The Mythology Behind Echo & Narcissus - A Tale Of PrideTrace the footsteps of Echo & Narcissus - discover the Greek myth and explore why this tragedy has stood the test of time.
Echo noticed the most attractive young man. Narcissus was his name. Echo did something she never thought she'd do: she fell in love. Yet Hera had stolen her voice. All she could do was repeat other people's sounds. She could howl like a wolf or sing like a breeze through reeds, but how could she express her feelings for Narcissus?
She noticed Narcissus looking into a stream one day. Everything he saw appeared to enchant him.
"Come to me," Narcissus pleaded as he gazed into the ocean.
"Come to me," Echo said again.
Narcissus swung back and forth. "Who's there?" he demanded fiercely.
"Who's there?" Echo spoke out loudly.
"Stop doing that!" Narcissus broke.
"Stop doing that!" Echo repeated.
"Let's meet," Narcissus remarked in a much milder tone than he had previously employed.
"Let's meet!" Echo joyously echoed. She emerged from behind a tree.
"Get away," Narcissus said sarcastically.
"Get away," Echo sadly echoed.
Echo unfortunately went away.
Narcissus' life did not improve after that. He returned to the brook several times. He fixed his gaze on the attractive young man he saw in the water. He had no idea it was just a reflection of himself.
Echo sat by the stream, hidden from view, watching Narcissus. She said the last three words Narcissus might have said.
He completely ignored her. He lay by the creek every day, admiring his own reflection. He ceased eating. He gave up drinking. Finally, he passed away.
