The Origin Of Love

The song "The Origin of Love" by the Riverdale Cast is a lyrical retelling of an ancient myth that explores the origins of love and human connection. The narrative is inspired by Aristophanes' speech in Plato's Symposium, which describes a time when humans were originally spherical beings with two faces, four arms, and four legs. These beings were powerful and self-sufficient, but their strength and defiance frightened the gods.

The lyrics describe how the gods, particularly Zeus, decided to split these beings in half as a way to diminish their power. This act of division created the humans we know today, each with a longing to find their other half. The song vividly portrays this mythological event, with references to gods like Thor and Zeus using their divine powers to sever the original beings. The imagery of fire, lightning, and storms adds a dramatic flair to the tale, emphasizing the pain and loss experienced by these newly separated individuals.

As the song progresses, it delves into the emotional aftermath of this separation. The characters sing about the deep, intrinsic pain that comes from being split from one's other half, a pain that they identify as love. This love drives them to seek out and reunite with their missing halves, symbolizing the human quest for connection and completeness. The song concludes with a poignant reflection on how this myth explains the human condition of loneliness and the eternal search for love.

The Riverdale Cast's rendition of this mythological story is both captivating and thought-provoking, blending ancient themes with modern musical elements to create a powerful narrative about the origins of love and the human desire for unity.