Alludes To The Greek Myth In Icarus By Edward Field
Throughout the poem “Icarus” the author, Edward Field alludes to the greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus. Field uses this myth to describe a contemporary society in which similar circumstances are present. Both Icarus and the subject of the poem “drowned” yet Icarus was a hero while the modern man returned to a suburban prison. Field utilizes literary devices such as jarring diction, imagery, and compare and contrast to adapt the Icarus myth to a darkly contemporary setting. Field paints imagery throughout the poem in order to lunge the Icarus myth into a darkly contemporary setting. For example, “ Never dreaming that the gray, respectable suit concealed arms that had controlled huge wings.” This image establishes the dull aspects of modern
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For example, “ Nor that those sad, defeated eyes had once compelled the sun,” shows the effects of the fall in present times. The word “compelled” is used in a positive tone to show the enchanting desires between Icarus and the sun. Post fall, Icarus in a contemporary setting must deal with this failure. This is where the “sad,defeated eyes” comes into play. Icarus in a contemporary setting is constantly defeated by his downfall and shows it on his face. Similarly the phrase, “aging ina suburb: (18) places the Icarus myth in a contemporary setting. Suburban life is a modern lifestyle that was not present in Icarus’ time. The expression “aging in a suburb” illustrates Icarus’ modern struggle to overcome his failure. The term “aging” in specific shows the longing to finish life as he decays in a modern prison. This ties into the end in line 30, “ And wishes he had drowned.” Field’s selection of the word “wishes” contributes to the overall meaning of how dark modern life is. The contemporary Icarus’ intense personal battle had led him to wish he had died from his fall rather than survive. Field’s careful selection of words contributes to a jarring diction familiarizes the Icarus myth to a contemporary setting. In conclusion, Field’s use of literary devices adapts the Icarus myth to a contemporary setting. The application of imagery, compare and contrast, and jarring diction all work
For example, “ Nor that those sad, defeated eyes had once compelled the sun,” shows the effects of the fall in present times. The word “compelled” is used in a positive tone to show the enchanting desires between Icarus and the sun. Post fall, Icarus in a contemporary setting must deal with this failure. This is where the “sad,defeated eyes” comes into play. Icarus in a contemporary setting is constantly defeated by his downfall and shows it on his face. Similarly the phrase, “aging ina suburb: (18) places the Icarus myth in a contemporary setting. Suburban life is a modern lifestyle that was not present in Icarus’ time. The expression “aging in a suburb” illustrates Icarus’ modern struggle to overcome his failure. The term “aging” in specific shows the longing to finish life as he decays in a modern prison. This ties into the end in line 30, “ And wishes he had drowned.” Field’s selection of the word “wishes” contributes to the overall meaning of how dark modern life is. The contemporary Icarus’ intense personal battle had led him to wish he had died from his fall rather than survive. Field’s careful selection of words contributes to a jarring diction familiarizes the Icarus myth to a contemporary setting. In conclusion, Field’s use of literary devices adapts the Icarus myth to a contemporary setting. The application of imagery, compare and contrast, and jarring diction all work