Edward Field’s “Icarus” depicts a Greek myth of a father and son imprisoned on an island seeking many ways to escape. Daedalus created wings made from wax for his son Icarus to escape. He warns his son not to fly too close to the sun, but in his excitement Icarus dismissed his father’s warning and soared high into the sky. This resulted in the wings melting and Icarus falling to his death, or so we thought. The poem illustrates Icarus’ life after the accident and emphasizes his tragic downfall, putting a twist on the myth by applying it to an urban society. Icarus’ mundane lifestyle is portrayed through the setting and symbolism.
The setting of the poem exposes Icarus to an modern lifestyle and portrays the struggle of the desire to succeed.