The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is one told many times in many different ways, and which I most recently experienced in the musical Hadestown. If you're not aware of the story then there are SPOILERS to come. There are different versions of the story but in almost all of them Orpheus is in love with Eurydice and loses her to death, Hades, or some other tragedy, and the loss is often tied to the chance for Orpheus to save her. In Hadestown, Orpheus has the chance to walk Eurydice out of hell if he can keep doubt away, and not look back to make sure she is following behind him. If he looks back, though, she must return to Hadestown. Logically this task seems easy. I couldn't help but think about it as a decision matrix: The Choice: Eurydice is Following (loves Orpheus) Eurydice is Not Following (it’s all a trick, she doesn’t love him enough to follow) Orpheus Looks Back (i.e. let’s Doubt win) Orpheus f
The personal thoughts of Justin Kelsey, a father, husband, friend, philosopher, and peacemaker living on the same planet as you, for now. This blog is inspired by many, and aspires to honor two sentiments of playwright Bertolt Brecht: recognition that these are all just "Words, on a planet that is no longer in the center..." and that "It takes courage to say that the good were defeated not because they were good, but because they were weak."