# Book X: Orpheus and Eurydice explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Orpheus descends to the underworld to retrieve his wife Eurydice, charming Pluto and Persephone with his music. He is granted her return on the condition that he not look back until they reach the upper world. Overcome by love and anxiety, he turns to gaze upon her just before the exit, and she vanishes forever. Grief-stricken, Orpheus shuns women and retreats to the wilderness, where his music causes trees and rocks to gather around him. The chapter also includes the tale of Cyparissus, who is transformed into a cypress tree after accidentally killing his beloved stag, and the story of Hippomenes and Atalanta, where Venus aids Hippomenes in a race for Atalanta's hand.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Orpheus's love for Eurydice drives him to the underworld, and his longing gaze causes her second death; Hippomenes's desire for Atalanta leads him to risk his life.

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Cyparissus is transformed into a cypress tree; the trees and rocks gather around Orpheus as he plays; the golden apples are a transformative gift from Venus.

### Mortality and Immortality

Orpheus attempts to reverse Eurydice's death, but mortality ultimately prevails; the underworld is the realm of the dead, and only through art does Orpheus achieve a kind of immortality.

### Fate and Prophecy

The condition of not looking back is a fateful test; Orpheus's failure is predetermined by his human frailty.

## Character check-ins

### Orpheus

Descends to Hades to retrieve Eurydice; loses her by looking back; later shuns women and charms nature with his music.

### Pluto

King of the underworld, moved by Orpheus's song to allow Eurydice's return.

### Proserpine

Queen of the underworld, also moved by Orpheus's plea.

### Venus

Aids Hippomenes in the race against Atalanta by providing golden apples.

### Apollo

Associated with Cyparissus, whom he loved and later transformed into a cypress tree.

### Cyparissus

A youth who accidentally kills his stag and is transformed into a cypress tree by Apollo.

### Hippomenes

Challenges Atalanta to a race, aided by Venus's golden apples.

### Atalanta

Swift-footed maiden who races suitors; moved by Hippomenes's beauty and courage.

## Key lines

> Orpheus, by his skill in music, obtains from Pluto the restoration of his wife Eurydice on condition of not looking behind him till his arrival in the upper regions: his promises are forgotten; and he turns to gaze on his long-lost wife, who instantly vanishes from his eyes

Orpheus uses his musical talent to convince Pluto to allow Eurydice to return to life, but the agreement requires that he not look back at her until they reach the world above. He breaks this promise, and she disappears forever.

_This is the central event of the Orpheus myth, illustrating the tension between love and obedience._

> Now through the noiseless throng their way they bend, And both with pain the rugged road ascend: Dark was the path, and difficult, and steep, And thick with vapours from the smoky deep.

They make their way through the silent crowd of the dead, climbing a dark, steep, and difficult path filled with thick smoke from the underworld.

_The description emphasizes the arduous journey from death back to life._

> When he, mistrusting lest her steps might stray, And gladsome of the glimpse of dawning day, His longing eyes impatient backward cast To catch a lover's look, but look'd his last;

Fearing that Eurydice might lag behind and eager to see the light of day, Orpheus impatiently looks back to catch a glimpse of her, but this is the last time he sees her alive.

_Orpheus's doubt and desire cause the tragic loss of his wife._

> A hill there was, and on that hill a mead, With verdure thick, but destitute of shade; Where, now, the muse's son no sooner sings, No sooner strikes his sweet-resounding strings, But distant groves the flying sounds receive, And listening trees their rooted stations leave;

On a treeless hill, Orpheus begins to sing and play his lyre, and the trees from far away hear the music and uproot themselves to gather around him.

_This illustrates the enchanting power of Orpheus's music over nature._

## Links

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