Flying too close to the Sun...

“Daedalus and Icarus”
Level 3 question

Q: Does/Did Icarus’ death affect the outcome of Daedalus’ escape?

A:
While trying to escape from prison with his son, Daedalus looses his son (Icarus) to the depths of the sea when he flies too close to the sun (despite his father’s advisories). I believe this is the turning point of the story because Perdix’s death has now been avenged through his murderer’s greatest loss. “An eye for an eye”; the Greeks had a different way of life, especially for how they dealt with consequences. Connecting this saying to the deaths in this myth, is can be concluded that Daedalus was sure to pay for his crime by having something of equal value taken from him (not including his imprisonment by King Minos).

Icarus’ death not only affected that aspect of the story, but also changed the outcome of Daedalus’ escape. Shortly after his son’s death, he sought refuge with King Cocalus only to be found later by King Minos who had devised a plan to find out Daedalus’ whereabouts. Things may have been different for him if his son had followed his instructions; one can only imagine where the myth would take them if the death of Icarus had not taken place.

In conclusion, Daedalus’ son’s death changed the outcome of the story and because of that, humanity will always be able to learn from the myth of “Daedalus and Icarus”.