Poem Analysis: Icarus By Edward Field

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"Icarus", written by Edward Field, is based on the classic myth of Daedalus and Icarus but portrays it in a contemporary setting. Field uses specific details, structure, and diction to help him adapt this mythical tale of tragedy to a modern story relevant to today's society.

Although much of the plot and the characters stay the same, the detail used by Field allows the reader to experience the modern adaption of the myth. Reference's to, "Police", "gangs", and "commuter trains" show the reader the setting of the poem as those things were non-existent at the time the Icarus myth is told in. The fact that Icarus "rents" a house and "tends" to his garden gives Icarus a more personal feel which drags him down from the position of fallen hero.v

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