Talk:Icarus (mythology)

Old talk

Am I correct to assume that the text on this page is an almost literal translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses? I am asking this out of couriosity only, really. --Kasperl 12:58, 19 Jun 2004 (UTC)

No, it's genteel parlor mythology for a cultivated American audience, exactly as told by Thomas Bulfinch in his Age of Fable, 1855. You can't get to modern mythology from here! Wetman 09:08, 21 Sep 2004 (UTC).

Well, its certainly a somewhat faithful reproduction of Ovid's version. You could perhaps call it a dumbed down version, although that might offend those patrons of the genteel parlours. (I added links to the latin text as well as to a translation.)

-ianulus

This is unrelated, but since there are other song references at the bottom of the page, it might be prudent to add the Kansas song "Icarus (Borne on Wings of Steel)". It definitely relates to the myth.

Cultural references

I suggest to retain only cultural references that have a significant reference to the myth. It would be ridiculous if every wikipedia article, say, God, angel, mob,etc., would list all movies where someone uttered "Oh, Gosh!" or "You are my angel", etc. `'mikka (t) 20:46, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

One effective solution is an article Icarus in popular culture containing all present text moved unedited and a brief note of the general phenomenon and link retained here. --Wetman 00:18, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

This could be a good idea. After all, we have the category:Lists of songs with articles such as List of songs containing the name of a ship, aircraft or spacecraft and yes (!), List of songs which refer to Jesus. `'mikka (t) 16:57, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

First Paragraph

There is this sentence, which is presented as a quote, "and then handling the wax and working it over with his fingers, by his play impeding his father in his labors." Is the "by his play" supposed to be "but his play?" I don't know the original text and the sentence confuses me.

Alternate interpretations: a personal essay

An alternate view is that Icarus was faced with a choice between testing his limits and soaring (however briefly) amongst the heavens or spending the rest of his mortal life on earth, wondering what it would have been like at the top. Icarus accepted the risk in trying to reach the heavens and paid the price for failing, but some contend he was more content after spending limited time where no human had been before. This text, which I've temporarily moved here, will be encyclopedic when it has been re-edited as a report of someone's reinterpretation. Direct quotes always help. --Wetman 06:18, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

Led Zepplin

Led Zep used an image of appolo, not icarus even though it's a common misconception. It was based on a 1869 painting by William Rimmer depicting appolo. Should I change it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 124.191.253.18 (talk) 09:42, 30 January 2007 (UTC).

• Now the Bulfinch text and the Anne Sexton text have both been jimmied with. --Wetman 02:50, 9 March 2007 (UTC)