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Analysis of Metamorphoses Book III:

Narcissus and Echo

By Matthew May

Analyzing the Latin

Ovid also builds upon the themes of the echo by repeating meter and position of words

In the interactions between Narcissus and Echo, Ovid repeats words when Echo speaks

Ille fugit fugiensque “manus complexibus aufer:

ante” ait “emoriar, quam sit tibi copia nostri.”

Rettulit illa nihil nisi “sit tibi copia nostri.”

He flees and fleeing her says, “Take off your hands! you shall not fold your arms around me. Better death than such a one should ever caress me!” Naught she answers only, “Caress me!”

...vocat illa vocantem.

Respicit et rursus nullo veniente “quid” inquit

“me fugis?” et totidem, quot dixit, verba recepit.

She calls him calling.

And seeing no one coming, "why" he says, "do you run from me?" And hears, as he said, his words return.

Forte puer comitum seductus ab agmine fido,

dixerat “ecquis adest?” et “adest!” responderat Echo.

Presently the youth, by chance divided from his trusted friends, cries loudly, “Who is here?” and Echo, “Here!”

Perstat et, alternae deceptus imagine vocis,

“huc coeamus!” ait: nullique libentius umquam

responsura sono “coeamus” rettulit Echo

He stands still, deceived by the meaning of the voice,

"Come let us meet!" He said, and no one can at any time to answer other sound more gladly, "Let us meet", brought back Echo.

Differentiations from Other Myths

Relating the Story to Metamorphoses

In Book III, Ovid tells Echo's complete story first...

Echo

Ovid's version is the classic telling of the story, but..

an earlier version by Parthenius of Nicaea recently discovered, Narcissus also kills himself

Conon's version includes Aminias

  • a female suitor who is rejected by Narcissus
  • commits suicide with sword, brings a curse on Narcissus

Pausanius records another version

  • Narcissus falls in love with his twin sister, not his reflection

Might have been inspired by ancient superstition: it was bad luck to look at one's reflection

Two metamorphoses, or transformations, exist in this story

  • Echo -> just her voice
  • Narcissus -> a white and gold flower

Narcissus

Echo, a nymph cursed by Juno to speak only the last words of others, fell in love with him

Cephisus raped the nymph Liriope, and the beautiful Narcissus was born

Depictions of the Story in Art

Passion and love has the power to destroy and create chaos

  • Echo loves Narcissus too much -> pines away
  • Narcissus loves himself too much -> pines away

Hubris/crimes are met with horrible, tragic consequences

  • Echo helps adulterers -> she is cursed to only speak last words
  • Narcissus is vain, and derisive -> he is made to fall in love with his own reflection

John William Waterhouse's painting Echo and Narcissus depicts Echo gazing at Narcissus as he stares at his reflection in the pool.

Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Salvador Dali is an interpretation of Narcissus as he turns into a flower.

Tiresias prophesied that Narcissus would have a long happy life "if he does not recognize himself"

Narcissus rejected her; she hid and her body wasted away to only her voice

and then finishes with Narcissus's...

In place of his body lies a flower, white with a gold center

Transitions

Narcissus falls in love with his reflection in a pool of water; he realizes it is his reflection, and he will never be able to be with himself

Works Cited

transition into the story...

..., and transition out

Subversiveness in Narcissus and Echo

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Narcissus-Greek-mythology

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Metamorphoses-poem-by-Ovid

http://www.gradesaver.com/metamorphoses/study-guide/themes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_(mythology)#Ancient_sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_and_Narcissus#/media/File:John_William_Waterhouse_-_Echo_and_Narcissus_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/393150242444803927/

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/cephissus-falls-in-cradle-mountain-lake-st-clair-national-park-world-heritage-area-tasmania-australia-peter-walton-photography.html

http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_92464/Giulio-Carpioni/The-Blind-Prophet-Tiresias-with-the-Baby-Narcissus,-after-1666

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_(mythology)#/media/File:Alexandre_Cabanel_-_Echo.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemesis_(mythology)#/media/File:Alfred_Rethel_002.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_(mythology)#/media/File:Metamorphosis_of_Narcissus.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/a-evans/7071841839/in/photolist-bLV3cz-e629DQ-dfEzB-ELs1K-4SZbez-6oXiSV-9XAsp-ySgEj-m4wtH-e5VuvM-7S9iSG-4HFRgL-e5Vv3F-bdCzhn-mmPzKe-aR4Wj-vZTds-95Lbow-8KPmY-e5VuPe-7SNVsX-zx3ui-vZUmW-6ca1X1-7CjEZG-9818i-no6NPH-e5VvFX-r3t2vE-4EP8Jw-brnMnF-Fe8mG-96LKTw-fEzz4-68RFPo-9818o-BW2xs-6cuP4w-4qNZQw-4Fhyqf-6go77A-quxY7W-6cQBfR-4Fdjxi-e5Vwux-4FhyeL-6d88Bs-boiKLW-9818k-bsEGko

http://greekmythology.wikia.com/wiki/Aminias

  • Tiresias's story precedes
  • Tiresias was given foreisight by Jupiter
  • Liriope asks Tiresias if her son will live a long, happy life
  • Tiresias's prophechy foreshadows story

"If he but fail to recognize himself..."

  • Pentheus and Bacchus's story follows
  • Tiresias's prophecy coming true brings him fame
  • Pentheus doesn't believe him, ridicules him
  • Tiresias prophecy foreshadows what happens

"Either thou must build a temple to this Deity(Bacchus), or shalt be torn asunder..."

Ovid criticizes egotism and self-importance through the tragedy of Narcissus

  • Claims that narcissism traps you, and prevents you from doing anything else

Ovid rejects the benevolence of the gods

  • Juno punishes Echo harshly
  • Nemesis punishes Narcissus

Narcissus stares at himself until he wastes away, melted by an inner fire; thus, he commits suicide

Nemesis cursed Narcissus for his mocking and condescension over others:

"'So he may love—and never win his love!'"

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