Narcissus and Echo
Narcissus rejects the nymph Echo and eventually becomes trapped by love for his own reflection.
The Story
Narcissus was a beautiful youth who attracted the attention of many admirers.
He rejected them.
Among those who loved him was Echo.
Echo had once possessed an ordinary voice, but a divine punishment left her able only to repeat the words spoken by others.
She could not easily declare her feelings to Narcissus.
When she finally approached him, he rejected her.
Echo withdrew in grief until only her voice remained.
Narcissus continued to reject those who loved him.
Eventually he encountered a clear pool of water.
Looking down, he saw a beautiful face.
He did not understand that the image was his own reflection.
Narcissus fell in love with it.
Whenever he reached toward the figure, the water moved and the image vanished.
He could neither possess the person he loved nor leave.
Narcissus wasted away beside the pool.
In his place appeared the flower that bears his name.
The punishment mirrors Narcissus' treatment of others.
Having refused genuine human connection, he becomes consumed by a love that can never be returned.
Key Figures
Why It Matters
The Narcissus myth became one of the most enduring stories about self-absorption, unattainable desire and the inability to recognise another person as separate from oneself.
Traditions & Variations
Ovid's combined story of Narcissus and Echo is the best-known version, but Greek traditions about Narcissus existed independently and did not always include Echo.