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. Orpheus’s 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 didn’t 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. Orpheus’s 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 image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/stories/galateapygmalion.jpg
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 ion as he loves a living, breathing being. Love gives rise to desire and without this ion 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 iring his creation. By and by Pygmalion's iration 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 ion, 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, ing 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 Eurydice’s 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 kaya’t 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 ito’y 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 iba’t ibang naggagandahan roba at naiisip niyang nalulugod ang kapiling. Dinadalhan niya ng iba’t ibang regalo katulad ng paghahandog ng isang nanunuyong binate sa dalaga, mga ibon, iba’t 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 siya’y 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 ito’y hindi nalingid sa diyosa ng pag-ibig na si Venus. Nasaksihan niya ang kamangha-manghang pag-ibig na iyon ng natatanging mangingibig at siya’y 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 ito’y nasaksihan ng binate. Ang palatandaang iyon ang nagsilbing alaala kay Pygmalion kaya’t nagmamadali siyang umuwi at hinanap ang nilikhang pinaghandugan ng kanyang puso. Naroroon sa kanyang pedestal ang nakamamanghang kagandahan. Hinaplos niya ito at ito’y tumugon. Natigilan si Pygmalion. Siya ba’y 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 nito’y 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