Final answer:
Coelho's version of Narcissus in the prologue of The Alchemist differs from Ovid's original by focusing on an internal and psychological transformation rather than the physical metamorphosis into a flower, reflecting deeper themes of self-absorption and human nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The version of the story of Narcissus mentioned in the prologue of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist differs from the original myth as recounted by Ovid. In Coelho's rendition, Narcissus becomes so engrossed in his own reflection that he transforms invisibly, with the narrative focusing on the reflective nature of self-absorption and the artist's interpretation. This concept has parallels with Salvador Dalí's painting Metamorphosis of Narcissus and his accompanying poem which suggest a transformation that goes beyond the literal into the symbolic or psychological. In contrast to Ovid, where Narcissus turns into a flower (echoing physical death and rebirth), Dalí references a narcissistic metamorphosis that engages more with the internal and existential dimensions. As the alchemist in Coelho's prologue discovers, the story's deeper meaning comments on human nature and introspection rather than adhering strictly to the original myth's external transformations.