MYTHOLOGICAL GUIDE: Myth Vs. Mitchell

(Jesus Ursulo)

Orpheus

Gracie Domenghini portrayed Orpheus, the gifted son of the muse Calliope. Orpheus was said to have the most beautiful voice able to make nature dance. Hadestown’s Orpheus was a vulnerable dreamer, which contrasts to his original confidence and heroic attributes in mythology. While in the myth, Orpheus’ goal was to save Eurydice and is solely rooted from his love for her, in Hadestown he became focused on writing a song—a song which would bring back spring. Hadestown’s Orpheus served as a young and hopeless boy bent on finishing his song, while in the Greek myth Orpheus was a symbol of love and god-given artistic ability.
(Jade Wagner)

Eurydice

Eurydice, played by Divyana Emmons, lived a life of tragedy. Hadestown told the complicated love story of Eurydice and Orpheus as Orpheus continually persisted to ask Eurydice to be his wife. Though never actually married in Hadestown they were in the myth. This lack of marriage in Hadestown showed Orpheus' lack of commitment and emphasized the irony of their unhappy ending. In the myth after they were wed, Eurydice was tragically bitten by a snake and passed to the Underworld. However, Anais Mitchell’s portrayal in Hadestown follows Eurydice’s choice to go to Hadestown due to poverty and desperation. Orpheus, overcome by grief, attempted to rescue her, but was his trust and assurance in their love enough?
(Jade Wagner)

Hades

Hades, played by senior Maxwell Toohey-Bergvall, was the stern and unrelenting ruler of the Underworld, brother of Zeus, and the son of Cronus. Often depicted as being unmoved by prayers or sacrifices, Hades was seen as the face of death, feared by ancient Greeks that they avoided saying his name or involving him in art. In Hadestown, Hades was a sympathetic and complex antagonist who ran the Underworld more like a harsh factory compared to the ancient Greek views of the Underworld. Much like in Hadestown, the mythological Underworld was gloomy and barren. Unlike religious ideas of eternal rewards or punishments after death, the Underworld is different for each individual depending on their life choices.
(Jesus Ursulo)

Persephone

Persephone, played by Skylar Collins, is the daughter of goddess of agriculture, Demeter. Hades and Persephone’s tale began when beautiful Persephone, while picking flowers, was abducted by Hades, who dragged her down to the Underworld. However, in Hadestown, her journey to the underworld was a result of her marriage to Hades, forcing her to stay in the underworld for half a year. Persephone’s myth in Greek religion explained the seasons for the part of the year she spent with Hades—Demeter created winter, while when Persephone was on Earth, seasons like spring and summer were in full force. Contrary to the myth, Hadestown’s Persephone had to stay because of her marriage vows.
(Jade Wagner)

Hermes

The most commonly heard of deity in myths and epics, including Homer’s Odyssey, is Hermes. In Hadestown, Hermes, depicted by Tobi Rowins, served as an exuberant storyteller. Hermes was the personal messenger of Zeus and was known for his winged sandals and winged travelers hat. As the god of athletics, trade, thievery, herds, and messengers, Hermes led souls to the Underworld as the designated guide of the Dead. Hermes was well known for his fascination with mortals and playful antics, which was evident in Hadestown.
(Jade Wagner)

The Fates

The Moirai, also known as the Fates, were three goddesses who wove destiny in Greek mythology. In the Paso High production of Hadestown, Shane Mullinix, Alyssa Wesley, and Elijah Jordan brought a frightful and haunting take to the Fates. Hadestown’s Fates clung closely behind Eurydice on stage and bombarded her with spellbinding musical numbers which urged her to go to the Underworld. Despite Eurydice’s efforts to stay with Orpheus she had to give in as her destiny was woven. Moirai means ‘allotted portions,’ which correspond to the roles of the three Fates. The first fate, Clotho, spun the thread of life, then Lachesis, the second Fate, measured the string so Atropus, the third Fate, could mercifully cut it short. The Fates were independent compared to other gods and the destinies they spun couldn’t be changed, even by Zeus himself. In Hadestown, their roles were displayed through their instruments as they influenced the tone and melody of the story. The three Fates played the violin, accordion, and finger cymbal, which demonstrated their control over the fate of Orpheus and Eurydice.

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