W. H. Auden wrote “Musee de Beaux Arts”, a poem about human suffering. The speaker is observing the painting. Auden makes use of this work to demonstrate how egocentric many people are about the world. Renaissance painter, Bruegel, painted the painting “Landscape with the Fall of the Icarus”. It depicted the main theme of the ignorance of the world. Icarus is portrayed in the painting “Landscape with the Fall of the Icarus”, which was created by Bruegel. W. H. Auden’s poem “Musee des Beaux Arts”, explains why Icarus was not saved. Ovid’s myth demonstrates how Icarus’ inept and ambitious character led to his demise.
Peter Bruegel’s “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” painting depicts a scenario about Daedalus or Icarus. His painting depicts the scene in which Icarus plunged into the ocean. Bruegel portrayed rural folk in real-life settings. Many his works feature peasants celebrating harvest and farmers going to the market. His simple painting holds deeper meanings. The painting was presented in a different manner than the Greek myth. Many people continue their daily activities in this painting. Although everything is perfect, he did show Icarus drowning in a sea. There are two possible interpretations of the painting. One interpretation is that Icarus drowned because of the people’s success and happiness. Another explanation is that people became so involved in their own lives that they chose not to help others. This is similar to how Icarus was not saved by the people depicted in the painting. You can also add that people are blinded to the problems of others. The painting shows how the people didn’t face Icarus. They were merely continuing to live their lives. Although the man at the bottom left corner was gazing at the water, he did not attempt to save Icarus. Overall, the painting portrays that humans are provincial and cannot see the people in need of help.
W. H. Auden wrote “Musee des Beaux Arts”, a poem about paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts. It covered many themes. It dealt with society’s differences as well as human sufferings. Auden later identifies the Peter Bruegel-painted “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus”, and explains how the people in Bruegel’s picture did not save Icarus. This writer was referring to a few instances when pain is overlooked and dismissed. It was as if enduring pain had become a normal and consistent part of one’s life. It also describes how people eat, drink, and continue living their lives. People are still indifferent to other’s tragedies like death. The author suggests that people live a normal life by carrying around constant weight. The author suggested that people should not be burdened with their own pain and struggle. Auden says that society is lacking empathy and is becoming more self-centered and impassive. Today, while sufferings, pains, and tragedies are part of human life, they must not be the end of one’s life. The quote “Children who didn’t want it to happen” illustrates this theme. The quote explained that the oldest child would envy a younger child born because they require more attention and time. It continued to state that life would continue regardless of all the unfortunate events. It was written, “Where do the dogs go on with their canine lives,” which shows how people must continue to move forward even if things are not going according to plan.
The poem’s purpose was enhanced by the analysis of the Bruegel painting. The analysis of the Bruegel’s painting also gave a reason why Icarus did not survive. Auden mentioned how the “plowman” may have heard Icarus’ cry of forsaken, but it was not a significant failure. He explained how the man could’ve heard Icarus’ cry, but chose not rescue him. He felt that those problems were worse than Icarus drowning and therefore, the ploughman did not pay attention to him. People are often too careless to place their problems before others’ lives and deaths. This is evident in the exaggerated way Auden described it. Auden concluded his poem by stating that life must continue. Auden said that the expensive, delicate ship had somewhere to go and continued to sail calmly. He was exaggerating how objects move on with their jobs. His portrayal showed that he understood the fact that people can experience pain but that their everyday lives are not interrupted.
Ovid’s Ovid myth about Daedalus/Icarus began in Athens. Daedalus, a great painter and stone carver, was also a brilliant thinker from Athens. He used wax wings to escape from Crete. Daedalus built one for himself as well as one for his young son. Daedalus recommended that Icarus stay near the sea and not go to the ocean. Icarus, however, refused to follow his father’s advice. Daedalus told him to go higher, but he was enchanted by the glory and light of the sun. Icarus was not able to be held up by the broken wings and wax. He fell from heaven to the ocean and plummeted towards death. Daedalus was saddened at the loss of his son, regardless Icarus’ refusal to obey. Icarus’ “beaming eyes kept on capturing feathers which are moving in the air, and with his thumb softening the yellow wax. He kept interrupting his father’s brilliant work with his play. This shows Icarus as a child who was overly eager to please his father, and shows his smile. Daedalus tried to offer a way of escape for his son and himself, but Icarus chose to stop it. Icarus’ eagerness is described as being “attracted to the sky by a desire to the sky he chose his path higher.” He was enthralled by the idea of flying and became overconfident in his ability to do so. Icarus was too ambitious and he ended up losing his father. Icarus’ ambitions made it possible for Daedalus to become a father but not a father. Icarus’s death was an example of young carelessness and the consequences that can lead to tragic events.
Icarus’ death in “Landscape with the Fall of the Icarus”, a poem by W. H. Auden, was a result of ignorance of society. W. H. Auden’s poem “Musee des Beaux Arts” was used to explain why no one saved Icarus. Ovid’s myth concerning Daedalus & Icarus illustrates how Icarus’s over-ambitious and ignorant nature led to his fall. Icarus ignored Daedalus’ advice, which is indicative of Icarus’ ignorance. The painting showed how Icarus was neglected by others, which demonstrated social ignorance. Auden’s poem provided multiple reasons why Icarus couldn’t be saved.
Although the themes of ignorance are similar in myth and paintings, there is one major difference: the painting depicts ignorance. Ovid’s myth depicted a childlike, immature ignorance. The painting showed an adult-like, realistic ignorance. The purpose of the myth is changed by the painting, which shifts the focus from Icarus to world ignorance. People forget that Icarus was an ambitious man who ignored his father’s advice. Icarus became socially isolated and suffered over time. This ignorance can be interpreted as natural human behavior.
