Power Of Love In Greek Mythology

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If there's any concept that is universal across almost every human culture, its the power of love. Love is a very power force, but some can say it is too powerful. In Edith Hamilton's book, Mythology, the author writes about the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as well as Daphne. The power of love brought Orpheus to do all he could to help his lover, Eurydice, but it had ended up as a miserable failure. In addition, the wishes of Daphne to remain free have also been destroyed by the power of love. It can be said that the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as well as Daphne support the Greek theme of love being an overbearing and destructive force. Orpheus's love for Eurydice has ultimately become his downfall. Twice he has to endure a great amount of …show more content…
overwhelming. He could not endure it. He determined to go down to the world of death and try to bring Eurydice back," (108). For such a brief period of relationship to illicit such a strong response is worthy of compliment, but also shows how overbearing love can be. There are many risks associated with going to the underworld. There is the guard dog, Cereberus, the dread goddesses, the Furies, as well as Hades. All three of which have a reputation for killing or being generally cruel. To take such a large risk after a brief period of love is worthy of honor, but also shows the dangerous overbearing power of love. Orpheus neutralizes these threats due to his talent with the lyre. He managed to strike a deal with Hades where Orpheus was allowed to bring Eurydice up the stairs of the underworld to the regular world provided that during the journey, he never looks back at Eurydice. Things do not go as well when Orpheus and Eurydice are near the entrance to the regular world. Hamilton writes "But now they were almost there...they had stepped out joyfully into the daylight. Then he turned to her. It was too soon; she was still in the cavern. He saw her on the instant she was gone...He was forced to return to the earth
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