The Collected Poems of H.D. Lesson Plan

What is the story of Eurydice? What is notable about H.D.'s telling of it?

Eurydice is the wife of Orpheus, who is a famous and talented musician in Greece. When she dies suddenly, he is heartbroken, and journeys to the underworld to try to get her back. Orpheus's music can charm almost anything, and he tries to use it to convince Hades to let Eurydice return. It works--as long as Orpheus promises not to look back towards the underworld as the two leave. He ends up looking back, and Eurydice must stay there forever. Generally, this is presented as a tragic tale, with both of the characters as victims to be pitied. In H.D.'s version, though, Eurydice is mad and empowered--she...