Who Told Orpheus Not to Look Back? The Tragic Myth Explained

The Myth of Orpheus: A Brief Overview

Well, the story of Orpheus, it’s one of those myths that always grabs me. You know, the whole tale of love, loss, and regret. Orpheus, the gifted musician, falls in love with Eurydice, a beautiful nymph. When she dies from a snakebite, Orpheus is inconsolable. He goes to the Underworld, determined to bring her back to life with his music, which is so beautiful that it moves even the gods of the dead. So, who tells Orpheus not to look back, and why is that such a crucial part of the story?

Honestly, it’s a really emotional part of the myth, and it leaves you with a lot to think about—trust, faith, and the consequences of doubt. So, let’s dive into that key moment, and I’ll tell you why it hits so hard.

Who Was the One to Tell Orpheus Not to Look Back?

The God Who Gives the Warning: Hermes

Actually, the person who warns Orpheus not to look back isn’t just some random figure in the Underworld. It's Hermes, the messenger god, who leads Orpheus through the Underworld and provides him with the vital instruction not to turn his head. The rule is simple yet heartbreaking: he must trust that Eurydice is behind him, even though he can’t see her. If he looks back, she will be lost forever.

I remember discussing this myth with a friend last week. He was surprised by how heartbreaking the concept of trust is in this story. It's like, imagine walking through a dark tunnel, and someone says, "Just trust me, don't look behind you." It's almost impossible, right?

The Importance of the Warning

This is one of the most symbolic parts of the myth. Hermes knows that the temptation to look back, to make sure that everything is as it seems, is too powerful to resist. The warning is about faith and patience. The thing is, Hermes isn’t just saving Orpheus from a quick mistake; he’s teaching him something much deeper. You see, this is the point where Orpheus has to let go of his fears and trust the process.

Why Did Orpheus Look Back?

The Moment of Doubt

So, we all know what happens, right? Orpheus does look back, just as they are about to leave the Underworld, and Eurydice vanishes forever. But what drove him to do that? Was it impatience? Fear? Or maybe love?

Personally, I think it was a mixture of all three. I mean, Orpheus had already gone through so much to get to this point, and even though Hermes’ warning was clear, I believe Orpheus simply couldn’t help himself. Who wouldn’t look back when faced with the love of their life, lost forever? I’ve had those moments, too—when you feel like you just need reassurance, but you end up making things worse by doubting what you already know.

Honestly, I’ve been in situations where I’ve been told, "Trust me, it’ll be okay," but there’s always that voice inside saying, “What if this is a mistake?” And in those moments, I understand Orpheus more than I’d like to admit.

The Consequences of His Decision

The look back isn’t just about a physical action, it’s symbolic of how doubt can unravel the most solid promises. When Orpheus turns, Eurydice disappears, and that’s it. She’s lost to him forever. The result is tragic, and that’s why this myth sticks with so many people.

It’s like... one moment of doubt, one second of fear, and everything is gone. And it wasn’t just Orpheus who paid for that. The gods, the fates—everyone seems to be reminding us of this: that life isn’t about immediate certainty but about holding onto faith when you can’t see the outcome. It’s maddening, right?

The Deeper Meaning of the "Don’t Look Back" Lesson

The Theme of Faith and Trust

Okay, so, here’s the thing I think about most when it comes to the myth of Orpheus: trusting the journey. I know it sounds cheesy, but the whole idea of walking through the Underworld and not looking back is a metaphor for trusting what you can’t control. In life, we’re always tempted to second-guess things—whether it’s relationships, career moves, or personal decisions. Orpheus represents that part of us that can’t help but look back, always wondering if we made the right choice.

Do you ever feel like that? Like, you make a decision, and just as you’re moving forward, you think, “Did I do the right thing?” It’s this hesitation that leads to regret.

Why Orpheus' Tragic Fate Still Resonates

For me, the tragedy of Orpheus isn’t just that he lost Eurydice. It’s that his inability to trust completely—the one thing that would have saved him—was ultimately his downfall. We all have moments where trusting isn’t easy, and when we mess up, the consequences can feel just as irreversible as Orpheus’.

I’ve had this conversation with my friends a few times. Some believe that Orpheus’ story is a metaphor for love itself—always fragile, always testing us. But I think it’s about more than just love. It’s about how we deal with life’s uncertainties.

Conclusion: What Can We Learn From Orpheus?

Well, here’s the takeaway, at least for me. Orpheus teaches us that sometimes, trusting the process is the hardest thing to do. The myth isn’t just about looking back physically, but about resisting the urge to doubt what you’ve worked so hard to achieve. It’s a test of faith, patience, and belief in something greater than yourself.

Personally, I’ve learned to be a little more trusting of the journey, even when it feels uncertain. And sure, sometimes I mess up, but isn’t that what Orpheus’ story really shows us? That we all have to make peace with the consequences of our choices—and not look back.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.