Synopsis

• The nymph Echo, who'd been cursed by the godess Juno, to only repeat thelast word people say spotted Narcissus, the boy so beautiful whover laid eyes on him fell in love with him at once.

• Narcissus though was very conceited and would have nothing to do with anyone.Narcissus turns down Echo, and she goes to live in a cave alone.

• Narcissus discovers a hidden pool of water, and bends low to drink. He falls in love with his own reflection in the water. Narcissus stared day after day at his 'love' in the water.

• Narcissus wasted away and eventually died. the Nymphs looked for his body but found only a beautiful white flower where he had been.

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Analysis

The myth of Narcissus is perhaps one of the oldest of the mirror tales that still is in existance today. This tale has its roots in the early greek and roman mythologies. This myth centers not around a mirror, though but around a reflective pool, the like of which could be found in the greecian areas. This myth gives out several moral messages, like the downfalls of vanity, and beauty.

It tells a tragic tale with the mirror at it's centre, which ultimately brings about the doom of narcissus, cursed by his own beauty and vanity to stare upon his own lovely face for the rest of eternity without ever being able to touch the thing he loves so and is doomed to stare at forever.