Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Daedalus explained
Daedalus, the master craftsman who built the labyrinth for King Minos, is imprisoned with his son Icarus.
What happens
Daedalus, the master craftsman who built the labyrinth for King Minos, is imprisoned with his son Icarus. To escape, he crafts wings from feathers and wax. Despite his warnings, Icarus flies too close to the sun, the wax melts, and he falls into the sea and drowns. Daedalus then reaches Sicily, where he dedicates his wings to Apollo. Later, out of envy for his nephew Perdix's inventive genius, Daedalus attempts to kill him, but Minerva transforms Perdix into a partridge.
Themes in this chapter
Hubris and Divine Retribution
Icarus's hubris in flying too high leads to his death; Daedalus's pride and envy cause him to murder his nephew, resulting in divine punishment through transformation.
Mortality and Immortality
Daedalus's attempt to transcend human limits through flight ends in tragedy, while Perdix gains a form of immortality as a bird.
Characters to notice
- Theseus
Mentioned as the one who escaped the labyrinth built by Daedalus using Ariadne's clue.
- Daedalus
The central figure: master artificer, builder of the labyrinth, inventor of wings, and later murderer of his nephew Perdix.
- Icarus
Daedalus's son who perishes after flying too close to the sun, melting his wax wings.
- Minerva
Goddess who saves Perdix by transforming him into a partridge.
- Perdix
Daedalus's nephew and apprentice, inventor of the saw and compass, transformed into a partridge by Minerva.
Key passages
“Minos may control the land and sea, but not the regions of the air. I will try that way.”
Daedalus declares that while King Minos rules the land and sea, the air remains free, so he will escape by flying.
Daedalus's resolve to escape by an unconventional route.
“Icarus, my son, I charge you to keep at a moderate height, for if you fly too low the damp will clog your wings, and if too high the heat will melt them.”
Daedalus warns Icarus to fly at a safe altitude to avoid moisture or heat damaging his wings.
Daedalus's crucial advice to Icarus before their flight.