Nemesis (Q1)

Nemesis was the Greek goddess of retribution and justice. In some myths, she is seen as the daughter of Nyx and Erebus, but is also seen as just Nyx’s daughter.

The goddess is mainly known for being involved in the myth of Narcissus and Echo. Narcissus was a hunter. He was the son of the sea nymph, Thespiae. She was told of prophesy that her son would be able to live until an old age I he “does not know himself.”  She interpreted this in a literal way and tried to prevent him from looking at his reflection, to attempt to save his life. As he grew up, he was very arrogant and took pride in his beauty, even though he wasn’t able to look at his reflection. 

Echo was a sea nymph that was helping other sea nymphs escape after being with Zeus. She would talk to Zeus’s extremely jealous wife to prevent her from seeing the other sea nymphs escape from her wrath. Hera eventually figured out was Echo was doing, and was set on inflicting her revenge. She prevented Echo from speaking, only able to repeat words that were already said by someone else. 

Echo was in the woods, hiding from Hera just in case she inflicted any other sort of revenge on her, when she saw Narcissus hunting. Echo fell in love with the hunter. He heard Echo and questioned if someone was there. When Echo came out from hiding, Narcissus said that he would rather die than be with her, breaking her heart.

She then went into a cave and cried. She believed to cry until there was nothing left except for her voice and bones remained. This is where the term echo comes from. It is believed to be the sea nymph’s voice repeating everything that is said.

Nemesis, being the goddess of retribution, avenged Echo. She made Narcissus come across a pond and see himself. He ended up falling in love with himself, and unable to leave his reflection, eventually died there.