Orpheus Research Paper

Orpheus Research The story of Orpheus and Eurydice has been portrayed as one of the most iconic mythic storylines, Harry Potter represents a modern telling of the myth as he, too, enters to the underworld to save something important to his heart. The journey both Orpheus and Harry take is one full of obstacles they must overcome, with the help of their powerful gift, in order to obtain their goals. The similarities found in both the myth and the movie stay true to the foundation of what a “hero saving the world” story should be like, but the details that separate them are what really make them the legends that they are. Orpheus and Harry Potter were both born from two very respected people, despite them being from different eras they were

Harry Potters is known through Hogwarts as “ the boy who lived” because his parents, Lily and James Potter, were killed one night by a wizard “who went as bad as they can go” (Harry, 2001). Having been the only person to survive an attack by the Dark Lord gave him the power to be the only person to defeat Voldemort. Throughout the movie he has to overcome this stigma that comes with being “the chosen one” and must learn to use this power in order to help him in his battle against the Dark Lord to obtain the Sorcerer’s Stone. These qualities both Harry and Orpheus have make them the perfect examples of the “chosen hero” that must put their life on the line for something they love. In their journeys to rescue the stone/Eurydice their powers are put to the test through a series of obstacles they must pass. They are both put through impossible tasks that are meant to show if they are worthy enough of acquiring what they are looking for. These are perfect example of the cliche hero because they are both underestimated heroes who accomplish much more than what they were told they

Shortly after marrying Eurydice she was killed by a bite of a venomous snake in attempt to escape Aristaeus. Orpheus experienced so much grief and played music, which made many of the gods upset they advised him to “go down to the world of death and try to bring Eurydice back” (Hamilton, Web). In order for Orpheus to go to the underworld he must be able to charm Cerberus, Hades three headed guard dog, into a deep sleep for him to be able to pass through. He is able to “struck his lyre, and at the sound all that vast multitude were charmed to stillness” (Hamilton, Web) which gave him access to Hades where he was able to make a deal. He was given Eurydice back, but with one condition that he was not able to turn to look at her until they were back on the upper world. On his way hour Orpheus saw what he presumed was sunlight and in a shot of excitement he turned to look at Eurydice which then lead to her being “slipped back into the darkness” where “all he heard was one faint word, "Farewell."” (Hamilton, Web). Orpheus was able to use his power as a musician and prophet to get through the underworld and all the hurdles that came with it, but at the end of the day he wasn't strong enough to complete the