Echo and Narcissus

Zeus had many love affairs with nymphs. When Zeus’ wife, Hera, came seeking for him, Echo distracted Hera as the nymphs made their escape. Hera discovered Echo’s trick and punished her by taking away her voice except to repeat another’s words. Echo fell in love with a vain young man named Narcissus who had no interest in love.  Narcissus was out hunting one day. Echo followed closely behind him but was unable to speak out to him. Then when Narcissus heard her footsteps, he called out “Who’s there?” Echo repeated his words and this went on for a while until Echo showed herself and tried to embrace him. Narcissus harshly rejected her. Echo was heartbroken and spent the rest of her lonely life living in caves. Her bones were eventually changed into rocks and nothing remained of her but her voice. Unfortunately, Echo was not the only person to be left heartbroken by Narcissus. One maiden was so upset by Narcissus that she prayed he would fall in love and feel no return of affection. The maiden’s prayer was heard. One day, Narcissus came to a clear fountain. As he bent over to drink, he saw his own image in the reflection and immediately fell in love. Unable to embrace or touch his love, Narcissus was overcome with pain and eventually died. When the nymphs looked to find his body, in its place was a flower that is now bears the name of Narcissus.

The only really narcissistic people I can think of in our society are celebrities. And it’s not exactly fair for me to say they’re narcissistic because our image of them is skewed by what’s portrayed in media. However, for the sake of this blog, one person that seems a bit more narcissistic than an average person is Justin Bieber.