Jenna Wynes- Hadestown: A Second Perspective

Last weekend, I went to New York City to see a Broadway performance of Hadestown! I went to my local high school theatre department with my mom and boyfriend. I was so privileged to have that opportunity and got to experience so many amazing things. My boyfriend recently auditioned to play Orpheus at a theatre in Richmond, so it was eye-opening to see the depth of the story. He often has different perspectives on society, which is equally frustrating and interesting to discuss. Before seeing Hadestown, by simply relying on the music recordings to interpret meaning, he believed that Eurydice was a greedy golddigger who was in it to flirt with Hades. Seeing her memory through that lens hurt because I wanted him to understand her the way I did, but it made it all the more rewarding to see him learn the truth behind her choices. 

From my exploratory essay on Hadestown, you’ll know that the first time the show made me feel angry with Orpheus for his faults. Walking outside the theatre, I said “He had ONE JOB!!” because I didn’t understand the deeper meaning behind his mistake. To get Eurydice back, the one rule is he had to walk out of the underworld without looking back. He loved her so much that he would never step foot outside the underworld without absolute confidence that his wife was with him. I now understand that the two are trapped in the loop of human fault of doubt and trust within love. Orpheus will always look back and never fully process the grief of losing Euridyce, because he is dedicated and believes their love will transcend mystical powers and humanity’s bounds. It took me 3 years to come to this conclusion and gain closure to the story.

This is reflected in the same way that my boyfriend viewed Eurydice. He heard the lyric “Hungry Girl” and saw her as self-interested from necessity. On the surface, she leaves to find food and firewood, is offered safety and health from Hades, and leaves Orpheus to live a ‘better life’ in the underworld. Originally, I didn’t understand this mindset at all. Given her history of being on the run, It seemed so simple (to me) to see that she had no other choice. He said afterward that seeing her realize the weight behind her decision and feel regret after Orpheus follows her to the underworld gave him clarity. Orpheus messed up, which led her to believe that he was just like every other man from before until they both realized their mistakes too late. He still thinks Eurydice was wrong for leaving, but understands how her instincts told her to run again after years of being alone. Her decision, while heartbreaking, reflects the survival instincts she had honed after years of hardship. This underscores how Hadestown doesn’t just tell a love story; it reveals the complexities of human experience, where survival, love, trust, and doubt all intertwine. Watching my boyfriend confront his initial judgments and come to a deeper understanding was very rewarding, mirroring my own journey with the story. This is a testament to how art can challenge perspectives, foster growth, and create shared meaning in relationships.

Additional thoughts: It is interesting to consider how as a woman, I am more likely to relate to female characters. I draw deeper meaning and connection to the stories of female experience and tend to look deeper into understanding them than I do male characters. My boyfriend has a different perspective and finds a closer relation to the stories of male figures and uses those assumptions to understand stories. It is hard to be initially accepting of our different ideals, but learning more about each other is so rewarding! Our relationship has grown due to our differing perspectives and I am so privileged to learn from him in this way.

 

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