What effect did Orpheus’ music have on people and gods? Cite two examples
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Orpheus’ music had a profound and enchanting effect on both people and gods. First, it could charm all living creatures and even inanimate objects; for example, wild animals would gather peacefully to listen to his songs, and trees and rocks would move to be closer to him. Second, his music was so powerful that it softened the hearts of the gods of the Underworld, Hades and Persephone, convincing them to allow his wife Eurydice to return to life.
Explanation:
Orpheus, a legendary figure in Greek mythology, was renowned for his extraordinary musical talent. As the son of the Muse Calliope and either the god Apollo or the Thracian king Oeagrus, Orpheus inherited divine musical gifts. His ability to play the lyre and sing with unmatched beauty gave his music a magical quality that deeply influenced both the natural world and divine beings.
One notable example of Orpheus’ musical power is his ability to charm all forms of life—and even the lifeless. Ancient stories describe how animals, trees, and even stones would move and gather around him, captivated by the sound of his lyre. His music could calm wild beasts, stop rivers from flowing, and make mountains shift. This illustrates the ancient Greek belief in the harmony of nature and the arts, and how music could connect and soothe the universe.
A second, more dramatic example is found in the myth of Eurydice. After his wife Eurydice died from a snake bite, Orpheus descended into the Underworld, determined to bring her back. There, he played his lyre and sang so beautifully that he moved the hearts of Hades and Persephone, the usually unyielding rulers of the dead. His music was the only thing that ever made them show mercy, and they agreed to release Eurydice—on the condition that Orpheus not look back at her until they reached the upper world.
These examples show that Orpheus’ music had divine power—it could alter the laws of nature and influence gods themselves. This reflects the deep cultural value placed on art and music in Greek mythology as forces of profound emotional and spiritual influence.
