In the myth of Echo and Narcissus, Echo, a nymph, falls deeply in love with Narcissus, a handsome youth she sees while wandering in the woods. She follows him but cannot express her feelings because she has been cursed to only repeat the words of others. When Narcissus calls out, she responds, echoing his words. He, intrigued but ultimately rejecting her, asks her to come closer, but when she approaches and attempts to embrace him, he rebuffs her, asserting that he would rather die than be touched by her. Heartbroken, Echo retreats into the woods, consumed by her unrequited love, eventually wasting away until only her voice remains. She retreats into solitude, and her once-beautiful form deteriorates, embodying the idea that she exists as a mere echo in the wilderness, forever haunted by her love for Narcissus.
Echo and Narcissus
Ovid, translated by Brookes More 1 A.D.
One day, when she observed Narcissus wandering in the pathless woods, she loved him and she followed him, with soft and stealthy tread. The more she followed him the hotter did she burn, as when the flame flares upward from the sulfur on the torch. Oh, how she longed to make her passion known! To plead in soft entreaty! to implore his love! But now, till others have begun, a mute of Nature she must be. She cannot choose but wait the moment when his voice may give to her an answer. Presently the youth, by chance divided from his trusted friends, cries loudly, “Who is here?” and Echo, “Here!” Replies. Amazed, he casts his eyes around, and calls with louder voice, “Come here!” “Come here!” She calls the youth who calls. He turns to see who calls him and, beholding naught exclaims, “Avoid me not!” “Avoid me not!” returns. He tries again, again, and is deceived by this alternate voice, and calls aloud; “Oh let us come together!” Echo cries, “Oh let us come together!” Never sound seemed sweeter to the Nymph, and from the woods she hastens in accordance with her words, and strives to wind her arms around his neck. He flies from her and as he leaves her says, “Take off your hands! you shall not fold your arms around me. Better death than such a one should ever caress me!” Naught she answers save, “Caress me!” Thus rejected she lies hid in the deep woods, hiding her blushing face with the green leaves; and ever after lives concealed in lonely caverns in the hills. But her great love increases with neglect; her miserable body wastes away, wakeful with sorrows; leanness shrivels up her skin, and all her lovely features melt, as if dissolved upon the wafting winds—nothing remains except her bones and voice—her voice continues, in the wilderness; her bones have turned to stone. She lies concealed in the wild woods, nor is she ever seen on lonely mountain range; for, though we hear her calling in the hills, 'tis but a voice, a voice that lives, that lives among the hills.
Summarize what happens between Echo and Narcissus.
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