PAN AND NARCISSUS: TOWARDS THE METAMORPHOSIS CASE

Abstract

The article considers the relationship of mythological images of Pan and Narcissus. In the absence of the unified plot combining these figures, one can talk about their mediated communication through the image of the nymph Echo. The image of Narcissus is seen in a broad cultural context, however, the emphasis is laid on the fact that the story of Narcissus can be interpreted as initiation. The symbolic metamorphosis experienced by Narcissus is the mirror image of plots related to Pan and Echo. It is noted that Narcissus as an Apollonian type figure joins the Dionysian self-rejecting during his initiation.