After the discussion we had today in class, I definitely
think that viewing this story as kind of the Disney revamp version of Orpheus is
the way to go. Even though there is some scary stuff in there (like there is in
most Disney movies, let’s be real), the ending is a straight-up crazy happy
fairytale. It takes the original Orpheus story and tones down all the super
intense stuff, adds in a little heartache, but then comes at you with a
comically happy ending that feels just a little too happy.
I feel like the comparison of the underworld to the fairy
garden was really interesting, especially in what it can say about our own
ideas of goodness and evil. At first glance, it seems like going to the fairy
garden would obviously be the thing to do – I mean, even if there is some evil,
at least it isn’t an ugly underworld. But when you actually start to think
about it more, it’s easy to see that while the underworld is, well, the
underworld, the fairy garden clearly seems to have more evil in it, at least in
the way that it disguises itself as a paradise.
Reading this story, I was reminded of the early Disney
cartoon The Goddess of Spring, which came out in the 1930s and has vivid images
of a cheery garden, and then of course the underworld (and a pretty weird
version of the devil in my opinion). The more I think about it, the more it is
clear that that cartoon clearly has connections to this story. I haven’t
watched the short in a while, but I think watching it and comparing it to my
earlier comment about this whole story being like a Disney remake would be a
super cool thing to do.
Moral of the story is that the time has come for Disney to
make a new version of Sir Orfeo for this new generation. Or maybe they could
just do Orpheus, and we could all compare that movie to Sir Orfeo and see how
many similarities there are. I think viewing the two stories as essentially one
and the same is a super interesting way to look at it, especially when we see
what specific changes were made, and what ideas stayed the same. I’m not sure
which one I like more (I mean, I appreciate the tragedy of Orpheus… but also I
love me some happy endings), but I think looking at them next to one another
can be really interesting.
It's interesting that in Sir Orfeo there is a "paradise" that is really a hell. I agree that it bring forth our own ideas of hell in a sense and may give some unrealistic explanations to everyday occurrences.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the ending was sickly sweet and as much as a happy ending is satisfying, I couldn't help but what Orpheus to fail-probably because that tends to happen in real life more than pure loyalty and love. Funny how the issues in the story never really happen to be because of a person's character. We all bicker and have personality clashes, but it's mostly just selfish acts that change the tides in these tales.
I would also love to see the Disney short "Goddess of the Spring" for this story comparison...I have never heard of the story, but it would be very interesting to see it and make the comparisons while this story is fresh in my mind. Not surprisingly (greath minds think alike in all...), we seem to have the same emotions about the two endings. The tragic ending had it's pluses....but I just LOVE happy endings :) The comparisons between symbols, charactors, and plot devices between the two versions is definitely what creates the interest for me in reading this (and it's original) tale.
ReplyDeleteI don't have too much of an issue with there being a happy ending even if it isn't what we are used to. The more I think about it, he wandered for 10 years without his love. He didn't come across another maiden and make her his next wife and create another life without her. He really was lost without her which is incredibly sweet. I mean if your boyfriend or husband spent 10 years alone while you were in an underworld, you'd be goddamn grateful to still have that person by your side when you got out! I liked Orpheus in this tale, seems like a gentlemen to me.
ReplyDeleteAll is well that ends well. I do like a happy ending, who doesn't? This tale is romantic from beginning to end. The symbolism of the harp took me into the story from the start. To rhyme there I did not see, before I wrote about Orfeo's own purgatory. I'm not so sure about ten years there though! I admire Orfeo's resolve once he sees the ladies and understands that he needs to follow them. His mission turns out to be right and he wasn't just a crazy guy gone mad from living like a wild animal for so long. Laugh and the world laughs with you (or listens to your music), but cry and you cry alone. I agree with Devon in Orfeo' sweetness, but it very sad too--all those years alone without her!
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