Societal changes and the different concerns of several eras have influenced the portrayal of Eurydice. It can be stated that through time, increasing importance is given to her: the adaptations...Show moreSocietal changes and the different concerns of several eras have influenced the portrayal of Eurydice. It can be stated that through time, increasing importance is given to her: the adaptations become increasingly feminist to suit modern-day concerns with regard to the position of women in society. For the reason that scholarship has focused predominately on the portrayal of Orpheus, the present study will explore the shift in focus from Orpheus to Eurydice by discussing Eurydice’s portrayal in a selection of literary works that covers the Middle Ages and the twentieth century. Eurydice’s subordinate position in adaptations written during the Middle Ages will be explained on the basis of the anonymous Sir Orfeo in combination with the ninth century adaptation of the myth by King Alfred found in his Old English translation of Boethius’ The Consolation of Philosophy. Eurydice’s portrayal in the feminist twentieth century will be discussed using Margaret Atwood’s Orpheus(1) and the poem Eurydice by Carol Ann Duffy. The reason for the decision to discuss adaptations from the Middle Ages and the twentieth century lies in the fact that the adaptations produced during these two eras are almost polar opposites when it comes to the portrayal of Eurydice. As a result, the shift from Orpheus to Eurydice is most evident when comparing works from these two eras.Show less
