- In the Greek myth of DAEDALUS AND ICARUS, both father and son showed an inability to follow rules or a tendency to misbehave. During his early life, Daedalus constantly violated many norms set by the society he belongs to. Through his egotistical point of view, rules matter very little. Click to see full answer.
- The Greek myths, “Phaethon” and “Daedalus and Icarus,” both come to tragic ends due to pride. Similar characterization, imagery, and conflict themes are used majorly within the myths by the authors. Phaethon and Icarus are very prideful youths. Their prideful disregard of the warnings from.
DAEDALUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY The character of Daedalus appears in one of the most famous stories of Greek mythology, for it was Daedalus who crafted wings for his son Icarus and himself to escape their imprisonment. Daedalus was a master craftsman, an inventor and architect who had been blessed by the Greek goddess Athena.
Icarus and Daedalus
Icarus and his father Daedalus were imprisoned in the Labyrinth by King Minos, as punishment for the help Daedalus gave Queen Pasiphae and Ariadne, daughter of Minos.
The cunning Daedalus, however, found a way to escape: he made two pairs of wings from feathers and wax, one for himself and one for Icarus.
They used these to fly from their prison, the first flight in history, two thousand years before the Wright Brothers.
Icarus tragic death
Before the flight, Daedalus gave his young son Icarus instructions in how to fly. He warned him that if he flew too close to the sea, the spray would soak the feathers, making the wings useless.
If, on the other hand, he flew too close to the sun, the heat would melt the wax and destroy the wings.Icarus agreed, but he was so thrilled with flying that he got carried away and turned it into a game, ignoring his father’s advice. He climbed high in the sky, so high that the sun melted the wax, the wings fell apart and Icarus fell into the sea and drowned.
When Daedalus realised that his son was not following him as he had asked him to, he began frantically searching for him.
Icarus fell into the sea near Samos and his body was washed ashore on a nearby islet. This was named Icaria in his honour, and the sea around the island was called the Icarian Sea.
Icarus’ lifeless body was recognised by Hercules, who delivered it to Daedalus.
The myth of Icarus - Various interpretations
The didactic character of the myth of Icarus is obvious: the recklessness and thoughtlessness of young men who ignore the advice and experience of their parents, and their elders and betters in general, may have catastrophic effects on their lives.
Daedalus And Icarus Myth Summary
Also, there must be measure in all our lives. Neither too high near the sun, nor too low near the sea, Daedalus counselled, but Icarus paid no heed and his immoderation cost him his life.
Marie Delcourt, on the other hand, holds that flying symbolises the peak of Daedalus’ achievements in gaining such a high level of technical knowledge.
Icarus And Daedalus Mythology
Finally, according to yet another interpretation of the myth, flight could symbolise the great speed of a sailing ship, also considered an invention of Daedalus.
Icarus And Daedalus Mythology
This interpretation is supported by a different version of the myth, in which Daedalus and Icarus escaped from Crete by sailing ship, and Icarus’ ship was wrecked off Samos.
Icarus And Daedalus Greek Mythology
After the loss of his son Icarus, Daedalus managed to reach Sicily