# Story of Narcissus explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Narcissus, a beautiful youth who spurns all romantic advances, is cursed by a scorned nymph to fall in love with his own reflection. He becomes entranced by his image in a fountain, wastes away from unrequited self-love, and upon his death is transformed into the flower that bears his name.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Narcissus is transformed into a flower after his death, embodying the theme of physical change as a consequence of emotional or spiritual crisis.

### Love and Desire

The story explores the destructive nature of self-love and unrequited desire, as Narcissus becomes enamored with his own image.

### Fate and Prophecy

The curse invoked by Echo's prayer sets in motion Narcissus's inevitable doom, highlighting the power of fate.

## Character check-ins

### Narcissus

A handsome youth who falls in love with his own reflection and dies of unrequited self-love.

### Echo

The slighted nymph whose prayer for vengeance leads to Narcissus's fate; she mourns his death.

## Key lines

> He fell in love with the fantastic shade, And o'er the fair resemblance hung unmoved; Nor knew, fond youth! it was himself he loved.

Narcissus became captivated by his own reflection, unaware that he was gazing at himself.

_This moment captures the central irony of the myth: the object of his desire is his own image._

> It is myself I love, myself I see, The gay delusion is a part of me; I kindle up the fires by which I burn, And my own beauties from the well return.

Narcissus realizes that the reflection he adores is his own, and that he is the source of his own suffering.

_This realization marks the climax of his self-awareness and the futility of his passion._

> When, looking for his corpse, they only found A rising stalk with yellow blossoms crown'd.

When the nymphs searched for Narcissus's body to prepare it for burial, they discovered only a flower growing in its place.

_This describes the metamorphosis of Narcissus into the flower that bears his name._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-narcissus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters