Question

question 12 of 20

click to read \the story of daedalus and icarus\ by ovid. then answer the question.

who or what does brueghel leave out in his interpretation, landscape with the fall of icarus?

a. daedalus
b. other people
c. the sun
d. icarus

Explanation:

Analyze the mythological source and the painting

In Ovid's "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus," both father (Daedalus) and son (Icarus) take flight using wings made of feathers and wax. In Pieter Brueghel the Elder's famous painting, Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, we see a plowman, a shepherd, a fisherman, and a ship, along with Icarus's legs splashing into the sea. However, Daedalus is entirely absent from the scene. This represents a key difference when analyzing Visual vs Verbal Art and how artists adapt classical narratives.

Evaluate the multiple-choice options

Using Ekphrastic Poetry analysis and comparative study of the painting:

• A. Daedalus: Correct. Daedalus is not depicted anywhere in Brueghel's painting, despite being a central figure in Ovid's original myth.
• B. Other people: Incorrect. The painting prominently features other people, such as a plowman, a shepherd, and a fisherman.
• C. The sun: Incorrect. The sun is visible on the horizon in the painting.
• D. Icarus: Incorrect. Icarus is present, though minimized; his legs are visible splashing into the water in the lower right corner.

Answer:

• (A) Daedalus (Correct answer)
• (B) Other people
• (C) The sun
• (D) Icarus