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Click to read "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus" by Ovid. Then answer the question.

What is one difference between Brueghel's painting and Ovid's story?

Answer :

The main difference between Brueghel's painting and Ovid's story is the focus and portrayal of Icarus's fall, where the painting depicts it as a minor, almost unnoticed event, while Ovid's narrative concentrates on the tragic aspect and human emotion surrounding the incident.

One significant difference between Pieter Brueghel's painting, 'Landscape with the Fall of Icarus', and Ovid's portrayal of the Daedalus and Icarus story is in the emphasis and treatment of Icarus's fall.

In Brueghel's painting, the figure of Icarus is almost hidden and largely unnoticed amongst the details of everyday life, presenting a scene where human tragedy is but a minor event against the backdrop of the world's indifference.

In contrast, Ovid's account in 'Metamorphoses' focuses on the tragedy, with Daedalus as a central figure who commands our compassion and respect after the loss of his son.

One difference between Brueghel's painting and Ovid's story is the focus on the landscape versus the characters.

In Ovid's story, Daedalus and Icarus are fleeing Crete, where they were imprisoned by King Minos. Daedalus, a skilled craftsman, builds wings for himself and his son using feathers and wax. They fly over the sea, but Icarus becomes overconfident and flies too close to the sun, causing his wings to melt and resulting in his fatal fall.

While Ovid's story centers on the tragic fate of Icarus, Brueghel's painting depicts a serene landscape with the fall of Icarus relegated to a minor detail in the background. The painting focuses on the everyday life of the peasants and the beauty of the landscape, rather than the dramatic events of the mythological story.

Complete question

In Ovid's "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus," Daedalus, a brilliant inventor, and his son Icarus are imprisoned by King Minos on the island of Crete. Daedalus crafts wings for them to escape, warning Icarus to fly neither too high nor too low. Icarus, thrilled by the freedom of flight, ignores his father's warnings and soars higher and higher, until the sun melts the wax holding his wings together.

He plummets into the sea and drowns. Daedalus, grief-stricken, continues flying and eventually reaches the island of Sicily, where he finds refuge. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and ignoring wise counsel, as well as the power of ingenuity and determination. Ovid's retelling of the myth explores the complexities of human nature and the consequences of our actions.

What is one difference between Brueghel's painting and Ovid's story?