake. Orpheus was so overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, he stopped eating and started wasting away. Filled with pity for Orpheus, his father Apollo counselled him to venture into the underworld of death to speak with Hades, the God of afterlife, to persuade him to restore Eurydice to life.

At each obstacle guarding the pathway to the underworld, Orpheus would play his lyre and sing of his grief at the passing of his wife. Unable to resist the story evoked by his music, each obstacle/protecting beast allowed him through until he arrived into the presence of Hades and Persephone.

Orpheus began to tell his tale and love story using his lyre — the story of how he met Eurydice, his cherished memory of the life they once shared together. He sang of his grief at her death and hope for her return. Greatly moved by his music and touched by his love for Eurydice, Hades and Persephone agreed to his request to restore Eurydice to life again however there was one condition — Orpheus must walk by himself alone back to the living world without taking one look backwards. If he took one look back, Eurydice would be doomed to stay in the underground realm forever. The gates of the underworld would also be closed to Orpheus for evermore.

Overjoyed with the prospect of reuniting with Eurydice again, Orpheus immediately started on his journey back to the living world but with each step he took closer to ground, he began to doubt. What if Hades and Persephone had tricked him? What if Eurydice had lost sight of him on the long way back to the living world? Tormented by doubt, Orpheus could not resist taking one final look back just before as he stepped back into the living world. In that moment, he saw the ghost of Eurydice looking at him sadly before vanishing before his very eyes.

Orpheus never saw Eurydice again.