Editing Echo (mythology) (section)

===''The Romance of the Rose''===
[[File:The_Spring_of_Narcissus.jpg|thumb|right|An early illustration of the Spring of Narcissus from ''[[Roman de la Rose|The Romance of the Rose]]'']]

''[[Roman de la Rose|The Romance of the Rose]]'' is a medieval French poem, the first section of which was written by [[Guillaume de Lorris]] in around 1230. The poem was completed by [[Jean de Meun]] in around 1275. Part of a much larger narrative, the tale of Echo and Narcissus is relayed when the central figure stumbles across the pool wherein Narcissus first glimpsed his own reflection.<ref name="Guillaume 23">[[Guillaume de Lorris]] and [[Jean de Meun]] (2008). ''The Romance of the Rose''. Oxford University Press. Page 23. {{ISBN|0199540675}}</ref>

In this rendition, Echo is not a nymph, or a princess, but a noble lady. She fell madly in love with Narcissus, so much so that she declared that she would die should he fail to love her in turn. Narcissus refuses, not because he despises all women, but merely because he is haughty and excessively proud of his own beauty.<ref name="Guillaume 23"/>

Guillaume relays that on hearing Narcissus’ rejection, Echo's grief and anger were so great that she died at once. However, in a similar vein to the ''Lay of Narcissus'', just before she dies, Echo calls out to [[Deus]]. She asks that Narcissus might one day be tormented by unrequited love as she had been, and, in so doing, understand how the spurned suffer.<ref name="Guillaume 23"/>

As in the classical myth, Narcissus comes across a pool following a hunt. Though Echo prayed to Deus, and the tale notes that he answered her prayer, it is Amor who waits for Narcissus by the water. Amor causes Narcissus to fall for his own reflection, leading quickly to his death. The tale makes clear that this is not merely justice for Echo, but also punishment for Narcissus’ slight against love itself.<ref name="Guillaume 23"/>

The tale concludes with an exhortation to all men warning them that, should they scorn their lovers, God will repay the offence.<ref>Guillaume, ''The Romance of the Rose'', 24</ref>

Guillaume's rendition builds on the themes of courtly love emphasised in the ''Lay'' and moves further away from Ovid's initial account. The curse of Hera is absent entirely, and the tale is overtly moralised. Unlike in the ''Lay'', however, this moral message is aimed solely at women; this despite the fact that the offending behaviour is perpetrated by Narcissus not Echo.<ref>Harrison, ''The Romance of the Rose'', 328-329</ref>