Who is narcissus and echo

However, Narcissus is not the only protagonist of the story. Echo plays an important part too. When Liriope saw her son, she could tell that he was beautiful beyond normal. This had become evident to everyone by the time Narcissus had grown up. Men and women attempted to attract his attention and love, but no one really seemed to interest him. Echo was once a woman who enjoyed talking and was known for interrupting others in conversation.

However, she did the mistake of helping Zeus , the King of the Greek Olympian gods , in hiding his love affairs from his wife, Hera. Whenever Hera was close to catching Zeus with someone else, Echo disoriented the goddess with long stories giving Zeus time to leave.

As soon as Hera realized what Echo was doing, she cursed her to never be able to speak her mind out loud again. Instead, Echo would only be able to repeat the last words spoken by someone else.

One day, Echo saw Narcissus in the woods and, enchanted by his looks, began spying on him. Echo followed the boy and became more and more attracted to him, but there was one problem. Echo was unable to speak to Narcissus.

The only way to let him know of her feelings was to wait for him to say something. Narcissus, unable to see who called him, invited the voice to come close to him. Echo lost no second and jumped out. She opened her arms and went to embrace Narcissus. However, he was not as enthusiastic:. Despite their seemingly strong personality, narcissists are actually very vulnerable underneath their protective armor. Vulnerable feelings, especially shame, sadness, and fear, are relegated to their unconscious.

They have disdain for them or any sign of weakness, which arouses fears of being controlled or humiliated. Thus, to feel sad or lonely evokes their need for someone, which would expose them to hurt, rejection, and feeling inferior. They attempt to eliminate these uncomfortable feelings by demonstrating independence, courage, and strength — ideals with which they identify. Like the myth, narcissists feel superior to others, yet depend upon them to reflect back a positive self-image.

Surprisingly, most narcissists are codependent , too. They dread being considered a fraud, having their shortcomings revealed, their opinions or authority questioned, or their self-esteem or pride tarnished. They will do what it takes to prop up their image and block negative feedback. In their arrogance, they can be dismissive and rude, including projecting their shortcomings on others, criticizing and belittling them or unleashing their narcissistic rage.

They may embarrass family and friends with their boasting or obnoxious sense of entitlement, such as monopolizing the conversation and interrupting. To obtain what they want, they may exploit others, regardless of the consequences. Not everyone who falls for a narcissist is like Echo, but those who stay resemble her — a stereotypical codependent who sacrifices his or her own needs to accommodate others. Whereas Narcissus is overly self-absorbed, Echo is overly other-absorbed. Like Echo, partners of narcissists idealize them.

They like and admire their bold, take-charge attitude. Caretaking and pleasing give them a sense of purpose and value. They crave being wanted, accepted, supported, approved of, needed, and loved. It also allows a narcissist to easily manipulate, abuse and exploit them. Typically, their partners accept the blame and try to be more understanding. They stay to prevent their greatest fear — abandonment and rejection and losing hope of finding lasting love — and because periodically the charm, excitement, and loving gestures that first enchanted them return, especially if a break-up is imminent.

In vain attempts to win approval and stay connected, they thread on eggshells, fearful of displeasing their partner. John William Waterhouse was an English painter, born in Rome, who moved within the orbit of the Pre-Raphaelites, though he was more accurately a neoclassicist. He had a particular penchant for depicting scenes from Greek and Roman mythology in which young women featured — in his Hylas and the Nymphs was removed from public display in the Manchester Art Gallery to stimulate conversation, purportedly, about social attitudes to women.

It has since been returned to the public arena. Echo and Narcissus , John William Waterhouse, Since Narcissus denied everyone his love, the gods fated that Narcissus could never have anything that he loved. One day while Narcissus was hunting he went to get a drink. As he bent down to drink the water he fell in love with the reflection of himself.

He was so awed by this person that he could not move. Narcissus stayed there without any sleep or food. He called to the gods asking why he was being denied the love that the two shared. He started to talk to the reflection. He claimed he would not leave the one he loved and that they would die as one. Crazy with love, Narcissus stayed by the side of the water and wasted away.

Echo returned to see him wasting away. She mourned more and as he said his farewell to the reflection she echoed his words. Narcissus then lay down to die and the nymphs mourned him. They covered him with their hair and set up for a funeral. When they turned for his body, there was a flower instead. Narcissus woodcut by Irving Amen. Narcissus in Pausanias 9.