Narcissus.
A face that cannot answer
Narcissus: Greek Myth, His Reflection and the Story of Echois the beautiful young man who becomes transfixed by his own reflection. In , the stories of and lead into a desire that cannot be returned by the image that inspires it.
More than a myth.
The warning about self-knowledge
Liriope asks whether her son will live a long life. His answer makes survival depend on not knowing himself. develops the paradox through ’s beauty and the lovers he rejects. The prophecy is not initially a modern instruction about self-esteem; its meaning becomes clear through the particular form of recognition the story eventually gives him.
Echo and the rejected lovers
follows but can only repeat words another person has spoken. Their encounter ends in rejection, and her body wastes away until only her voice remains. Another rejected admirer prays that Narcissus will love without possessing what he loves. hears the prayer, linking the pool scene to the harms that came before it.
The reflection and the flower
At first takes the reflected figure for another person. When he understands that it is himself, the knowledge does not free him. He cannot hold or be answered by the image. After his death, the mourners find a flower where his body should be. ’s ending gives loss a recurring natural form without making the story a clinical diagnosis.
Questions about Narcissus
Why does Narcissus fall in love with his reflection?
connects the encounter to a rejected admirer’s prayer answered by . initially fails to understand that the beautiful figure is his own image.
Who was Echo to Narcissus?
She was a who desired him and was rejected. Their stories are joined in , but her limited speech has an earlier cause involving .
It’s a family affair.
Narcissus
Self-recognition & unfulfilled loveNo children represented in this edition.
The stories of Narcissus.
Ancient voices.
Enduring stories.
Myths have many tellings. These are the ancient works behind this profile, linked to freely available English translations.
Metamorphoses
Book 3.339–510