thinking about how orpheus turning to look back at eurydice isnβt a sign of mortal frailness but a sign of love
βEurydice, dying now a second time, uttered no complaint against her husband. What was there to complain of, but that she had been loved?β β Ovid, Metamorphoses
This is true no matter the version you're reading.
1. Eurydice trips and Orpheus turns to help her because he loves her.
2. Orpheus cannot hear Eurydice behind him, and fearing that he's been tricked, turns to make sure she's there.
3. Orpheus makes it out of the Underworld, and so full of love and excitement to be with Eurydice, turns to embrace her, forgetting that they both need to be out of the Underworld.
No matter what happens in the story, Orpheus loses Eurydice because his love for her compels him to look.
Orpheus, I can forgive you, then, Thereβs not a soul alive who wouldnβt have looked back
The Descent, by Tyler King
Donβt forget Gluckβs opera, where Eurydice doesnβt know Orpheus is forbidden to look back, Orpheus is also forbidden to tell her, she assumes he must not love her anymore, and Orpheus finally looks back to reassure her of his love because he canβt bear her anguish.
In that version in particular, but possibly in all retellings, a part of us wants Orpheus to look back, because his failure proves his love.
