Vocabulary and Notes

Line 11, “Rhodopēius”:  The word implies Thracian. Mt. Rhodope serves as a  landmark for any setting in Thrace.
 
Line 13, “Taenariā”: Taenarum is a mythical place in Greek mythology thought to be the entrance to the Underworld. Heracles is said to have used it as well.
 
Line 14: "perque": While rare, the "que" ending can sometimes be attached to a preposition. "Perque" is translated as "through both .... and ...."
 
Line 19, “falsī positīs ambāgibus ōris”: An ablative absolute, translating to “with the uncertainty of false lips having been set down”
 
Line 21, “tartara": An example of enjambment, stressing one of the many things that did not contribute to Orpheus' decision to venture into the Underworld.

Line 21-22, “colubrīs/terna”: Cerberus, the three headed guard dog of the Underworld, was often depicted with a serpent tail and the heads of many snakes running along his back.
 
Line 26-27, "supera...esse": The repetition of "hic" is an anaphora, serving to stress the importance of love and its universal presence.

Line 29, “vōs quoque iūnxit Amor”: Orpheus references the myth of Hades kidnapping of Persephone, arguing that even the god of the Underworld himself has fallen prey to the power of love.

31, "retexite fāta": Orpheus uses poetic devices and imagery throughout his speech. Here he uses the reference of the threads of fate to illustrate his belief that Eurydice's death was too early, thus tangling fate.
 
Line 33, “sēdem”: Orpheus represents death as a single seat, with all mortals eventually hastening toward it. This may be a reference to the throne Hades sits on, Orpheus subtly praising and noting the power that the god possesses.
 
Line 36-37, "cum...vestrī": A cum clause with subjunctive "perēgerit". Translates to: "when mature, having exhausted her justified years will be yours to rule"
 
Line 41-46, "nec Tantalus...nec rēgia": The repetition of "nec" is an anaphora that illustrates the effect of Orpheus' song throughout every part of the Underworld.
 
Line 42, "Ixīonis orbis": Ixion was a mythical king who attempted to seduce Hera. As punishment for his hubris, Zeus bound him to a flaming wheel that spun forever in the Underworld.

Line 44, "Bēlidēs": The Belides were the 50 daughter of Danaus. After their father ordered them to kill their husbands on their wedding night they were sentenced to endlessly fills a container with holes in it.
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Line 44, "Sīsyphe": An example of an apostrophe, Ovid directly and personally addresses Sisyphus. In doing so, he stresses the impact of Orpheus' song, as even the infamous Sisyphus takes a momentary break to listen.

Line 46, "Eumenidum": Eumenides is another name for the Furies, goddesses of the Underworld responsible for vengeance and justice.