Orpheus

Orpheus (Orphée)

    Author: Jean Cocteau

    First Performance: 1926, Paris

    Published: 1927

    First English Translation: 1933

    Genre: Drama in 13 scenes; French prose

    Setting: A room in Thrace, and heaven, mythical past

    Cast: 6m, 2f, 1 horse

Eurydice is jealous of Orpheus' affection for his horse, which dictates poetry to Orpheus by tapping its hoof. Orpheus is submitting the latest poem to Thrace's annual poetry contest. Arguing over his neglect of Eurydice, Orpheus smashes a mirror. The glazier Heurtebise comes to fix it, and gives Eurydice poison to rid her of the horse. By mistake, Eurydice poisons herself, and Death, a beautiful young woman, comes to take her through the mirror to the underworld. Orpheus is distraught, but Heurtebise helps him through the mirror. Orpheus is allowed to...

[The entire page is 380 words long]

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