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The myth of Narcissus originates from Greek mythology. Narcissus was a young man of extraordinary beauty who rejected all romantic advances, including that of the nymph Echo.
As punishment for his arrogance, the gods caused him to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to leave or consummate his love, he wasted away and died, eventually transforming into the narcissus flower.
The myth is often interpreted as a cautionary tale about vanity, self-obsession, and the dangers of excessive self-love.
View BranchThe myth of Narcissus is often interpreted as a cautionary tale against vanity and self-obsession, but this interpretation overlooks a deeper philosophical critique. Narcissus's downfall is not merely a result of self-love but of a failure to recognize the distinction between the self and its reflection.
His tragedy lies in mistaking the image for reality, a metaphor for the human tendency to confuse superficial appearances with true essence. Thus, the myth warns not against self-love per se, but against the illusion of self-knowledge and the dangers of being trapped in a superficial understanding of oneself.
True self-awareness requires transcending mere reflection and engaging with the world authentically.
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