Name __________
“Daedalus and Icarus”
The story of Icarus and Daedalus has been revisited in many forms throughout the
centuries. The Greeks tell the story in Apollodorus’ Bibliotheca. The Roman version appears in
Ovid’s Metamorphoses. More recent tellings of the story include artistic interpretations and poetic
explorations of the myth’s themes. In some versions of the myth, Daedalus and his son are
imprisoned inside the labyrinth of the dead Minotaur on the island of Crete. Surrounding the
labyrinth are King Minos’ many guards. In the version adapted by Josephine Preston Peabody, the
father and son are imprisoned in a tall tower on a seemingly deserted island. The focus of the story
is not on the imprisonment, but on the escape. To view other artistic interpretations of this myth,
visit the pages linked below.
1. Read one of the below poems. Then in a paragraph interpret the poem.
● “Failing and Flying” poem
● “Icarus”
2. Interpret both of the two paintings below. What perspective is the artist trying to show? What is
the focal point? What is not in focus?
● Bruegel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus
● Saraceni’s The Fall of Icarus
Essential Questions for “Icarus and Daedalus”
3. What is Icarus’ tragic flaw?
4. What is the symbolic meaning of “flying too high”?
5. What is the lesson of the myth?
6. What role does Daedalus play in Icarus’ tragedy? Does he bear any responsibility for Icarus’ fate?