Narcissus and Goldmund explores the divergent lives of its two main characters and their pursuit of understanding life's deepest questions. Goldmund’s journey is marked by a stark contrast to Narcissus’ structured and rational existence. Set against the backdrop of medieval times, the narrative delves into themes of spirituality, art, and survival amidst the harsh realities of the era.

An Unlikely Bond

The story unfolds with eighteen-year-old Goldmund arriving at the Mariabronn cloister, where he is immersed in the teachings of arts and sciences. His lively and outgoing nature finds fascination in Narcissus, a perceptive and intellectually sharp teacher. Goldmund reveres both Narcissus and the saintly Abbot Daniel, setting himself on a challenging path of trying to emulate these figures. Narcissus, recognizing his own antithesis in Goldmund, wishes to guide him but restrains himself, wary of the potential gossip about favoritism or impropriety.

A World Beyond the Cloister

Prompted by fellow students, Goldmund sneaks out one night to the village, where he encounters a girl who leaves a lasting impression with a simple kiss. Despite initially dismissing the memory, the kiss stirs something within him that he cannot ignore. Sent to the fields for reflection, he meets another young woman, who introduces him to the complexities of love. With newfound excitement, Goldmund decides to leave the cloister and Narcissus, embarking on a journey to claim his independence and manhood.

The Wanderer's Tale

Goldmund immerses himself in the unpredictable world outside, embracing both its challenges and its freedoms. Preferring to live in the moment, he resists overthinking and instead experiences life as it unfolds. Many women cross his path, offering fleeting romances before returning to their own lives, unwilling to forsake their stability for a life of wandering. While he senses a vague guilt tied to the concept of Original Sin, he experiences no remorse for the affairs themselves, valuing his autonomy despite occasional loneliness.

Encounters with Mortality

During a harsh winter, Goldmund's path intersects with Viktor, a cunning drifter who ultimately tries to kill him. In defending himself, Goldmund takes Viktor’s life, prompting a deeper contemplation of mortality and the transient nature of existence. This brush with death leads Goldmund to ponder whether the fear of mortality fuels artistic creation, as artists strive to leave something enduring behind.

The Artistic Pursuit

Goldmund becomes an apprentice to the esteemed artist, Master Niklaus. He endeavors to capture the essence of his life experiences—both sorrowful and joyous—through his art. Although he aspires to sculpt a universal portrayal of motherhood, his most remarkable work turns out to be a statue of Saint John, inspired by Narcissus. Even as he thrives as an artist, Goldmund remains desirable to women, but resented by men. He places little value in ambition or wealth, seeking instead the ecstasy and beauty life offers, away from the mundane concerns of conventional society.

Trials of Life and Death

The devastation of the Black Death soon approaches, revealing the dual nature of the plague as both horrifying and oddly comforting. Goldmund and his companion, Lene, withdraw to the forest to escape the epidemic, but tragedy strikes again when he kills a man to protect Lene. The domestic life grows wearisome, and after Lene succumbs to the plague, Goldmund is once more free to resume his wandering life.

Confronting Mortality

Goldmund's indiscretion with a nobleman's mistress nearly costs him his life when he is sentenced to death by hanging. Despite his initial acceptance of fate, he clings to the pleasures of the transient world and contemplates drastic measures to evade execution. It is Narcissus, now an abbot, who intervenes, securing a pardon for Goldmund and offering him sanctuary within the monastery once more.

A Full Circle

Returning to the cloister, Goldmund receives a space to pursue his art, yet finds himself feeling hollow after completing a significant project. No longer the youthful charmer, he grapples with aging and inner turmoil. As winter approaches, he leaves only to return, seeking solace. Ultimately, weary and longing for peace, Goldmund accepts death, viewing it as a welcomed embrace akin to love.