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Persepheus is the friendship between Persephone and Orpheus from the Hadestown fandom.
Canon[]
In the original myths, Orpheus had met Persephone when venturing to the Underworld to rescue his wife, who had died too soon on their wedding day. Persephone, moved by Orpheus serenading her and her husband with a song about how he lost his own wife, some versions have her beg Hades to let the girl go home with him. Regardless of what Persephone felt, Hades' conditions meant that Orpheus had to go home alone since he looked at his wife Eurydice shortly before reaching the exit, which is the one thing Hades told him not to do.
Hadestown[]
During the first act, as Orpheus proposed to Eurydice under promises that he'll be able to get them through this winter together by finishing his song, Hermes inspires him to write the song about Hades and Persephone. Orpheus recalls how Hermes told him the story so long ago, describing Persephone as one "beautiful lady", who had accepted to live with Hades in the Underworld as his wife. But as Hermes tells him to go on, Orpheus remembers that winter is a consequence of Persephone not being above ground, as a result they reached an agreement that Persephone shall return to Olympus every six months and then be collected by Hades after another six months. Almost on cue, Persephone returned and celebrations ensued among mortals, with Orpheus giving a toast to Persephone under Hermes' instructions. Though Persephone receives it well, Hades had come early to collect her again. Orpheus laments how that is not how it's supposed to be, with Eurydice telling him that only him finishing his song could fix it. Consumed by his urge to finish the song, the next verse has Orpheus sing about how Hades was driven mad with jealousy and took Persephone when she was just enjoying the sun again. But as a blizzard arrived, Orpheus was too wrapped up with Hades and Persephone being unable to hear his song that he didn't even notice Eurydice trying to reach out to him and running to Hades in the storm in desperation. Driven to fix his mistake as soon as Hermes tells him what happened, Orpheus ventures into the Underworld on foot.
When Orpheus reunites with Eurydice at the beginning of Act II, he captures the attention of Hades and Persephone. Hades is furious at some mortal boy wanting to shake the natural order, but Persephone tries to interrupt as she recognizes Orpheus. But just as Persephone tells Hades the boy's name, Hades reveals to Orpheus that Eurydice had signed her life away and won't be going home with him. As Orpheus expresses his disbelief, Persephone overhears his laments and sympathizes with him. She lectures Hades about being so cruel towards someone who had lost the one he loves, solely because his words inspire hope in the workers of Hadestown, causing Hades to fear that they won't respect him any longer. When Persephone tells him that Orpheus loves Eurydice in the same way as he used to love her, Hades brushes that off by saying Eurydice matters little to him, Persephone counters by saying that Eurydice is everything for Orpheus. When Hades remains stubborn, Persephone flat out tells him to let Eurydice go home with Orpheus. Persephone recounts how lovely Orpheus had sung for her, telling Hades that if only he had heard it, he'd feel the same pity. When Hades rejects the idea of allowing one exception, Persephone threatens that she'll stop loving him for good if he doesn't relent. Hades eventually gives in and tells Orpheus to play a song for them to prove his worth, solely because Persephone told him how good Orpheus is. As Orpheus sings a song about how Hades fell out of love with Persephone, Hades tries to interrupt but is stopped by Persephone gently telling him to let Orpheus finish the song. As Orpheus tells Hades through song that his greed made him forget the things that his love for Persephone brought out, Hades is so moved that he actually echoes Orpheus' singing, shortly followed by Persephone joining both in chorus. Hades, his love for Persephone reignited, begins to dance with her as Orpheus continues playing his lyre for them. As Hades reluctantly agrees to have Orpheus lead the way home for Eurydice without looking at her, Persephone asks him if they're going to make it. Hades genuinely doesn't know, but Persephone is inspired enough by the young lovers that she's willing to give her marriage with Hades another try. As Orpheus inevitably fails and Eurydice is damned to live in Hadestown forever, Persephone gives a toast in Orpheus' honor, calling him the flower that blooms in the dead of the winter.
Fanon[]
This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it.
Many believe that Persephone's campaigning for Orpheus is one of the most humanizing moments in the tale. Romantic shipping between them does happen sometimes, but people don't like the idea of breaking up two couples to make it possible.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Orpheus & Persephone tag on AO3
- Orpheus/Persephone tag on AO3
[]
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| Hadestown Ships • Hadestown Characters | |||
| SHIPS | het | Orphydice • Persades | |
| friend | Euryphone • Orphades • Persepheus | ||
| family | Orpheus & Hermes | ||
| CHARACTERS | male | Hades • Orpheus | |