Orpheus and Eurydice Summary

Orpheus was the son of Apollo and he was a very gifted musician
whose music could charm mortals, animals and the trees. Eurydice was the
wife of Orpheus and one day Eurydice was wandering with the nymphs and a
shepherd named Aristaeus attempted to make advance toward Eurydice and
she ran off. While running she was bitten by a snake and died. Being so grief
stricken Orpheus played his sorrows in his music which was heard by gods
and men.
In such need for his love he went in search Eurydice in the
underworld. In the underworld he sang his sorrow with such perfection that
Pluto, Proserpine and all of the ghosts of the underworld stopped. Orpheuss
song made Proserpine and Pluto grant him his desire. They let Eurydice leave
with him under one condition; he could not look at her until they left the
underworld.
When they nearly left the underworld Orpheus had forgotten his
promise and wanted to assure that Eurydice was following him he looked at
her and she was instantly gone. Orpheus didnt even have a chance to hug
his love. In such love for his wife Orpheus wanted to follow her in death. He
wandered back into the underworld and kept playing his heartbreaking song.
Orpheuss singing had caused the Thracian maidens to get angry and
screamed to drown out his overpowering music. The maidens ripped him
apart and placed his remains at Libethra. Now in death Orpheus and
Eurydice walk the fields together in true happiness.

Pygmalion and Galatea

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The story of Pygmalion and

Galatea is found in Greek Mythology, and in the famous work
"Metamorphoses", by the great Roman poet Ovid. Their love was so unique
that it is difficult to define it. But from this legendary love story, one thing is
clear, man can never love an inanimate object with as much passion as he
loves a living, breathing being. Love gives rise to desire and without this
passion any love remains unfulfilled.
Pygmalion was a master sculptor in the ancient city of Greece. All day he
sculpted beautiful statues from huge pieces of rock. In fact, his creations
were so wonderful that whoever saw them were mesmerised by their sheer
artistic beauty and exact finish. Pygmalion himself was a fine and handsome
young man. He was liked by all men and women. Many women loved him for
his great skill and looks.
But Pygmalion never paid attention to any of these women. He saw so much
to blame in women that he came at last to abhor the sex, and resolved to
live unmarried. He was a sculptor, and with his with wonderful skill he
sculpted a beautiful ivory statue which was so lifelike that it was difficult to
believe that it was lifeless at the first glance. The beauty was such that no
living woman could compete with it. It was indeed the perfect semblance of a
maiden that seemed to be alive, and only prevented from moving by
modesty. His art was so perfect that it concealed itself and its product looked
like the workmanship of nature. Pygmalion spent hours admiring his creation.
By and by Pygmalion's admiration for his own sculpture turned to love.
Oftentimes he laid his hand upon it as if to assure himself whether it were
living or not, and could not, even then, believe that it was only ivory. He
caressed it, and gave it such presents as young girls love - bright shells and
polished stones, little birds and flowers of various hues, beads and amber. He

adorned his ivory maiden with jewels. He put rainment on its limbs, and
jewels on its fingers, and a necklace about its neck. To the ears he hung
earrings and strings of pearls upon the breast. Her dress became her, and
she looked not less charming than when unattired. He laid her on a couch
spread with cloths of Tyrian dye, and called her his wife, and put her head
upon a pillow of the softest feathers, as if she could enjoy their softness. He
gave the statue a name: "Galatea", meaning "sleeping love'.
But what will be the consequence of falling in love with a lifeless ivory
maiden?
The festival of Aphrodite was at hand - a festival celebrated with great pomp
at Cyprus. Victims were offered, the altars smoked, and the odor of incense
filled the air. When the festivities of Aphrodite started, Pygmalion took part in
the ceremonies. He went to the temple of Aphrodite to ask forgiveness for all
the years he had shunned her.
When Pygmalion had performed his part in the solemnities, he hesitantly
prayed for a wife like his ivory virgin statue. He stood before the altar of
Aphrodite and timidly said, "Ye gods, who can do all things, give me, I pray
you, for my wife" - he dared not utter "my ivory virgin," but said instead "one like my ivory virgin."
But Goddess Aphrodite understood what the poor man was trying to say. She
was curious. How can a man love a lifeless thing so much? Was it so beautiful
that Pygmalion fell in love with his own creation? So she visited the studio of
the sculptor while he was away.
What she saw greatly amazed her. For the sculpture had a perfect likeness to
her. In fact, it would not have been wrong to say that the sculpture was an
image of Aphrodite herself.
Goddess Aphrodite was charmed by Pygmalion's creation. She brought the
statue to life.
When Pygmalion returned to his home, he went before Galatea and knelt
down before the woman of his dreams. He looked at her lovingly, with a
lover's ardour. It seemed to him that Galatea was looking at her lovingly too.
For a moment, it seemed to Pygmalion that it was just a figment of his
imagination. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. But no. There was no
mistake this time. Galatea was smiling at him.
He laid his hand upon the limbs; the ivory felt soft to his touch and yielded to
his fingers like the wax of Hymettus. It seemed to be warm. He stood up; his
mind oscillated between doubt and joy. Fearing he may be mistaken, again
and again with a lover's ardor he touches the object of his hopes. It was

indeed alive! The veins when pressed yielded to the finger and again
resumed their roundness. Slowly it dawned on Pygmalion that the animation
of his sculpture was the result of his prayer to Goddess Aphrodite who knew
his desire. At last, the votary of Aphrodite found words to thank the goddess.
Pygmalion humbled himself at the Goddess' feet.
Soon Pygmalion and Galatea were wed, and Pygmalion never forgot to thank
Aphrodite for the gift she had given him. Aphrodite blessed the nuptials she
had formed, and this union between ygmalion and Galatea produced a son
named Paphos, from whom the city Paphos, sacred to Aphrodite, received its
name. He and Galatea brought gifts to her temple throughout their life and
Aphrodite blessed them with happiness and love in return.
The unusual love that blossomed between Pygmalion and Galatea enthralls
all. Falling in love with one's creation and then getting the desired object as
wife- perhaps this was destined for Pygmalion. Even to this day, countless
people and young lovers are mesmerized by this xceptional love that existed
between two persons at a time when civilization was in its infancy.

Orpheus and Eurydice

The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of the most famous and beloved
Greek myths. A myth about love and passion, and also about the weaknesses
of the human spirit.
Orpheus Son of God Apollo

Orpheus was the son of Apollo and

Calliope, the Muse. Apollo gave his son a lyre and taught him how to play;
Orpheus did to such perfection that even Apollo was surprised. It is said that
nothing could resist to his music and melody, neither friends nor enemies or
beasts. Even trees and rocks were entranced with his music.
Orpheus fell in love with Eurydice a woman of unique beauty; they got
married and lived happily for many years. Hymen was called to bless the
marriage and he predicted that their perfection was not meant to last for
years.
At some time, soon after his omen, Eurydice was wandering in the forest with
the Nymphs, when Aristaeus, a shepherd saw her and was beguiled by her
beauty. He started chasing her and making advances on her. Eurydice got
scared and tried to escape, but she was bitten by a snake and died.
Orpheus sang his grief with his lyre and managed to move everything living
or not on the world; both humans and Gods were deeply touched by his
sorrow and grief.
Orpheus to the Hades

Apollo then advised his son to descend to the Hades and see his wife. Any
other mortal would have died, but Orpheus protected by the Gods, went to
the Hades and arrived at the infamous Stygian realm, passing by ghosts and
souls of people unknown. He also managed to charm Cerberus, the known
monster with the three heads. Orpheus presented himself in front of the God
of the Underworld Hades (Pluto) and his wife Persephone.
Orpheus started playing for them and even the cold heart of Hades started
melting, due to the melodies coming from Orpheus lyre. Hades told Orpheus
that he could take Eurydice with him but under one condition; Eurydice
would follow him while walking out to the light from the caves of the
Underworld, but he should not look at her before coming out to the light
because he would lose her forever. If Orpheus was patient enough he would
have Eurydice as a normal woman again on his side.
Orpheus and Eurydice ascending to life

Orpheus was delighted; he thanked the

Gods and left to ascend to the world. He was trying to hear Eurydices steps,
but he could not hear anything and he started believing that the Gods had
fooled him. Of course Eurydice was behind him, but as a shadow, waiting to
come to light to become a full woman again. Only a few feet away from the
exit, Orpheus lost his faith and turned to see; he was Eurydice behind him,
but her shadow was whisked back among the dead. Eurydice was gone
forever.
Orpheus tried to return to the Underworld but a man cannot enter the Hades
twice, not alive anyway. Here, there are two different versions of the same
myth. According to the first version, Orpheus started playing a mourning
song with his lyre, calling for death so that he can be united with Eurydice
forever. Beasts tore him apart, or maybe the Maenads, in a frenzy mood.

According to another version, Zeus decided to strike him with a lightning

because Orpheus would reveal the secrets of the Underworld to the humans.
In any case, Orpheus died but the Muses decided to save his head and keep
it among the living people to sing for ever, enchanting everyone with the
lovely melodies and tones.

Hinding-hindi Ako Iibig Kailanman

Hinding-hindi Ako Iibig Kailanman
Isinalin ni NBCM
Isang magaling na iskultor ng Cyprus si Pygmalion. Labis na siyang
namumuhi sa kababaihan at naniniwala siyang ang ugat ng kasalanan ay
ang mga babae kayat isinumpa niya sa sariling hnding-hindi siya iibig at
magpapakasal kaninuman. Sapat na sa kanya ang kanyang sining.
Magkagayunpaman, ang pinagbuhusan niya ng kanyang talino ay ang
babae. Hindi niya maitatawag ang kinamumuhian ng kanyang isip nang
gayon kadali sa kanyang buhay ang hinuhubog niya at isang perpektong
babae pa upang ipakita sa ibang kalalakihan ang kakulangan ng kanilang
mga kinahuhumalingan.
Nagbuhos siya ng panahon at kahusayan sa paghubog ng estatwa,
hanggang sa makalikha siya ng hindi matatawarang obra. Napakaganda na
ng kanyang gawa ngunit hindi pa rin siya kuntento. Masinsin niya itong
pinakinis, hanggang sa itoy maging pulido at perpekto. Nang matapos,
pinagmasdan niya ang napakagandang mukha nito. Walang babaeng
maihahalintulad o anuman likhang sining ang maihahambing ditto! Nang
wala nang maiayos sa perpektong estatwang ito ay may kakaibang
pangyayaring naganap na sadyang hindi maipaliwanag umibig ang
manlilikha sa kanyang obra! Isang pag-ibig na matimyas. Labis niyang
minahal ang kanyang nilikha malalim at masimbuyong pag-ibig. Kung
mamasdan at susuriin, tila hindi mapapansin o mapagkakamalang yari sa
kahoy o mamahaling hiyas kundi isang tunay at mahimbing na natutulog na
nilalang ang kanyang obra. Isang kamangha-maghang gawa ng mapinong
binate. Ang tugatog ng pananagumpay ay nasa kanyang sining.
Magmula noon, ang isinumpang kasarian ang nagpahirap ng kanyang
kalooban. Walang hihigit sa kawalang pag-asa ng isang umiibig sa malumbay
na si Pygmalion. Hinahagkan niya na mapang-akit na mga labi ngunit walang
katugon; hinahaplos niya ang mga kamay, at ang maamong mukha na wala
naming katinag-tinag; pinapangko niya sa kanyang bisig ngunit nananatiling
malamig at walang tugon ang kaulayaw. May panahong nagpanggap siyang

batang naglalaro. Subukan niyang bihisan ng ibat ibang naggagandahan

roba at naiisip niyang nalulugod ang kapiling. Dinadalhan niya ng ibat ibang
regalo katulad ng paghahandog ng isang nanunuyong binate sa dalaga, mga
ibon, ibat ibang bulaklak at nakikini-kinita niya ang masayang mukhang
tugon na may lakip na pag-ibig. Inihihiga niya ito sa malambot na kama at
kinukumutan pa upang hindi ginawin sa gabi katulad ng ginagawa ng isang
batang babae sa kanyang manika. Ngunit hindi na siya bata, hindi siya
makakapagpanggap nang matagal. Sa huli siyay sumuko, tunay na aba at
kahabag-habag ang kanyang anyo iginupo ng isang pag-ibig sa isang
walang buhay.
Ang marubdob na pag-ibig na itoy hindi nalingid sa diyosa ng pag-ibig na si
Venus. Nasaksihan niya ang kamangha-manghang pag-ibig na iyon ng
natatanging mangingibig at siyay desididong tulungan ang binatang lipos ng
pag-ibig.
Ang pista ni Venus ay nagmula sa Cyprus kung saan siya kinikilalang diyosa.
Ang mga handog na makikinis at mapuputing sungay ng usa ay nasa
kanyang altar. Ang usok ng insenso ay maaamoy mo sa saanmang dako. Sa
karamihan ng mga naroon sa kanyang temple ay makikita si Pygmalion na
nananalanging tulungan siya ng diyosa na makatagpo ng katulad ng
kanyang obra ngunit talos na ng diyosa ang nasa puso ng binate. Bilang
tanda na dininig niya ang panalangin ni Pygmalion, tatlong ulit niyang
pinagningas ang apoy sa altar na mabilis bumulusok sa hangin. Ang lahat ng
itoy nasaksihan ng binate.
Ang palatandaang iyon ang nagsilbing alaala kay Pygmalion kayat
nagmamadali siyang umuwi at hinanap ang nilikhang pinaghandugan ng
kanyang puso. Naroroon sa kanyang pedestal ang nakamamanghang
kagandahan. Hinaplos niya ito at itoy tumugon. Natigilan si Pygmalion. Siya
bay nililinlang ng kanyang damdamin? O lubos ngang nararamdaman niya
ang init ng kanyang halos? Siniil niya ang labi ng kanyang obra nang buong
pagsuyo at naramdaman niya ang mainit na pagtugon nito. Hinawakan niya
ang mga kamay, mga braso, at mga balikat nito. Ang katigasan nitoy nawala
katulad ng pagkalusaw ng kandila sa kainitan ng araw. Ginagap niya ang
braso ng kanyang nilikha, may pulso ito at pumipintig! Naisip niya kaagad si
Venus. Ginawa lahat ito ng diyosa ng pag-ibig! Hindi kayang mamutawi sa
kanyang mga labi ang labis na pasasalamat at kaligayahan. Niyapos niya
ang minamahal. Makikita sa mga mata ni Pygmalion ang tugon: mabining
ngiti at namumulang mukha.
Pinarangalan ang kanilang pag-iibigan at maging ang diyosa ng pag-ibig ay
dumalo upang masaksihan ang kanilang pag-iisang dibdib. Walang
makapagsasabi kung ano ang nangyari pagkatapos, maliban sa

pinangalanang Galatea ni Pygmalion ang minamahal. Ang kanilang anak ay

tinawag naman niyang Paphos, sunod sa pangalan ng lugar kung saan
ipinanganak si Venus.
~Mula sa Ilaw Pinagsanib na Wika at Panitikan 10