Reflecting on the Myth of Echo and Narcissus
Relevant topics: The following are some of the themes that could be considered under this working proposal
Vanity
Egocentrism
Superficiality
Working Proposals
Basic reading material: The Legend of Echo and Narcissus
When we speak, are we always truly saying something? What might Echo’s echo symbolize?
Considering the limitation Echo had in communicating, what else might she have done to attract Narcissus?
Who would be the victim — Echo or Narcissus?
When do we resemble Echo? When do we resemble Narcissus?
What do Echo and Narcissus have in common?
What does Narcissus’s reflection in the lake symbolize?
What advantages and disadvantages can looking at ourselves in a mirror have?
Is loving ourselves absolutely counterproductive? Why?
Other Alternatives of a Playful Nature
Imagine that, unexpectedly, Echo recovers the gift of speech. What does she say to Narcissus?
Imagine that Narcissus’s lake becomes murky and he can no longer see his reflection. What does he discover then?
Divide the group into two teams. One team must evaluate the following situation: Echo decides to look into the lake to seek the image that dazzled Narcissus — what would she have seen? The other team: Narcissus decides to reflect on Echo’s apparently meaningless words — what would he have discovered? The groups write down their conclusions, then share them, and together rewrite a new ending for the legend.