The Tragic End of Narcissus

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 30 views

Due Date: March 13, 2025

Task Instructions

Read Aloud

For this assignment, we will be reading the ancient Roman poem "Echo and Narcissus" by Ovid, translated by Brookes More. Please read the poem aloud to yourself, paying close attention to the language, imagery, and themes presented.

Annotate

As you read the poem, annotate the text with your thoughts, questions, and observations. Use a medium font size to highlight important phrases, words, or lines that stand out to you.

Font Size: Medium

Please use a medium font size for your annotations, as this will help you to clearly see your notes and comments.

Assessment Questions

After completing the reading and annotation tasks, please answer the following assessment questions:

What is the main theme of the poem "Echo and Narcissus"?
How does Ovid use language and imagery to convey the theme of the poem?
What role does the character of Echo play in the poem?
How does the character of Narcissus relate to the theme of the poem?
What message do you think Ovid is trying to convey through this poem?

Translated by Brookes More, 1 A.D.

The Story of Echo and Narcissus

In ancient Greece, there lived a beautiful nymph named Echo. She was known for her lovely voice and her ability to repeat the last words spoken to her. However, Echo was also cursed by the goddess Hera, who was jealous of her beauty and her ability to charm others.

One day, while Echo was out in the forest, she came across a handsome young man named Narcissus. Narcissus was a beautiful and proud young man, who was loved by many, but he did not return the affections of anyone. Echo was immediately smitten with Narcissus and tried to win his heart, but he rejected her.

The Curse of Echo

As Echo continued to love Narcissus, she became more and more heartbroken. She began to wither away, losing her beauty and her voice. The gods, who were watching over her, decided to punish Narcissus for his cruelty.

They created a beautiful pool of water, and Narcissus came across it while he was out hunting. As he looked into the pool, he saw his own reflection staring back at him. He was immediately captivated by his own beauty and fell deeply in love with himself.

The Tragic End of Narcissus

As Narcissus continued to gaze at his own reflection, he became more and more obsessed with himself. He forgot about the world around him and the people who loved him. Eventually, he died, stuck to the spot, unable to tear himself away from his own reflection.

The Lesson of Echo and Narcissus

The story of Echo and Narcissus teaches us a valuable lesson about the dangers of self-love and the importance of loving others. Narcissus's obsession with himself led to his downfall, while Echo's love for him ultimately led to her own heartbreak.

Discussion Questions

What do you think is the main message of the poem "Echo and Narcissus"?
How does the poem relate to modern society?
What can we learn from the story of Echo and Narcissus?
How does the poem use language and imagery to convey its theme?
What role does the character of Echo play in the poem?

Conclusion

The poem "Echo and Narcissus" by Ovid is a powerful and thought-provoking tale that teaches us about the dangers of self-love and the importance of loving others. Through its use of language and imagery, the poem conveys a valuable lesson that is still relevant today.

Assessment Questions

What is the main theme of the poem "Echo and Narcissus"?
How does Ovid use language and imagery to convey the theme of the poem?
What role does the character of Echo play in the poem?
How does the character of Narcissus relate to the theme of the poem?
What message do you think Ovid is trying to convey through this poem?

References

Ovid. (1 A.D.). Echo and Narcissus. Translated by Brookes More.
Wikipedia. (2023). Echo and Narcissus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_and_Narcissus

Note

Please answer the assessment questions in the space provided below.

Assessment Questions Answer

What is the main theme of the poem "Echo and Narcissus"?

The main theme of the poem "Echo and Narcissus" is the dangers of self-love and the importance of loving others.

How does Ovid use language and imagery to convey the theme of the poem?

Ovid uses language and imagery to convey the theme of the poem by describing the beauty of Echo and Narcissus, and the tragic end of Narcissus. He also uses the character of Echo to highlight the importance of loving others.

What role does the character of Echo play in the poem?

The character of Echo plays a significant role in the poem, as she is the one who is rejected by Narcissus and ultimately dies from heartbreak.

How does the character of Narcissus relate to the theme of the poem?

The character of Narcissus relates to the theme of the poem by illustrating the dangers of self-love. His obsession with himself leads to his downfall, and serves as a warning to others about the dangers of self-love.

What message do you think Ovid is trying to convey through this poem?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who is the author of the poem "Echo and Narcissus"?

A1: The author of the poem "Echo and Narcissus" is the Roman poet Ovid.

Q2: What is the main theme of the poem "Echo and Narcissus"?

A2: The main theme of the poem "Echo and Narcissus" is the dangers of self-love and the importance of loving others.

Q3: Who is the character of Echo in the poem?

A3: The character of Echo is a beautiful nymph who is cursed by the goddess Hera and is unable to speak for herself. She is in love with the character of Narcissus.

Q4: What is the significance of the pool of water in the poem?

A4: The pool of water is a symbol of Narcissus's self-love and obsession with his own reflection. It represents the idea that Narcissus is so caught up in his own beauty that he is unable to see the world around him.

Q5: What is the tragic end of Narcissus in the poem?

A5: The tragic end of Narcissus is that he dies, stuck to the spot, unable to tear himself away from his own reflection in the pool of water.

Q6: What message do you think Ovid is trying to convey through this poem?

A6: I think Ovid is trying to convey the message that loving others is more important than loving oneself. The poem teaches us that self-love can lead to tragedy, while loving others can bring joy and fulfillment.

Q7: How does the poem relate to modern society?

A7: The poem relates to modern society in that it highlights the dangers of self-love and the importance of loving others. In today's society, we often see people becoming so caught up in their own lives and their own desires that they forget about the world around them and the people who care about them.

Q8: What can we learn from the story of Echo and Narcissus?

A8: We can learn from the story of Echo and Narcissus that loving others is more important than loving oneself. We can also learn that self-love can lead to tragedy, while loving others can bring joy and fulfillment.

Q9: How does the poem use language and imagery to convey its theme?

A9: The poem uses language and imagery to convey its theme by describing the beauty of Echo and Narcissus, and the tragic end of Narcissus. The poem also uses the character of Echo to highlight the importance of loving others.

Q10: What is the significance of the character of Echo in the poem?

A10: The character of Echo is significant in the poem because she represents the idea that loving others is more important than loving oneself. She is a symbol of the importance of relationships and the dangers of self-love.

Additional Resources

Ovid. (1 A.D.). Echo and Narcissus. Translated by Brookes More.
Wikipedia. (2023). Echo and Narcissus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_and_Narcissus

Note

Please feel free to ask any additional questions you may have about the poem "Echo and Narcissus" by Ovid.