Mythology & Folklore

Echo & Narcissus The story was added to my project porfolio website. Echo & Narcissus,  by John William Waterhouse Echo was the most beautiful Nymph in all of the world, but there was something even more special about her. She had a magnificent singing voice, and she also was a great orator. People from all over the world came to hear her speeches and divine singing. Even the Gods admired her beauty. Among the celestial beings, there were Goddesses with such beauty, but none could match her angelic voice. Jealousy arose among Goddesses, and none was more jealous than Juno. Juno was worried that Jupiter would wrong her again, and this time, with beautiful Echo. She devised a plan to get Echo to marry, but Echo rejected all of the suitors presented to her. Echo repeated time after time, "There is no one as beautiful as me, and no one worthy of my marriage." Juno, getting desperate, for Echo certainly had the attention of Mighty Jupiter, commanded Vulcan t...

Story: Echo & Narcissus Source: Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4) Echo & Narcissus, by John William Waterhouse Plot Summary Echo saw Narcissus in the forest and like everyone, she fell in love with him. She would not talk to him because she was cursed by Juno. Echos voice could not be silent when others speak, and she could not talk be she would repeat the last thing someone said. She declares her love for him but she's rejected. She gets super sad and her body vanishes, but the sound of her voice continues on. Apparently, Narcissus was arrogant rejections manage to anger some people. Nemesis heard a request for him to fall in love, but be rejected by the one who he loves, and she granted this request. But, who could not love Narcissus with its beauty? As he went to the lake to drink, he fell in love with his reflection on the lake. He withered away looking at his reflection on the lake, and he turned into a flower. My thoughts I was familiar with ...

Story: Phaethon's Ride Source: Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4) Painting by Gustave Moreau Plot Summary Knowing he was the son of Phoebus Apollo, the Sun God, Phaethon's went to the palace of the sun to meet his father. In the palace, he found his father, who embraced him, and swore by Stygian waters that he would grant him any favor. Phoebus asked to command the chariot of the sun for the day.  After much hesitation and warning, the Sun God fulfilled his son's wishes because he could not back out of the promise. Once in the air, Phaethon could not control the chariot's horses. He let go of the reins, and the Sun lost its course. The chariot got too close to the earth which erupted into flames. The earth was scorched. Mighty Jupiter, after seeing all of the commotions, hurled a thunder to the chariot and killed Phaethon.  My thoughts: I actually found the story to be quite sad. I think that Phaethon died not because of negligence or malice, bu...