Deconstructing Narcissus

I've always been a big proponent of the morals and lessons that can be drawn from our society's myths and legends. It's one reason that, despite my uncertain relationship with the church, I've always been an advocate of Sunday School. That and general cultural literacy.

One non-Christian story that really struck me growing up was the tale of Narcissus. So in love with his own image that he couldn't pull himself away from a remarkably calm pond to eat or drink. If that doesn't promise an unfortunate and ironic end to the self-involved, it's hard to see what could.

But then, does it really? What if we exchanged Narcissus staring at his own image in a pond with something else? Whatever strikes you as equivalent. For example: What if he and his dearly beloved starved to death staring at each other across a table full of food? Are the two comparable? Obviously there's a moral to my hypothetical story, but it doesn't involve narcissism. Maybe it's closer to "don't let fanciful longings and emotional attachment separate you completely from the necessities of life?" Or something like that?

So, my question is, does the death of Narcissus really tell us all that much about narcissism? Or is it more some odd, psychological problem that afflicts those who lounge around small bodies of water? If so, does it matter if Narcissus' death wasn't or wouldn't be unique to someone who was narcissistic?

Big thoughts about the world, right? Love, and I'll see you soon.