The power of the music

       Below is the image of Sir Orfeo, surrounded by the animals who are captivated by the sound of his harp

     let us listen the harp below and see if it is really powerful as described in the text. When the day is bright and clear Orfeo plays for pleasure " Then all the beasts that hear that high sweet melody come drawing nigh, and all the birds that hear him play come down to perch upon a spray of leaves to listen till it's done." then they leave when he is done singing. (page 69, lines 272 to 280) 

Forever faithfully hers....

Finding real undying love is not something found everyday...

When a man finds his one true love, he will follow her into the gates of hell and to the highest heavens.

In the Tale of "Sir Orfeo" by  Geoffrey Chaucer. The King Sir Orfeo has an undying love for his wife, his Queen, Herodis. He would travel to the darkest pits of hell to hold her and be with her. The King spends ten years searching for her. Without her at his side he feels incomplete. "And then such crying, tears and woe! Back in his chamber, Orfeo Fainted upon the floor of stone, then woke and let out such a moan, He nearly killed himself with grief! No one could offer him relief." (ll 195-200) 

I feel that this kind of love is rare, and not seen very often in modern society. In our society, I do not know anyone who would search for ten years and not give up hope for their one true love. I think that most couples in modern age would give up after the first year or two.  The level of commitment and unconditional love holds different meaning today than it did in the middle ages. I feel a lesson is displayed this tale that true pure love never dies and that even when there is no hope, to not give up.

                                      




"Sir Orfeo" By the Author Geoffrey Chaucer. Nine Medieval Romances of Magic pages 49-79

Why her?

When Herodis was laying under the tree, the king and his soldiers came up to her and took her by force to see the king's castles, then told her that she was to join them or be torn apart. (pg. 65-67)

My question is why her? Why did he choose Herodis? Did he see her under the tree randomly and decided to take her for his Queen or was he watching her? What made her so special that he had to have her specifically?

So, So Many Questions.

When Sir Orfeo went into the court or Paradise there were so many people that were half dead. He went to get his wife back and all he did was play music for the king who said he could have anything he wanted. Sir Orfeo was roaming around the forest for ten years looking for his wife. He comes back to the kingdom and tests the Steward.

What I want to know is, why was everyone in Paradise on the verge of death? Why was it so easy for Sir Orfeo to get his wife back? And what was with that prank on the Steward?

Across mountains and valleys.

https://youtu.be/ABfQuZqq8wg

Sir Orfeo risked everything to chase after his stolen wife, his life, his kingdom, his time and his sanity because Herodis was worth it.

"Where will you go? Who will you see? Wherever you go, ill come with you, and where I go, you shall come too." (lines 127-130, Sir Orfeo)

I will follow you, wherever you go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAP9AF6DCu4


"Alas, I am forlorn!" he said. "Where will you go? Who will you see? Wherever you go, I'll come with you, And where I go, you shall go too." (lines 127-130)

"Wherever those ladies choose to ride, I myself go riding there. For life or death I do not care!" (lines 340-342)

Sir Orfeo exclaims in the beginning that he wants to follow his love wherever she goes because he doesn't want to lose her. Towards the end after he had lost her, he realizes this time will be different and Orfeo will do anything he can to go wherever she will go.

SUPERFLY NICHOLAS

Y'all, this is why reading stuff in translation is ... not always a good thing.