I often ask myself — “Does such a thing as ‘soulmates’ exist?”. The concept of soulmates seems to have begun a very long time ago. However, I was enlightened about the origin of soulmates by an Instagram reel only a few days ago that quoted, “According to Greek mythology, humans were created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate parts, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other halves”
Greek myths are a key contributor to how humans perceive love today. They portray love as boundless and unconditional, yet capable of hurt and destruction. Some passionate love tales of Greek mythology are those of Orpheus and Eurydice, Pygmalion and Galatea, and, of course, Helen and Paris.
The tale of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of tragedy, like many Greek myths. Orpheus was a gifted musician who fell deeply in love with Eurydice. However, Eurydice died from a snake bite days after their wedding. Heartbroken and determined to get her back, Orpheus ventured to the Underworld. Orpheus played his lyre to Hades and Persephone, charming them to agree to return Eurydice—on the condition that he not look back at her until they reached the surface. However, upon nearing the exit, gripped by fear and doubt, he took a glance back, only to see Eurydice following him. Alas, he had broken the one condition Hades had laid, ultimately condemning his wife back to death.
In modern love, Orpheus and Eurydice’s story mirrors the deep longing and sacrifices people make for their happy ending. Many say that love itself was Orpheus’s downfall. If only he hadn’t been so besotted by his love for her, if only he had waited to take a glance at his wife, Eurydice could have lived. Orpheus’s major mistake was his doubt—his emotional turmoil causing the second death of his wife. Insecurities are seen in many modern relationships, too and perhaps, that is a significant obstacle towards a happy ending.
An interesting tale I discovered was of Pygmalion, a sculptor who grew disillusioned with the flaws he saw in real women (it is quite an offending opinion). To feed his desires, he created a statue of his ideal woman, Galatea. His creation was so beautiful that he fell intensely in love with it. Moved by his devotion, the goddess Aphrodite brought the statue to life. Pygmalion and Galatea married and lived happily ever after.
Finally, a Greek story with a not-so-tragic ending, you’d think. However, the core theme of the story itself is rather tragic. In today’s world, idealization and unrealistic expectations in relationships are not uncommon. Modern love often grapples with the influence of media, where people are drawn to perfected versions of partners, causing them to sometimes neglect reality. Unlike the myth, modern relationships require acceptance of imperfections and mutual growth rather than seeking unattainable ideals.
The Trojan War is one spoken about for thousands of years—it was that influential. It began when Paris, prince of Troy, chose Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess, for which she promised him the world’s most beautiful woman, Helen of Sparta. Helen, already married to King Menelaus, fled with Paris, sparking a decade-long war. While their love was passionate, it caused immense suffering and destruction, making us question whether love can justify its consequences.
In contemporary times, the story of Helen and Paris corresponds to the struggles of forbidden love or relationships that come with heavy societal costs. Cultural divides and familial antagonism continue to be hindrances to modern love.
These myths reveal that love, whether divine or human, is a force of transformation, capable of creating beauty or chaos. Despite the differences between how Greek gods loved and how we do now, there are striking similarities that we can’t ignore. The tragic nature of love can often be seen in modern life too (albeit in a whole less histrionic way) , making me ponder the complexity of Love and question whether a truly happy ending is ever possible.
