Orpheus (Persona)

**Orpheus** is a **Persona** in the **Persona Record Series**, it is the Main Persona of **Minato Arisato**, the Persona can also transform into **Thanatos**.

## History

In Greek mythology, Orpheus was the son of Thracian king Oeagrus and the muse Calliope (some versions have Orpheus' father as the god Apollo). Apollo, fond of Orpheus, gave him a small golden lyre, which he quickly mastered. Taught to sing verses by his mother, Orpheus was so skilled at making music that he was called "Master of Strings" and "Father of Songs," capable of such music that even rocks and animals would be compelled to dance.

Upon the death of his wife Eurydice, Orpheus was so distraught that his mournful singing brought nymphs and gods to tears. Traveling to the underworld, he used his music to soften the hearts of Hades and Persephone, who allowed him to bring his wife back to the upper world on the condition that he walk in front and not look back until they had both arrived on the surface. In his anxiety, Orpheus forgot his warning and looked back when he alone had reached the surface, and saw his wife vanish, this time forever.

At the time of his death, Orpheus had become an apostate, spurning all gods save for Apollo, who he thanked for his golden lyre. For this he was ripped apart by Dionysian Maenads (although according to other versions, he is ripped apart for refusing to participate in their drunken (and often cannibalistic) orgies, on account of remaining committed to his lost lover), only his head and lyre remaining. His head floated down the Hebrus, continuing to sing sad songs until it was buried on the island of Lesbos, while his lyre was carried to the sky by the muses and placed among the stars.

True to his legend, Orpheus is the archetypal musician in literacy and lore, and he stands for foolish human folly (for turning back out of doubt) as well as sacrifice (for dying for Eurydice). The Greek word ὄρφνη orphne, means "darkness," and Greek ὀρφανός orphanos, "fatherless, orphan," from which comes English "orphan" by way of Latin.

## Background

Orpheus is a Fool **Persona**, and is the initial Persona of the **Minato Arisato**. He makes his first appearance during the Minato's attempt at summoning a Persona via the **Evoker** to fend off the looming **Shadows**. During Orpheus' initial summoning, **Thanatos** bursts forth from Orpheus' head, ripping him apart in the process. Thanatos violently destroys the Arcana Magician before reverting to Orpheus, who then becomes accessible to **Minato Arisato**.

Orpheus' grotesque introduction signifies the fate he suffered long ago. According to mythology, he was ripped apart by Maenads for not honoring Dionysus, leaving only his head untouched. This is the reason why his body is entirely mechanical and why his voice is processed through a speaker embedded in his "stomach."

Should Orpheus' appearance be compared to Minato, they have the same face. His lyre's shape resembles the chair Minato sits on when he's in the **Velvet Room**.

## Trivia

* Compared to every other initial Personas in the Persona series, he has the worst affinities due to him having two weaknesses, without having any resistances to compensate.