Monday, May 25, 2009

Narcissism

The Ancient Greek myth of Narcissus: Narcissus is a vain, but incredibly gorgeous young man, who shuns the love and affection of the gods and his male suitors. Nobody is good enough for him. Wandering through the forest one day, he finds himself on the banks of a river in search of water to drink. He crouches to reach into the water when he catches his reflection staring back at him. Suddenly, he finds himself enraptured by this image and falls quickly and erratically in love. He lies there on the bank of the river, wondering about the beautiful youth who is gazing back at him. As he reaches his finger out to touch this image, it disintegrates into ripples, shocking him out of his reverie and leaving him hankering after in heartache. However, after a few moments, the water stills, and his reflection reappears, as reflections do when water is given time to rest. This time, Narcissus is cautious. He has become so enamoured by his image that he refuses to touch the water again, for it would damage and dissipate the image of himself. It is here, by the banks of the river, that he lays for the rest of his life, entranced by his own reflection.

He dies of thirst.

Posted by Alexander Thaddeus Kow at 5/25/2009 02:39:00 am