Sir Orfeo combines Celtic folklore and mythology, elements of romance, and elements of Christian allegory. This combination makes a story that is familiar yet original, due to it’s well known classical origin with more popular themes of love, despair, loyalty, and bliss. After reading Sir Orfeo, I re-read Ovid’s Orpheus and Eurydice. The differences between the two texts highlight the major themes that were important to the contemporary medieval audience.
At the beginning of the poem Sir Orfeo is clearly described as an English king. In the classical version by Ovid, Orpheus is a “Thracian bard.” Sir Orfeo is a protagonist of significantly higher status. And the poet clarifies that Thrace was apparently the previous name of Winchester. This change serves to create a familiar setting for the medieval English audience. Interesting enough though, the author keeps the fact that Orfeo is…
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Secretly A Heroine 