DAEDALUS AND ICARUS IN PRISON

1
According to Ovid, Daedalus eventually grew tired
of Crete and decided to return home. Minos, on
the other hand, was determined to keep the
inventor close to him, even if it meant imprisoning
him. Others claim that Minos imprisoned
Daedalus after discovering his role in Pasiphae's
sin, Theseus' escape, or simply to keep the
mysteries of the Labyrinth hidden. Life in prison
was difficult, but at least Daedalus was not alone;
his beloved son Icarus was present. Daedalus, on
the other hand, was desperate to get away from
Crete. 2

So Daedalus did what he did best: he thought

outside the box. His creative fever would produce
an invention that would haunt the western
world's imagination for millennia until humanity
conquered the sky. Daedalus studied bird
movements and created a device that mimicked
them. He then laid down a row of feathers,
shortest to longest, and tied them together with
beeswax and thread.
3

When Daedalus was finished, he put on the wings.

As the father flew in front of his son, Daedalus
and Icarus exchanged stares. He looked at Icarus
and told him how to use his wings and what he
should avoid. The tone of Daedalus' warnings and
instructions was dramatic. He realized this was no
game, but rather a dangerous journey. Then he
took to the skies again, leading the way and
teaching Icarus how to fly properly.

Daedalus and Icarus flew away, leaving Crete in

their wake. They were now safe from Minos'
grasp, but not safe. Icarus became arrogant as
they approached the island of Samos. He had an
uncontrollable desire to fly as close to the sun as