Orpheus in the Middle Ages (Medieval Studies) [Paperback]

John Block Friedman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr (Sd); 2nd edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815628250
• ISBN-13: 978-0815628255
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,623,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Evolvement of The Orphic Myth, August 22, 2010

By 

naamah "opera maven" (maine) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Orpheus in the Middle Ages (Medieval Studies) (Paperback)

If you would like to understand the myth of Orpheus, this book will be of help. No one knows for certain, when or if Orpheus lived. The figure of the poet-musician who is able to tame the wildness in man, beast and nature appears in many cultures.
What made Orpheus survive through antiquity to this very day, is his universality. The myth deals with love and death, and our inquisitive search of the underworld, and life after death.Can we defeat death? Orpheus and Orphism,offered some hope through resurrection of the soul. Orpheus also introduced to Hellenism the idea of monotheism. All this appealed to theologists, philosophers, poets, musicians, artists, and everyman.
Professor Friedman takes us in a very readable style, through Orpheus journey from antiquity, to the 15Th century.
You will follow Orpheus, the myth and the man,sometimes with his wife, sometimes just with his lyre. At times he will be successful in saving her and at other times not. You will get an idea of who is Orpheus. He is not tangible, he is an idea of quest,hope,love, death and life's journey.
This book might intrigue you to look more at other aspect of this Orphic enigma, and it will open for you new horizons of knowledge and understanding of this wonderful myth.