Many people claim to have no desire to look back if they were in the musician's shoes as Hermes recounts the fate of Orpheus and Eurydice. But to love is to look back. It's too long for the one who makes your heart sing, to search for them, even in the deepest and darkest depths of the Underworld.
The fact that Orpheus loves Eurydice is a testament to that. He cannot resist the urge to glance over his shoulder to make sure she's still with him. He braved the treacherous realm of the dead for her, and she longs to reassure him - to whisper in his ear that she's right there, and he aches to see her again - to kiss, hold and to love her forever.
The storytellers may try to revise their tale, but fate has sealed their ending as two lovers, bound by an unbreakable thread of devotion, cannot help but look back at each other. They dare not turn away, for their love burns too brightly, too fiercely.
As Orpheus gazes back, his heart pounds with anticipation, knowing he cannot bear to walk alone without the reassurance of her safety, or if she's walking beside him whereas Eurydice, with a serene and calm face, smiles softly with a feeling of love. She comprehends that if she were in his place, she too would look back and search for him without fail, even in the dark.
Their story becomes a beautiful tragedy, a proof of the all-consuming power of love.
For in the end, they died knowing they were loved, and if given the chance to change their fate, they would do it all over again, for the brief, shining moment of love they shared was worth the eternal cost of their hearts.
Written by Ashlee Marquez, Insight PH
Ashlee Marquez, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
