# Transformation of Echo explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Juno punishes Echo for her loquacity by restricting her to repeating only the last words of others. Echo falls in love with Narcissus, but he rejects her. She pines away until only her voice remains, echoing in caves. The chapter also introduces Narcissus, son of the nymph Liriope and the river god Cephisus, and the prophecy of Tiresias that Narcissus will die if he ever knows himself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Echo's unrequited love for Narcissus drives her to despair and eventual transformation.

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Echo is transformed from a nymph into a disembodied voice, and later her bones petrify.

## Character check-ins

### Echo

Punished by Juno for her loquacity; falls in love with Narcissus and pines away until only her voice remains.

### Narcissus

A beautiful youth, son of Liriope and Cephisus, who rejects Echo's love and is subject to Tiresias' prophecy.

### Juno

Punishes Echo by restricting her speech to repetition.

### Jove

Mentioned as the husband of Juno, with whom Echo interfered.

## Key lines

> Juno a curse did on her tongue impose, To sport with every sentence in the close.

Juno cursed Echo so that she could only repeat the last words spoken by others.

_Explains the origin of Echo's limited speech._

> If e’er he knows himself he surely dies.

If Narcissus ever recognizes his own reflection, he will die.

_Tiresias' prophecy about Narcissus._

> The sounding skeleton, of blood bereft, Besides her bones and voice, had nothing left.

Echo wasted away until only her bones and voice remained.

_Describes Echo's physical decline after her rejection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-echo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters