Orpheus Facts & Worksheets

Orpheus is a Greek and Roman mythological hero most known for his virtuoso ability to play the lyre or kithara. His song could enchant the forest’s wild animals, and even streams and trees would pause and bend closer to hear his magnificent singing.

See the fact file below for more information about Orpheus, or you can download our 25-page Orpheus worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

THE MUSIC VIRTUOSO

• Orpheus, the most talented musician of ancient times, was believed to be the son of the King Oeagrus of Thrace (other versions say god Apollo) and the Muse Calliope.
• He lived in Thrace, located in the northeastern part of Greece.
• Orpheus possessed a divine voice and exceptional skill in playing the lyre, which could charm gods and mortals. Even natural elements like rocks and trees were said to be moved by his music.
• He was credited with teaching various disciplines to humanity, including agriculture, writing, medicine, and astrology. He was also associated with the founding of mystical rites.
• Orpheus took part in the Argonautic expedition led by Jason and the Argonauts, where his music played a crucial role. He used his music to lull the “sleepless dragon” guarding the Golden Fleece to sleep, enabling Jason to obtain it.
• Additionally, Orpheus’s music saved the Argonauts from the deadly allure of the Sirens, who enticed men with their enchanting voices before killing them.

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE

• Orpheus spent much of his childhood engrossed in the dreamy pursuits of music and poetry. His talent greatly outweighed his fame and admiration for his songs. 
• It would enchant both humans and beasts, and even the most inanimate objects would long to be near him. 
• He had mastered the lyre well into his teens, and his lovely voice drew crowds from near and far. 
• His gaze was drawn to a wood nymph at one of these gatherings of humans and monsters. 
• The girl’s name was Eurydice, and she was both gorgeous and bashful. 
• She was pulled to Orpheus by his voice, and the enchantment of beauty in song and appearance was so strong that neither could take their gaze away from the other. 
• Something unexplainable tugged at the two young people’s emotions, and they quickly found themselves deeply in love, unable to spend a moment apart. After some time, they decided to marry.
• The day of their wedding dawned bright and clear. Hymenaios, the deity of marriage, sanctified their union, and a grand feast ensued. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy. 

MYTH OF ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE

• However, things would soon change, and despair would follow happiness. One man despised Orpheus and wished to have Eurydice for himself. 
• Aristaeus, a shepherd, devised a strategy to capture the lovely nymph. And there he was, in the bushes, waiting for the young couple to pass by. 
• When he saw the lovers approaching, he planned to jump on them and kill Orpheus. As the shepherd moved, Orpheus seized Eurydice’s hand and began sprinting through the woodland.
• The hunt was protracted, and Aristaeus showed no indications of slowing down or giving up. 
• They rushed until Orpheus observed Eurydice stumbling and falling, her hand slipping from his hold. 
• He ran to her side, unable to fathom what had just happened, but halted in dismay when his eyes detected the deathly pallor that flooded her face. 
• He looked around and saw no sign of the shepherd, as Aristaeus had observed the event and had fled. 
• Eurydice had stumbled on a snake nest and been bitten by a deadly viper a few steps away. 
• Aristaeus had abandoned his attempt, knowing he had no hope of life, cursing his luck and Orpheus.
• Orpheus was no longer the carefree man he had been before the death of his loving wife. His existence without Eurydice seemed forever; all he could do was cry for her. 
• This was when he got a brilliant but ridiculous idea: he decided to go to the underworld and try to reclaim his wife. 
• His father, Apollo, would petition Hades, the underworld god, to accept him and hear his appeal.
• Orpheus approached Hades with his weapons, the lyre, and voice and requested admittance into the underworld. 
• Nobody dared to challenge him. Standing before the rulers of the dead, Orpheus explained why he was there in a lyrical and unsettling voice. 
• He sang to King Hades and Queen Persephone, playing his lyre, that Eurydice had been returned to him. Even the most heartless of people or Gods could not have ignored the pain in his voice.
• Cerberus, the massive three-headed hound guarding the underworld’s entrance, covered his many ears with his paws and howled in agony as Hades cried aloud. 
• Orpheus’ voice was so powerful that Hades assured this desperate man that Eurydice would accompany him to the Upper World, the world of the living. 
• However, he advised Orpheus not to glance back while his wife was still in the dark, as doing so would erase everything he had hoped for. He should have waited for Eurydice to come into the light before looking at her.
• Orpheus began his voyage out of the underworld with tremendous faith in his heart and joy in his song, glad to be reunited with his love. 
• Orpheus could hear his wife’s footsteps approaching him as he approached the underworld’s exit. He wanted to whirl around and hug her immediately, but he managed to restrain himself. 
• His heart was racing faster and faster as he approached the exit. He turned to hug his wife when he walked onto the living world. Unfortunately, he barely caught a glimpse of Eurydice as she was dragged back into the underworld.
• Eurydice was still in the dark when Orpheus turned his head; she hadn’t seen the sun, and his beloved wife had been drowned back to the gloomy world of the dead, exactly as Hades had warned Orpheus. 
• Waves of pain and despair washed over him, and shaking with sadness, he approached the underworld again, but this time he was denied access. The gates were closed. 
• Zeus’s messenger, god Hermes, refused to let him in.
• From then on, the bereaved musician wandered, day after day, night after night, in complete anguish. 
• He couldn’t find solace in anything. His misfortune haunted him, driving him to avoid interaction with any other lady, and he gradually found himself shunning their company entirely. 
• His tunes were no longer upbeat but rather depressing. His only solace was lying on a gigantic boulder and feeling the breeze caress him; his only view was the limitless sky.
• As a result, a swarm of enraged women came across him, enraged by his contempt for them. 
• Orpheus was in such a state of desperation that he did not even attempt to repel their advances. 
• The women murdered him, dismembered him, and tossed his body and lyre into a river. His head and lyre are reported to have floated downriver to the island of Lesvos. 
• The Muses discovered them and gave Orpheus a suitable burial. People said that his grave emitted sad yet beautiful music. His soul descended to Hades, where he was ultimately reunited with Eurydice.

MYTH COMPARISON TO THE BIBLE

• If you look attentively at the above myth, you will notice a parallel between it and a scene from the Bible. 
• Lot’s story is akin to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The analogy of “not looking back” is crucial to both stories.
• When God planned to demolish Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities steeped in immorality, he told a good man, Lot, to take his family and flee the area. God instructed them to run to the mountains without returning to see the destroyed city. 
• Lot’s wife couldn’t help herself and turned around as they left the city to view the burning cities. She was instantly converted into a salt pillar. This might be interpreted as a direct and dreadful result of disobedience to God.

Orpheus Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Orpheus across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Orpheus. Orpheus is a Greek and Roman mythological hero most known for his virtuoso ability to play the lyre or kithara.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Orpheus Facts
2. Myth or Reality?
3. The Argonaut Expedition
4. Orpheus’ Playlist
5. Symbol Clues
6. The Virtuoso
7. In a Parallel Event
8. The Enchanted Lyre
9. Melodies of Myth
10. Echoes of Love and Loss
11. Musical Puppet Show

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Orpheus in Greek mythology?

Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in Greek mythology. He is known for his extraordinary musical talent and his tragic love story with Eurydice.

What was Orpheus’ most famous myth or story?

Orpheus’ most famous myth is the one where he descends into the Underworld to rescue his beloved wife, Eurydice. He charmed Hades, the god of the Underworld, with his music and was granted permission to bring Eurydice back to the world of the living. However, there was a condition that he couldn’t look back at her until they reached the surface, which he ultimately failed, leading to Eurydice’s return to the Underworld.

How did Orpheus die in Greek mythology?

Orpheus met a tragic end when he was torn apart by a group of frenzied Maenads, female followers of the god Dionysus. They were angered by his refusal to worship Dionysus and his mourning for Eurydice. They dismembered him and threw his head and lyre into the river, where they continued to produce enchanting music.

What was Orpheus’ musical instrument, and how did it feature in his stories?

Orpheus played the lyre, a stringed musical instrument similar to a small harp. His music was so beautiful and moving that it had the power to charm both gods and mortals. In his quest to rescue Eurydice, he used his lyre to persuade Hades and Persephone to allow her return to the world above.

How did Orpheus influence later art and literature?

Orpheus became a symbol of the power of music and the enduring theme of tragic love. His story has been a source of inspiration for countless artists, writers, and musicians throughout history. It has been the subject of numerous poems, operas, paintings, and other works of art, and his character continues to captivate and influence creative minds to this day.

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