Narcissus, the novel's other title character, is a pious and scholarly monk who seems virtually born to the life of the cloister. At the story's outset, when he is a novice, he already is teaching and appears to be aware that his destiny is to be a monk and perhaps even an abbot. He says as much to Abbot Daniel, who seems to take this prediction with a grain of salt, but Narcissus declares he has an ability to divine people's nature and thereby intuit something of their future, which turns out to be true. His other gift is exceptionally high intelligence, which he uses to develop a complex philosophical view of life that contrasts sharply with the sensuous nature of Goldmund. Narcissus is the first recognize that Goldmund is meant for a life outside the cloister and encourage him to go into the wider world. He also realizes that Goldmund has pushed memories of his mother away from his consciousness and that he must recall them, which is a process that transforms Goldmund. Through an act of will, the ascetic and highly disciplined Narcissus keeps his friendship with Goldmund at arm's length, the better to avoid worldly contacts while pursuing his own spiritual destiny. This decision proves to be problematic for Narcissus, who hears about the wanderings and misadventures of his friend with a mixture of concern and wonderment. Narcissus remains at all times true to his vows, yet Goldmund's experiences prompts the monk to question how much he might have lost of richness in his life by honoring God through renunciation of the wider world.
