Echo And Narcissus Research Paper

Aubrie Gonzalez
Mrs. Veliz
English I-6th Pd
19 April 2016
Echo and Narcissus
Greek mythology are myths or legends about gods, goddesses, heroes and monsters that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is important to modern society because it helps teach lessons and has helped civilizations build up. The myth of Echo and Narcissus is a story that has different versions but still trying to get the same point across. The story warns others about loving someone who cannot love them back and to beware of vanity.
Echo was a tree nymph who was favored by Artemis, goddess of woods, but loved to talk. Hera, goddess of marriage, condemned Echo to forever repeat what others say or do not speak at all, for Hera believed her husband
In his half of the myth it starts with with Narcissus, a gorgeous man who “enjoyed attention, praise and envy. In Narcissus’ eyes nobody matched him and as such he considered none were worthy of him” (“LEGEND”). When Echo confessed her undying love to him, he rejected her. This wasn’t the only case, ”[h]e shunned all the rest of the nymph, as he had done to poor Echo” (Facinabao). The poor nymphs who had been rejected prayed to the goddess Nemesis, goddess of revenge, to punish Narcissus. Nemesis then “heard the story and decided to punish Narcissus” (“The Myth of Narcissus”). “May he who loves not others love himself”’ (Hamilton 114). Or in other words, to love someone who is unable to return the affection. Narcissus punishment was made to make him feel the same heartache Echo and all the nymphs
Narcissus’ condemning was created in order to punish him for breaking women's hearts. Although it was a morbid way to be punished, it did serve as a lesson to others. Echo served as a supporting character who helped the moral be realised. Without her and her significant death, nobody would have comprehended that Narcissus’ rejections were causing harm to many nymphs.
To sum up, this myth is used to teach people about loving other people and not being conceited. If we are self serving, it could only end up lonesome and depressing and possibly death. Greek mythology can be used for many valuable reasons today. One could be how our current western civilizations have expanded vastly and has evolved much to the greeks help. But one of the main reasons Greek mythology is widely important, is because it helps teach lessons and morals. It teaches students about love, trust, and helps inspire them to be creative and create different kinds of