Narcissus and Goldmund

Hermann Hesse's novel Narcissus and Goldmund contrasts two characters: Narcissus, an intellectual ascetic content with established faith, and Goldmund, an artistic sensualist seeking his own salvation. The novel explores the duality of human nature, a recurring theme in Hesse's work, which often focuses on the individual's quest for identity outside societal norms.1

The character Narcissus is inspired by the figure in Greek mythology, known for his exceptional beauty and a tragic fate tied to his own reflection. This mythological Narcissus, in some versions of the story, falls in love with his own image, leading to his demise. The concept of narcissism in psychology refers to excessive self-involvement.2