Reading Notes: Metamorphoses (Books 8-10)
(Image Information: Minotaur in the Labyrinth, Wikipedia)
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Ovid's Metamorphoses Translated By Tony Kline
King Minos's wife gives birth to the Minotaur, a creature
half-man and half-bull. Minos hires Daedalus to build the labyrinth to
imprison the Minotaur in. Daedalus was a genius architect. Only he
could create the Labyrinth, which had paths that could change and created
endless combinations to hold its captives. The maze was as alive as a
river, if not more. Daedalus himself almost could not find the exit as he was
creating it. Minos was trapped in there, fed twice a year with human
sacrifice. Theseus slew him with the help of Princess Ariadne and her
thread. Daedalus, a prisoner on the island of Crete, came up with an
escape plan. He built wings for himself and his son, Icarus. The wings were
fragile creations weakened even more by the careless fingers of the child. They
flew off and Icarus got too excited. Daedalus warned him not to fly too high or
low, as the heat from the sun would melt the wax on his wings, and the moisture
from the sea would soften the feathers. Yet Icarus paid him no heed, flew too high
to the sun, and consequently fell to his death. Daedalus was never the same
after his death.
Daedalus was a madman, a genius without a moral compass. He
created the labyrinth knowing its dangers. He endangered his son. He was
smart but not thoughtful enough. Or he just didn't care.
The labyrinth was alive, ever-changing, aware. Over the
years it devoured many people as its prey. It has a malevolent feeling to it.
Perhaps feeding off the bitterness of its creator.
How are the labyrinth and Daedalus connected?
How strong is their bond?
What happened to Daedalus and the labyrinth throughout the
years?
How did Daedalus change after his son died?/How did Icarus's
death bring out Daedalus's worst attributes?
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