"Orpheus and Eurydice"
Author: unknown
Nationality: Greek
Genre: myth
Major Characters
1) Orpheus: prince of Thrace, played the lyre, wrote poetry, loved Eurydice, risked life for her
2) Eurydice: wife of Orpheus, a dryad, chased by Aristaeus, bit & killed by snake, doomed to Hades
3) Aristaeus: hunter god, chased Eurydice, arrogant, bully
Literary Terms
Setting: Kingdom of Thrace, Underworld
Themes: a)part of love is being willing to make sacrifices
b)love can cause pain & sorrow
Villain: Aristaeus is because he's a bully, is arrogant, and chases a helpless woman
foreshadowing: a) when Eurydice is napping and the viper appears, it is a bad omen
b)when Persephone warns Orpheus not to look back, we know he probably will
Internal Conflict: Orpheus must decide if he will risk going to Hades to rescue Eurydice