Orfeo (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Angelo Ambrogini
- First Published: 1863
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Pastoral
- Time of Work: Remote antiquity
- Setting: Sicily
- Genres: Drama, Pastoral, Musical drama, Tragedy
- Subjects: Mythology or myths, Love or romance, Music or musicians, Death or dying, Gods or goddesses, Afterlife, Italy or Italians, Greek or Roman times, Underworld or Hades
- Locales: Sicily, Italy
Characters Discussed
Orpheus (OHR-fee-uhs), a young singer and poet who is in love with Eurydice. At the news of his sweetheart’s death, he fills the air with his lament and vows to go to the very gates of Tartarus and, with the beauty of his music, win back his love. There, his melodies so charm Pluto that the god grants him permission to lead Eurydice back to Earth on condition that he not look back along the way. Overcome by doubts, he does look back, only to see Eurydice drawn again among the shades. Heartbroken, he is determined never to seek love again. As punishment...
[The entire page is 509 words long]
