Final answer:
Aphrodite does not cause Narcissus to fall in love with his reflection in Ovid's story; it is the work of Echo or Nemesis. The myth echos in art, such as Caravaggio's and Dalí's portrayals, both emphasizing transformation and self-obsession. The depiction of Aphrodite, in contrast, showcases divine beauty and sensuality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The myth of Narcissus, as told by Ovid in Metamorphoses, does not attribute Narcissus's fate directly to Aphrodite's actions. Instead, it was the revenge of a slighted nymph, Echo, or in other interpretations, the revenge of Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, at the request of one of the many people Narcissus had spurned. As part of the retribution, Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection and, unable to leave the beauty he sees, he wastes away and dies, eventually turning into a flower.
This tragic story has inspired many artists, including Caravaggio and Salvador Dalí, both of whom depicted Narcissus in their own unique styles. Caravaggio's painting shows a well-dressed adolescent boy mesmerized by his reflection, highlighting the vanity and self-obsession of Narcissus. On the other hand, Dalí's Metamorphosis of Narcissus renders the tale with surrealistic elements, further playing on the themes of transformation and introspection, shown also in the accompanying poem by Dalí.
The theme of beauty and its consequences is also reflected in depictions of Aphrodite, such as in the sculpture Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles. In contrast to Narcissus's story, Aphrodite's representations often exhibit a teasing, confident engagement with the viewer, as well as sensuality and divine beauty, which were highly influential in the history of art.