Orpheus Speech to Hades

Watch the rest of the animation about Orpheus and Eurydice. Imagine how much Orpheus had to beg Hades to give him his wife back. What would he say? How would he convince Hades? Do gods even know how Orpheus is feeling - they are all immortal and do not experience death.

Write a speech from Orpheus to Hades, persuading him to return Eurydice to the Earth and back to her husband.

What are we aiming for in an expected piece of persuasive writing?

Have a look at this example...

“Hades, great god, I have journeyed many days, over land and sea, deeper and deeper into darkness to seek you here in your court. I am Orpheus. Now, a trembling, pale shadow of my former self, since my beloved wife was so cruelly snatched from my loving heart. My music has brought me over the hills to the Land of the Dead, enchanting the ferryman across the River of Forgetfulness and calming the ferocious growl of the monstrous Cerberus. Here I stand before you. Now is the time to listen. Now is the time to look through the eyes of us mere mortals. Now is the time to return my dear Eurydice.”

“We mortals are wretched things and the gods do not know our grief. Even the creatures in the meadows, the birds in the trees and the insects underfoot know more about sorrow than the thunderous gods, who have never experienced the pain and torment that can be woven into the pattern of our lives. You mighty gods have never known death. When the heaviest of winters settle on our lands or the most challenging rains flood our homes, you don’t know our pain and suffering. If our farmers agonise through the worst harvests, having to watch their children starve and their hopes dwindle, the gods still sit at heavenly feasts.”

“I cannot begin to explain the depth of my sadness and loss without Eurydice by my side. I bow before you, King and Queen, Hades and Persephone, to beg the return of my wife: she means more than anything to me and without her I don't know if I can go on. She was too young, too innocent and too naive to be taken so soon. Surely, one thing you gods do know is love – the sweet pain of love. The piercing shafts from Aphrodite’s shining bow? Imagine the long months you spend alone, when your queen returns to the bright world above. Imagine that feeling lasting for eternity. That is how it is for us mortals Great Hades. Give me back my Eurydice. I beg you, give her back to me.”