A Pompeiian Fresco depicting Narcissus
The following snippet is from the piece that I wrote for this month's WEP challenge.
Genre: History, humor, politics
The ancient Greek mythographer Konon's dark, homoerotic version of the myth of Narcissus takes place in the Greek city of Thespeia. In Konon's version, Narcissus scorns even Eros, the god of love himself.
A man named Ameinias falls deeply in love with Narcissus, but Narcissus spurns Ameinias and sends him a sword. Overcome with sorrow, Ameinias asks Eros to avenge him and commits suicide using the sword that Narcissus sent him.
Later, Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He becomes distraught because he is unable to touch the beautiful man that he sees in the pool.
There is still time to enter a work of your own in the challenge. I will provide the link below. Poetry or prose, any genre except for erotica, 1000 words or less.
Please note that the date on the badge is incorrect. Submit your work any day until the 15th of December.
I wasn't planning on doing a Rainbow Snippets share this month (and may not have done a Sunday Snippets or Weekend Writing Warriors either) because I've been so busy. However, I especially wanted to share this version of the Narcissus story with the folks at the Rainbow Snippets hop. I had never heard it before and thought that you might find it as interesting as I did.
Hopefully, you'll enjoy the rest of the essay too. I think it's genuinely informative with a bit of a cheeky surprise ending.
Your Informative Pal, Ornery Owl
Ornery Owl is here to school you.
Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors
hoppin' and boppin'
Love it!
ReplyDeleteOoo, I love this! Along with the paintings you used!
ReplyDeleteDifferent. I enjoyed the change of read.
ReplyDeleteNice twist. Poetic justice served.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't ever heard this version, interesting!
ReplyDeleteI've only ever heard the final piece when it comes to Narcissus. Konon's version is an interesting expansion.
ReplyDelete