The subject of the myth 'Echo and Narcissus'?

Answer 1

Let's first refresh the myth of Echo and Narcissus.

Echo served for many years as Hera's attendant. An incessant talker, Echo couldn't stop herself from talking without stop. Zeus, who was always looking for young nymphs, saw that Echo could help him meet his desires. When Zeus invited Echo's sisters to Mt Olympus, Echo would distract Hera, as the nymphs crept in and out of Zeus' bed. When Hera found out, she devised a cruel punishment: She stole Echo's ability to talk independently. Echo couldn't ever start a conversation again; she could only repeat what others had just said.

One day, Echo caught sight of a young man who was out hunting. She followed him and wanted to speak to him, but of course, she couldn't. The young man was Narcissus, an aloof and heartless young man. He was so proud of his beauty that he had already scorned the romantic advances of dozens of lovers - both male and female!

Echo followed Narcissus, but couldn't speak to him, despite her intense longing. Narcissus had become separated from his hunting party, and soon wondered how far off he was. He cried, "Is anyone here?"

"Here!" Echo replied.

Narcissus couldn't see anyone, but called out, "Let us come together!"

"Let us come together!" Echo enthusiastically agreed. She rushed out of hiding and tried to hug Narcissus. He rudely pushed her away.

"Don't touch me!" he cried. "I would sooner die than let you make love to me!"

"Make love to me!" Echo cried, but Narcissus had already turned away.

Echo wasted away, as she was unable to sleep or eat as she pined away for her unrequited love. She eventually turned to stone. only her voice remained, haunting the mountains... As it still does today.

Eventually, the goddess, Nemesis - of vengeance, agreed with Narcissus' male suitors that the young man's hubris deserved punishment. She arranged for Narcissus to stop and quench his thirst at a pool on Mt Helicon (where Echo came from) and as he knelt over the water and scoop up some water, Narcissus caught sight of his reflection. He fell in love with his reflection immediately.

He couldn't consummate his love because the reflection disintegrated every time he touched it. He was so close to touching, but was never able to. He eventually pined away for his own image.

The myth is used as a warning to those who are in love with someone who cannot love them back and is often used as a basis for understanding understanding the complications the Narcissistic Personality Disorder can bring.

Answer 2

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