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!'"