The Myths of Narcissus

It is noteworthy in view of the fundamental role assigned to narcissism by Freud that there exists no detailed analysis of the myth which immortalized the handsome youth, Narcissus and provided psychoanalysis with so felicitous a term. Certain essential features of the myth are well-known, and these may serve as convenient initial material for analysis, the more so, as they raise certain problems of considerable importance for investigation. Narcissus, as will be recalled from the frequently cited version of the myth, was a youth of extraordinary beauty who fell in love with his image as he leaned over a pool of water. Fascinated by his own reflection, he pined away and died. There appeared in his stead the flower which bears his name. What is usually emphasized in this touching story is the extreme self-love which Narcissus manifests, the very quality which is designated by the term narcissism. But is self-love the only essential aspect of the myth? Apparently what has been less emphasized is the fact that the death of Narcissus is by self-neglect and that the myth therefore, is as much concerned with the fate of destructive impulses as it is with libidinal impulses. Moreover, is the relationship between the youth and the narcissus plant as superficial as the myth would seem to indicate, or is there a more significant tie between the two?

The peculiar manner in which Narcissus met his death lends itself more easily to analysis than do other, more obscure features of the myth. Analysis must explain not only the nature and object of Narcissus' infatuation, but also the circumstances surrounding the appearance of this infatuation, namely his gazing into a pool of water and the manner of his death, self-neglect.

Concerning the gazing into a pool of water there are indications of the solution to the problem in the events which led to the conception of Narcissus. From the version of the myth described by Ovid, it is learned that “the river god Cephisus, embraced [Liriope]