A little more Narcissus -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 10:17:11 04/05/08 Sat
Author: Erin Risch
Subject: A little more Narcissus

Here are a couple passages from the Narcissus myth that I meant to bring up in class on Wednesday but forgot.

The first occurs while Narcissus is starting at his own image:

"And, often, I've seen tears
upon your face just when I've wept, and when
I signal to you, you reply; and I
can see the movement of your lovely lips--
returning words that cannot reach my ears." (p. 95)

Narcissus is devastated because he can't hear what he's always heard, words of love, praise, and acceptance coming from those who see him. He has always been praised by the other nymphs, especially Echo, and from this comes his self-love. When first he cannot hear those praises, his entire way of life is disrupted.

The second is found on p. 93, and it comes from youth who was scorned by Narcissus:

"May
Narcissus fall in love; but once a prey,
may he, too, be denied the prize he craves."

Having been denied reciprocal love, the youth now wishes for reciprocal pain. This seems to be the basis of many rivals: you don't wish someone you admire to have happiness that you can't have.

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Replies:

Re: A little more Narcissus -- Cara, 19:58:25 04/12/08 Sat