Icarus

Here is a painting from 1558 called Landscape with the Fall of Icarus.

1. Describe what you see going on in this painting.

2. Who are the characters?

3. What are they doing?4. What is the setting?5. What is the time of

year?6. Can you find Icarus?

Read and Answer

THE MYTH OF DAEDALUS & ICARUS

Cecrops Minotaur

Artisan – artistically creating things Acropolis

Labyrinth

“human tribute” - sacrifice

Daedalus and Icarus Study Questions

1. What materials did Daedalus use to craft his famous wings? If someone gave you wings made out of these materials, would you use them?

2. Why did Daedalus tell Icarus to fly at a middle height? Was he being sensible, or an overly protective parent?

3. Is it better to play it safe or to try to achieve your loftiest, craziest goals? What about this story helps you answer that?

4. After Daedalus and Icarus take off, who sees them from the ground? What would you do if you saw a similar sight in the sky?

5. How does Daedalus react when Icarus dies? Does he have an appropriate reaction for a father losing a son?

6. In your opinion, is there anything Daedalus could have done differently to prevent Icarus' death?

7. From a 2013 perspective what message does this myth still possess today?

This 1935 Canadian airmail stamp depicts Daedalus in flight

Assignment 1

Illustrate the fall of Icarus from a 2013 perspective. – There is to be no unintended white space on the

page.