Icarus: The Flight And Fall - The Meaning Behind The Story (Greek Mythology Explained)

Today we look at one of the most famous stories in Greek Mythology, the flight of Icarus. Hopefully by the end of today we can understand the meanings behind the story and why it continues to resonate with so many people even to this day.

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[bea]

I️ always thought it as a sad tale, not a cautionary tale. Icarus was a young boy who was mesmerized by the sun after being in captivity for so long. He flew too close to the warmth, and fell into the sea. I️ also always thought that it was a reminder that we are but human, and we will never to able to touch the sun-only forever reaching for it.

[Xx_koRnstar_xX]

I just remembered a poem that I read a while back,
I am Icarus
Many people see my death as a tragedy
That is very wrong
In my opinion, they did not tell you when Apollo gave me wings
They did not tell you I knew I would burn in flames
I knew, you see I knew the agony I would face
And as I fell, I knew I did it for the sun
As hot burning wax slithered down my spine, as seductive kisses of agony peppered my skin and muscle
I laughed
I laughed as where I saw beauty others saw pain
I loved it you see, it was addictive
And even Dionysus would marvel at my insanity
There is no beauty without pain
And now as I wait for judgment in the land of Hades
I ask myself, was it worth the fall for the sun?
And I answer yes
Yes it was

[Kameronathan]

It's so nice to see a 'creator on the rise' that doesn't make the same generic uninspired trendy videos everyone else is doing.

[jasmineunique]

What I get from this story is don’t get so high up in life that you get carried away and forget that you aren’t invincible.

[Panteni]

You have overlooked the meaning of flying too close to the sea, and becoming too heavy to fly. I have never heard what the meaning of this was, but after many years of looking into symbolism I have "concocted" why they were warned not to fly too close to the sea.
Water is often seen as the symbol for emotions and the inner workings of humans, and my idea is, that if you fly too low your wings (freedom, movement and power) would be filled with emotional feelings that i associate with depression. And those dark emotions would stop you from flying steadfast (living free).

[auroramartell]

I love this myth, and you tell it very well.

[endermenon]

Icarus grew too overconfident, and ended up flying too close to the sun like a fool.

So, from my understanding, the moral of Icarus' story is "Don't get cocky, or you'll pay for it dearly".

[navegantestelar]

The point you regarding the connection between the story of Icarus and instant gratification was a great one. Never saw it explained through that way. Thank you for the great video.

[fernandadiz.]

I always thought he did it on purpose... He knew that the moment he landed he would've continued to be persecuted until cought, because of his father's choices. He had been imprisoned for so long, he chose to live a full life, if only for a second, instead of a lifetime of a half life

[ripmythos]

Never thought I would see a mythology channel explaining great stories like Icarus. I love reading mythology stories Greek, Norse, Egyptians and many more. Keep up with your great videos.

[sunburstwolfdog]

I like the duality of the sun and the ocean most people seem to gloss over. It's a lession of becoming your own person in youth. Flying too high to the sun represented being too countercultural and falling due to taking too many risks, but flying too low also represented being too mainstream and becoming a sheep to your surroundings, both would Fate the flightful to room in their life. It's not just about youthful vigor, but about finding a balance.

[shuamaral]

When I was young, all I wondered was why didn't they fly during the night? The wings wouldn't melt and they would never be seen. The king would always think they were in the maze, so he'd never go after them and they wouldn't have to hide

[verasweeney]

I was just talking about this with my daughter. Hamilton references him in the play and after we saw it - she wanted to know more about the story.

[sesshomaru]

Now the crowd breaks and a young boy appears
Looks the old man in the eye
As he spreads his wings and shouts at the crowd
"In the name of God my father, I fly!"
His eyes seem so glazed
As he flies on the wings of a dream

Now he knows his father betrayed
Now his wings turn to ashes to ashes his grave

Fly on your way like an eagle
Fly as high as the sun
On your way, like an eagle
Fly, touch the sun

[sleepyheadses]

I always saw it as "Pride cometh before the fall". Awesome video, love the art used!

[xntertwined]

“You’ve married an icarus, he was flown too close to the sun” BEST HAMILTON LYRICS! XD

[GSlice]

I would say it also says alot about the sins of the father being faced by he son. Daedalus was known for his hubris and can you imagine the biting agony the gods imposed, Icarus was only locked away because of him, the boy finally tasted sweet freedom and was punished for it

[iiAzTCii]

The one time Youtube recommendations actually recommended me something interesting.

[ahmadrizk]

The way you tell the tale, the great choice of background music and the morals that we take from it, you've earned my subscription son thank you

[charlotteweyrauch]

I love the myth of Icarus.
In my opinion the story can be seen as beautiful and inspiring rather than tragic .
We can do everything, even the impossible such as flying but we have to give it time, slowly grow with our ideas and dreams, not take everything at ones. But we still can do everything that we dream of...