Myth
What type of story is The Flight of Icarus?
Myth
What is a theme?
A message about life or human nature.
Who are the main characters?
Daedalus & Icarus
Which vocabulary word means “kept within a certain limit”?
Moderate
What does Icarus want when he begins flying?
He wants to experience the freedom and excitement of flying while escaping with his father.
Name one characteristic of a myth.
Ancient setting, special abilities/gods, impossible events, or a cultural lesson.
What does it mean if a theme is universal?
It can apply to anyone.
How do the main characters solve the main conflict of the story?
They build wings to fly away from the island.
Which vocabulary word means “strength and courage”?
Prowess
What decision causes Icarus's situation to become dangerous?
He decides to fly higher than his father instructed.
Why is The Flight of Icarus considered a myth?
(All three characteristics)
It takes place in ancient times, includes impossible events, and teaches a lesson.
What lesson can readers learn from Icarus's actions?
Ignoring warnings or going beyond reasonable limits can lead to consequences.
What materials does Daedalus and Icarus use to create the wings?
Wax and feathers
If someone is moving quickly because they are extremely nervous, which vocabulary word describes their behavior?
Frantic
Which is more important in determining the theme: what Icarus wanted or what Icarus did? Explain.
What he did. His actions and their consequences help the reader infer the story's message.
What is one impossible event that happens in the story?
Daedalus and Icarus fly using wings made from feathers and wax.
When finding a myth's theme, what should you examine: the characters' actions or the title?
The characters actions.
Daedalus successfully escapes, but his victory is not truly happy. Why?
He reaches safety, but Icarus falls and dies, so Daedalus's success comes with great sadness.
Which vocabulary word best describes the feeling Daedalus might experience when he realizes Icarus is in danger?
Anxiety
Daedalus tells Icarus to fly at a moderate height. What deeper life lesson does this advice represent?
People should avoid going to extremes and should use self-control by staying within reasonable limits.
What lesson does this myth teach the readers.
Answers may vary.
What does it mean when Icarus threw caution to the wind?
He was reckless.
Icarus achieves something Daedalus warned him not to do. What does this reveal about Icarus's character?
It shows that he is excited/reckless or does not listen to his father's advice.
In the sentence, "And he mourned for the birdlike son who had thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom from the earth." What does exaltation mean in the sentence?
Delight, happy, or excited.
Daedalus warns Icarus not to fly too high or too low. What does this advice teach us about how people should make decisions in life?
People should find a balance, listen to good advice, and avoid going to extremes.