First off, let me state that this is NOT a blog about my year long stay in Spain whatsoever. If that's what you were expecting and/or looking for, sorry to disappoint. What this IS is a place where I plan to showcase my various written works, poetry above all else (but not exclusively). This is primarily as a medium for myself, though I'm ecstatic with anyone who takes the time to read, comment, or even follow this blog and its contents.
As for the name, Orpheus is the hero of my favorite myth, and in my opinion the most romantic tale ever told. To those who aren't familiar with his tragic history, Orpheus was a legendary king of Thrace (in Ancient Greece) and the greatest musician ever born . Among his many heroic deeds was traveling with Jason as one of the famous Argonauts (alongside other heroes such as Heracles, Peleus--the father of Achilles and Laertes, the father of Odysseus), where he allowed them safe passage past the deadly sirens. But the part of the history that informs the title of this blog comes much later. In a tragic twist of fate, Eurydice, Orpheus' beloved wife, is killed by a poisonous snakebite. Grief-stricken, the master musician plays songs so sorrowful that all the nymphs and gods are moved to tears. Unable to bear the pain that his songs bring them, they advise him to travel into the underworld where he uses his music not only to charm his way past obstacles such as Cerberus and Charon, but to melt the cold hearts of Hades and Persephone--the only person, mortal or god, to ever move them to compassion. In doing so, they grant him the shade of Eurydice to take back to the world of the living, but with the strict warning that he must always walk in front of her and not look back until they both have crossed the threshold. Orpheus strains to do so and, finally, when he crosses the barrier, the love for his wife overcomes him and he turns to look upon her. Sadly, only he had crossed the threshold and as such her shade vanishes and is lost to him forever.
The story of a love so powerful that a man would literally travel through hell and back just to see his wife once more, the tragedy at his immense love being the cause of such terrible heartbreak, and the power of music (and by extension all art) that comes from the heart and soul being so powerful that it can change the threads of fate, manipulate gods and even undo the curse of death speaks to me like no other story I know. It's in honor of the artistic spirit embodied by Orpheus, and by the forces that drive him (love and passion) that I have named this blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment