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Myth Close Reading and Explication of Muriel Rukeyser’s “Waiting for Icarus” Sarah Santo, Chris Kampmeyer, Lindsey Hobson The Myth: The whole myth of Icarus is that he and his father, Daedalus, were trapped in a Labyrinth on Crete. To escape, Daedalus made wings with feathers and wax so they could fly away. He had only one warning for his son and that was to not fly to high so the wings wouldn’t melt and to not fly to low so the feathers wouldn’t get wet. Icarus got carried away with the fact he could fly and went to high. The wax melted and Icarus fell into what is now called the Icarian Sea. How it’s said: 1 The first stanza consists of an anaphora of complaints (beginning with “He said”). o Together, the complaints create a cacophonous sound (via words like “cringe, “buckle,” and “wax”). o The first two words – “He said” – is an iambic foot, giving the statement force. § It also gives a sense of rising, in accordance with Icarus’ flight. Thus, one might say Icarus “flew up eleven lines high.” 2 A shift occurs in the second stanza outlines the speaker’s reflections (beginning with “I remember”). o These statements are more reflective and meditative, creating a euphonious sound. o The first two words – “I remember” – consists of two trochaic feet, contributing to the sense of falling. § This coincides with Icarus’ fall from the sky after flying too close to the sun. Thus, one might say Icarus “fell down ten lines,” and the reader can assume Icarus is dead or about to die. o Situational irony is evident through her mother’s denunciation of poets. 3 According to the title, the speaker is waiting for Icarus, who apparently lied when he said he would return. However, according to the myth, Icarus drowned and would never be able to return. What it means: 1. The allusion is to the legend in Greek mythology of Icarus 2. The poem represents the archetypal man in a relationship (Broken promises, baby talk, etc.) 3. The speaker is quite the archetypal pitiful girlfriend - in need of attention ("He said" repetitiveness, loneliness, "the worst of all," brokenness)