eurydice
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A figure in Greek mythology: Eurydice is the wife of the legendary musician and poet Orpheus. Her story is central to the myth of Orpheus's descent into the Underworld.
Usage
- The name "Eurydice" is used specifically to refer to this mythological character. It is always capitalized.
- It is used in contexts discussing classical mythology, literature, art, and music that reference the Orpheus myth.
Examples
- Proper noun:
- Orpheus famously journeyed to the Underworld to retrieve his beloved wife, Eurydice.
- The tragic tale of Orpheus and Eurydice has been retold in countless operas and poems.
Advanced Usage
- As a symbol: In literary and artistic contexts, "Eurydice" often symbolizes lost love, the ideal beloved, or the unattainable.
- For the poet, she was his Eurydice, a love forever just out of reach.
Variants and Related Words
- Orpheus (proper noun): The husband of Eurydice in Greek mythology.
- Underworld (noun): The realm of the dead in Greek mythology, where Orpheus sought Eurydice.
Synonyms
- There are no direct synonyms for this unique proper noun. In general descriptions, one might use phrases like "Orpheus's wife" or "the mythological nymph."
Related Phrases
- "The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice": The standard phrase referring to the complete story.
- We studied the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in our classics course.
Related Idioms
- While not an idiom itself, the story gives rise to allusions. For example, a doomed attempt to recover something lost might be described as "an Orphean quest" or a situation with a fatal condition might be compared to "the look back at Eurydice."
Noun
-
(Greek mythology) the wife of Orpheus
