Film Adaptations Inspired by Orpheus and Eurydice: Why is the Myth still so Relevant?
- achillesreel
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
Zoe
The Original Myth
The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of the most classic tragic love stories of all time, and follows Orpheus (a musically gifted son of Apollo) and Eurydice (a wood nymph). One day, while playing his lyre in the woods, Orpheus is entranced by Eurydice’s beauty, and her by his beautiful playing. They soon married and lived in bliss. However, this did not last long, as a shepherd named Aristaeus was also in love with Eurydice. He planned to kill Orpheus with a venomous snake and hid in the forest to ambush the happy couple. He was unable to kill Orpheus, who began to run away, pulling Eurydice with him. However, Eurydice stepped on the venomous snake and Orpheus was unable to save her; thus she descended into the Underworld. Orpheus was distraught. He went to his father, Apollo, who convinced Hades to allow Orpheus to enter the Underworld and beg for Eurydice’s return to the living world. Orpheus played his lyre and sang so beautifully for Hades that he agreed to let Orpheus take Eurydice back, on one condition. Orpheus was to lead Eurydice out of the Underworld, but without looking back once until she had reached the light of the world of the living. Orpheus, overjoyed, began to lead Eurydice out of the Underworld. However, when he turned to embrace his wife, she had not yet entered the world of the living. Thus, she was condemned to the Underworld forever.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
One of the most well-known films with links to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is the sapphic cult classic Portrait of a Lady on Fire, directed by Céline Sciamma. The film follows the love affair between Marianne, a painter, and Héloïse, the daughter of a rich woman who is engaged to be married. Marianne is commissioned to paint Héloïse’s portrait in secret, and they fall in love in the process. However, their love cannot last forever, and eventually Marianne must leave and Héloïse must marry her nameless husband. Despite the myth only being mentioned twice in the entire film, the idea that looking can be dangerous - but perhaps worth the risk - is woven throughout. The basis of the film revolves around looking: Marianne must subtly observe Héloïse in order to paint her in secret, and Héloïse herself is being looked at. One night, they read Ovid’s Metamorphoses together. They debate over the ‘poet’s choice’ and the ‘lover’s choice’. Héloïse argues that Eurydice called for Orpheus to turn back to secure her own fate and as an act of resistance. Héloïse mirrors Eurydice in the film. As Marianne leaves the house, essentially leaving Héloïse to marry a man and preparing to never see her again, Héloïse calls to her from the stairs, asking her to look. Marianne turns, looking at Héloïse one last time and effectively losing her forever. She chooses the ‘poet’s choice’: instead of facing forwards and allowing her lover to accompany her safely into the world of the living, she chooses to keep the memory of Héloïse. The film ends a few years later, as Marianne sees Héloïse at a classical concert. Héloïse does not notice her. Marianne has once again resumed the role of Orpheus, but this time her gaze is not matched. The film ends as the myth does, with a gaze that is not returned, and a love that is no longer evenly matched - Marianne’s love still exists in the present, while Héloïse’s has been relegated to mere memory.
Black Orpheus (1959)
Black Orpheus is a film following a young man Orfeu, who falls in love with naïve Eurydice, who is running from a hitman dressed as death. The pair move through the streets of Rio, during the carnival, with Orfeu attempting to find and protect Eurydice from the man who she believes wants to kill her while also running from his angry fiancée Mira. The film is a chaotic, heady blend of bright colours, Brazilian bossa nova, dancing and joy. However, there is a darker undertone, as the looming figure of death (personified) weaves its way through the storyline. Black birds and dogs are present throughout the film, acting as ominous reminders of the death that is so essential to the tale. The film ends as tragically as the myth, with Orfeu being forced to carry Eurydice’s dead body up the mountain to the house where her sister lives. Her sister ends up pushing Orfeu off the mountain, with the dead Eurydice still in his arms. Thus the film mimics the ending of the myth, and Eurydice’s plummet back into the Underworld. The classic story of the myth is used to explore the culture of Brazil and the beauty of Carnival, as well as creating a clever and dreamy retelling.
Relevance of the Myth
So why is this myth still being adapted into films and woven into media throughout the years? The story is a classic tragedy; a love story with a beautiful devotion and a devastating ending. Originally, the myth could have been used as a way of demonstrating the power of the gods and the consequences of disobeying their word. However, it can also be interpreted as highlighting the power of love, or even the importance of art. Orpheus ventures further into the Underworld than many other Greek heroes do, implying that his lyre is a more powerful weapon than any sword, even allowing him to make a deal with a god. Not only does the myth have an interesting message and a moving storyline, there is also the debate on Orpheus’ final decision to turn around. This question is heavily argued. Some people believe that Orpheus thought Eurydice had stepped into the sunlight already when he looked back. Others believe he simply loved her too much, and his heart outweighed his head, causing him to turn instinctively. There is also the argument that Eurydice tripped and cried out, and Orpheus automatically turned around to check if she was alright. All in all, the story has remained so relevant today as it is as classic a romantic tragedy as Romeo and Juliet, while also having interesting talking points and a myriad of meanings.
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