The Origin Of Love

The song 'The Origin Of Love' by Hedwig and the Angry Inch delves into a rich tapestry of mythological storytelling to explore profound themes of love, identity, and human connection. The lyrics draw heavily from the Platonic myth explained in Plato's 'Symposium,' where humans were originally spherical beings with four arms, four legs, and a single head with two faces. These complete beings were split into two by the gods, driven by fear of their power, creating the eternal yearning and search for the other half to become whole again.

The narrative is vividly brought to life through references to various gods like Zeus and Thor, who reshape humanity with their divine powers, symbolizing the forces beyond human control that shape our destinies. The song uses these mythological elements to mirror the pain and struggle inherent in human relationships and the fundamental human desire for connection and completeness. The imagery of being split apart and trying to merge back symbolizes the intense emotional and sometimes physical efforts people make to connect and find love.

Moreover, the song touches on themes of defiance and resilience against the gods' will, reflecting broader human struggles against fate and the natural order. The recurring motif of love as both a destructive and constructive force highlights its dual nature in human experience. The song, through its poetic and mythological allusions, invites listeners to reflect on the origins of their own emotional bonds and the universal quest for love and understanding.