Narcissus fell in love with which of the following?

• A. His reflection
• B. His shadow
• C. A flower
• D. A river nymph

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is understanding the Narcissus myth and how the idea of self-love originates. Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection seen in a pool of water, not with a real person. He mistakes the image for someone else and cannot bear to part from it, which leads to his downfall and the later term narcissism describing excessive self-regard.

He does not fall for a shadow, a flower, or a river nymph. The shadow idea is a common mix-up, but the classic tale centers on the water’s reflection. The narcissus flower is named after him, but it isn’t what he loves. A river nymph named Echo loves Narcissus, yet Narcissus loves only the image in the water, not Echo.