Dramatic Monologue - Orpheus and Eurydice.

You must not turn around. You must not look back. I know that I must not disobey this simple request. Yet, I cannot stop my mind from running untamed. I now listen closely for Eurydice's footfall behind me, but her shade makes no sound. Could I have been tricked by Hades and his cold Queen Persephone? Did Eurydice fall behind? Questions of mistrust and other morbid thoughts seem to close in on my brain. I desperately yearn to see her with all of my essence. Yet, the words of Hades seem to echo. You must not turn around. You must not look back.

As I struggle to make it toward the light, I cannot help but reflect. How did I reach this point? For many years, I lived my life simply and carelessly. I was considered the most superior musician that ever lived. One strum of my lyre, one note sung, and beasts would crawl to me, rocks would move to be closer, and trees would leave their places to be near me. Life always had treated me fairly. I had never felt the cold harsh reality of life in the form of physical or emotional affliction.

My life, however, changed forever when I met Eurydice. We shared a love that was perfect and everlasting. Nevertheless, it seems that for me love and adoration have always arrived much like a fleeting wind. No sooner had a gained such a great love then I had lost it. Death coveted and encompassed my dear Eurydice.

After my loss, I was inconsolable. Undoubtedly, my grief was bitter, but I did not let it lull me into a stupor. I decided to take action. Armed with nothing more than my lyre, I descended into the Underworld. My lyre and my voice charmed Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guarded the Underworld, and he allowed me to pass.

I then faced Hades and his cold Queen Persephone. I played for my sorrow at the loss of my love. The heart that was frozen by Hades' abduction melted in Persephone's breast and a tear rolled down her cheek. Even Hades could not help weeping. They let me through to Eurydice, but warned me very carefully: Eurydice would follow me into the light of the world and once she entered the sunlight, she would be changed back to a woman. However, if I doubted, if I looked back to see her, she would be lost to me forever. I can still remember the words of Hades, "You must not turn around. You must not look back."

Now here I am. I have left the dark hall of Hades and have begun my ascent back to life. I rejoice to think that my wife will soon be with me again. Once again, I listen closely for her footfall behind me, but her shade makes no noise. You must not turn around. You must not look back. I hold the words of Hades very close to my heart.

We are almost to the light now and yet I still do not hear my dear Eurydice. Why do I not hear her precious footsteps? Why cannot I not feel her presence? It seems now that the closer to the light I become, the more I begin to doubt Hades. I feel ashamed of my uncertainty. If only I could just glance at Eurydice. If only for a moment... However, I cannot. I must not turn around. I must not look back.

I ascend closer and closer to the light. And as I ascend, my fears grow uncontrollable, like a dreadful untamed beast. Even now, there are no footsteps to be heard behind me and I do not feel my precious Eurydice's presence. I must turn around now. I am prepared to run back into the underworld to rant to Hades for betraying me. Now I see a silent figure close behind me. She is a beautiful shade. As quickly, as Eurydice had been originally taken from me, she now descends back to the Underworld. "Immortal Gods! Hear my cry!" Emotions of disbelief and discontent now permeate and invade my soul. How could I be so weak as to lose my faith? Now once again death has coveted and encompassed Eurydice. The words of Hades now seem to mock me. I fear that they will never leave my mind: You must not turn around. You must not look back.