The Endless Moment: Sociology of Orpheus Myth

The myth of Orpheus, so fascinating and evocative, has had countless interpretations over time, thanks to its high metaphorical level, knowing different declinations. In this contribution, through a sociological perspective, combining suggestions of a poetic, literary and psychoanalytic nature, I would like to propose an original reading of the Orphic myth.

In general, thinking about the dimension of the myth means understanding what has been transfigured in it: because the mythical tale is the transposition of a complex question on the imaginary level. In the perspective taken here, the myth can be considered as the most sublime result of the infinite dialogue between the need to give meaning to the events of the world and of life and the desire to cross the limits of both; between the need to define the contours of one’s identity and the desire to be other than oneself; between the need for order and the temptation of disorder. Providing interpretations of the world that can be declined in every direction, since in myth explanations of reality, hermeneutic and meaning trajectories are intertwined.

With its narrative charge and its imaginative power, the myth expresses a desire present in the entire community, it is the expression of profound instances that cross the cognitive habitat of a community, intercepting collective dilemmas, fantastic delusions, atavistic needs, unspeakable dreams and fears.

So, specifically, what does the myth of Orpheus tell us? Is it a metaphor for what? What is its sociological meaning? Moving between the “poetic” dimension typical of mythical narration and scientific research, this contribution tries to identify, among the many possible ones, a path of analysis, identifying a possible link between the Orphic tale and the process of mourning, of which it seems to be the most complete metaphor.