Hadestown is a Broadway musical based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The musical is telling the story through song. But how accurate is it in reference to the original myth?

Orpheus and Eurydice

While Hadestown retains the majority of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, there are a few key differences that affect the story line. The main discretion is that in the original myth, Eurydice is bitten by a snake and does not choose to go to the underworld. In Hadestown, Eurydice is tempted by Hades personally to go to the underworld to work and she will get food, as she is starving and Orpheus is too consumed with songwriting to provide for her.

Orpheus’s character is portrayed as an idealistic, struggling artist whose music holds the power to change the world. This modernized version of Orpheus emphasizes themes of hope, poverty, and resilience in the face of societal challenges. The musical version of Orpheus relates more to modern day challenges so the audience can relate to it.

Hades and Persephone

The musical takes considerable liberties with the relationship between Hades and Persephone. Rather than focusing solely on Persephone’s abduction, Hadestown presents them as a married couple experiencing a strained relationship. Their dynamic reflects themes of power imbalance and compromise, with Persephone longing for freedom and Hades clinging to control. This interpretation humanizes both characters and provides a more complex exploration of their emotions and motivations.

Additionally, the cyclical nature of their relationship ties directly into the show’s seasonal themes. Persephone’s return to the Underworld signifies the onset of winter, while her time on the surface brings spring’s renewal, which ties to the original mythological explanation for the changing seasons.

Hermes

The musical also introduces the character of Hermes as the narrator, a choice that adds a layer of storytelling cohesion. Hermes’ role as a guide between the worlds of the living and the dead aligns with his mythological function, but his personal connection to Orpheus and Eurydice deepens the narrative’s emotional impact.

The Set

In the musical, the underworld is portrayed as very mechanical and dystopian while the original myths depict the underworld as dark and ethereal. This choice emphasizes the changing of the world into the mechanical era, while accenting the themes of capitalism, environmental decay, and labor exploitation.

Why does it matter?

While Hadestown takes liberties with the myths, these changes serve a greater purpose. The musical uses ancient stories to explore contemporary issues such as economic inequality, climate change, and the power of hope in dark times. By blending mythology with modern storytelling, Hadestown remains accessible and relatable for today’s audiences.