The myth of Narcissus is one of the most famous stories in Greek mythology. According to the myth, Narcissus was so beautiful and so vain that, after despising countless suitors, he ended up falling in love with his own reflection. He died of hunger and thirst at the edge of the water source where he saw his image reflected.
The myth teaches us that the excess of vanity and lack of empathy for others can be harmful. Narcissus has become a symbol of individualism and an excess of self-love.
Narcissus Story Summary
The best known version of the Narcissus myth is the one told by Roman poet Ovid (43 yr. C.-18 d. Ç.) in your work Metamorphoses.
The myth says that Narcissus is the son of the nymph Lyriope and Cephisus, god of the lakes. Once, when Narcissus was still a child, his mother went to the soothsayer Tiresias to see if her son would have a long life. The answer disturbed Liriope: "He will only live long if he doesn't know himself."
Ever since he was little, Narcissus drew attention for his beauty. And as the years passed, there was no lack of suitors, both girls and boys, interested in the handsome boy. But Narcissus didn't care about anyone: he despised everyone.
One day, while hunting in the woods, Narcissus was surprised by Echo, a nymph condemned to repeat the end of the sentences others spoke. This curse had been imposed by the goddess Hera, irritated by the fact that the nymph distracted her with her chatter while Zeus, her husband, was with his lovers.
The dialogue between Narcissus and Echo, as you can imagine, was not good. Eco could only repeat the last words Narcissus said. Confused and somewhat irritated, Narcissus repelled Echo just as the nymph tried to hug him.
Feeling rejected, poor Eco isolated herself in the middle of the woods and no longer wanted to eat or drink. Later, she died, but her voice remained. Here is the origin of the echo.
After the incident with Echo, Narcissus continued to despise anyone who dared to want to conquer him. Until one day a nymph cried to the gods that Narcissus be punished. And the punishment came at the hands of Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance.
During a walk through the woods, Narcissus found a source of crystal clear water that until then no living being had touched. He bent over the fountain and, not realizing that it was his own reflection, saw a beautiful young man looking directly at him. The wonder was so great that Narcissus couldn't stop looking at that mysterious boy. He was finally in love.
But soon came the disappointment. Narcissus' love was unrequited. Nor could he embrace his beloved. Despite this, he refused to abandon the water source, hoping that one day he could fulfill his love. But that never happened.
Deeply depressed, Narcissus stopped eating and drinking and ended up languishing at the water's edge. In the place where he died, a yellow and white flower, which we know today by the name of narcissus, was born.
Meaning of the Narcissus Myth
Narcissus was so arrogant and felt so special that, in his eyes, no one was good enough for him. His excess of vanity made him only fall in love with someone of his category: in this case, himself! Thus, the myth can be read as a criticism of self-centeredness and excessive vanity.
Narcissus, by the Italian painter Caravaggio (1571-1610).
See too:
- meaning of narcissism
- Definition of Greek Mythology
- meaning of myth