ECHO & NARCISSUS
“Self-love for ever creeps out, like a snake, to sting anything
which happens to stumble upon it.”
Who was Echo?
• In Greek mythology, Ekho
(Greek: Ἠχώ, Ēkhō; "Sound")
was an Oread (a mountain
nymph) who loved her own
voice. Zeus loved consorting
with beautiful nymphs and
visited them on Earth often.
Eventually, Zeus's wife, Hera,
became suspicious, and came
from Mt. Olympus in an
attempt to catch Zeus with
the nymphs.
Who Was Narcissus ?
• Narcissus or Narkissos (Greek:
Νάρκισσος), possibly derived from
ναρκη (narke) meaning "sleep,
numbness," in Greek mythology was a
hunter from the territory of Thespiae in
Boeotia who was renowned for his
beauty. He was exceptionally proud, in
that he disdained those who loved
him. Nemesis saw this and attracted
Narcissus to a pool where he saw his
own reflection in the waters and fell in
love with it, not realizing it was merely
an image. Unable to leave the beauty
of his reflection, Narcissus died.
About Story
•The story is told in Book III
of the Metamorphoses, and
tells the story of a "talkative
nymph" who "yet a
chatterbox, had no other use
of speech than she has now,
that she could repeat only the
last words out of many." She
falls in love with Narcissus,
whom she catches sight of
when he is "chasing
frightened deer into his nets."
About Story
• Eventually, after "burning
with a closer flame," Echo's
presence is revealed to
Narcissus, who, after a
comic, yet tragic scene,
rejects her love. Echo
wastes away, until she
"remains a voice" and "is
heard by all." This is the
explanation of the aural
effect which was named
after her.
About Story
• Then, Narcissus "tired
from both his enthusiasm
for hunting and from the
heat" rests by a spring,
and whilst drinking, "a new
thirst grows inside him"
and he is "captivated by
the image of the beauty he
has seen" and falls deeply
in love with "all the things
for which he himself is
admired." He then wastes
away with love for himself,
echoing the manner in
which Echo did earlier on.
• A while later his body is gone,
and in its place is
a narcissusflower.
ECHO AND NARCISSUS
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_and_Nar
cissus
• http://www.gradesaver.com/mythology/stu
dy-guide/section5/
• http://www.paleothea.com/Myths/Echo.htm
l
• Thanks for Listening.