Daedalus and Icarus

The New Windmill Book of Greek Myths, Geraldine McCaughrean (1992)

Before Reading

1. With a partner, make a list of inventions that you think have done more harm than good. Try to order your list from "Most Harmful" to "Least Harmful".
2. There is a well-known proverb in English: "Pride comes before a fall". What does it mean? Is there any proverb like this in your language?

While Reading

1. Complete this sentence: Minos was a _________ king.
2. Draw and label a sketch of Minos’s palace, including as many as possible of the details mentioned in the story.  For example, you should include the minarets, the maze and the minotaur's lair.

 

3. What was the purpose of the maze?
4. Why did Minos imprison Daedalus?
5. What was unusual about Daedalus and Icarus’s prison?
6. How did Daedalus get the idea for his greatest invention?
7. a) How did Icarus feel as he prepared to take off?
   b) How did he feel a few minutes later?
8. What is the moral of the story?
9. Mention three aspects of the flight that are unrealistic:

• __________________________________________________
• __________________________________________________
• _________________________________________________

Vocabulary

1. Find a word on P.20 that means the same as maze.
2. Find a word on P.20 that means rising high up into the air.
3. Daedalus "held his tongue" (P.20). What does that mean?
4. What does "shuddered" (P.20) mean? (You must be prepared to demonstrate this!)
5. Write your own sentence for each of these words to show that you understand them:

a)droop (P.23)
b)plunge (P.23)

6. Make a Word Web of words that mean SAID. You can find many of these words in the myths we have read so far. For example, in "Daedalus and Icarus" you can find: called, shouted, groaned, whispered. Arrange the words in suitable groups – e.g. quiet words, loud words etc.
7. Make a poem about all the things that Icarus saw, heard and felt as he flew above the island of Crete and out over the sea. Follow this pattern:

• He could see… feel… hear

• He could not see… feel… hear…