![]() In his analysis, Martindale insists that Icarus’ fall is described by Ovid as being the result of unbridled “excitement,” a product of “naivety, not pride” (23). Disregarding his father’s advice, Icarus flies too high, and the heat from the sun melts the wax of his makeshift wings, causing him to fall from the sky and meet an early demise. Ovid tells how Icarus fails to fly on the wings invented by his father, Daedalus (Martindale). One of the longest and most well known accounts of Icarus comes from the Roman poet, Ovid, in his work the Metamorphoses. The story of Icarus finds its origin in Greek mythology and is recounted frequently in Classical literature. Throughout the show, untamed ambition transforms into obsession, degrading personal relationships and, paradoxically, inhibiting professional advancement. In Hamilton, Miranda establishes his theme concerning the dangers of excessive ambition by connecting Alexander Hamilton’s political and personal failures to the story of Icarus. Indeed, the comparison to a figure from Greek mythology reflects a sharp departure from crude insults, but provides a fitting description. Due to his boldness, Hamilton acquires many different names from others he is called “Creole bastard,” “whore’s son,” and, later on, “Icarus.” While the former labels are mostly the result of frustration at Hamilton’s success, the last name is used by his wife to describe his failure. In the opening song, Hamilton takes the stage with an assurance to the audience of his untapped potential. Clear from the beginning of the show is the strength of Hamilton’s inherent motivation. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical, Hamilton, documents illustrious accomplishments from the unexpected source of a bastard and orphan named Alexander Hamilton. In both myths, the sun becomes a metaphor for objects and life events that are just too dangerous for young people to handle.The Fall of Icarus (detail) from the workshop of Bernard Picart, 1731.Ĭultural Reference: “Icarus” (Act 2: 238) And if Icarus had heeded his father's advice, he would have avoided the sun. If Phaeton had listened to dad's words of wisdom, he wouldn't have insisted on driving the dangerous chariot. Like the Daedalus and Icarus myth, Phaeton's story is a lesson in listening to your parents' advice. But finally, Zeus convinces Apollo that he had to destroy Phaeton, because the boy had become a public menace. Apollo is totally devastated by the loss of his son: he even refuses to drive the new chariot that the god Vulcan builds for him. ![]() ![]() The creatures of the earth beg Zeus to do something about this catastrophe, so Zeus throws a lightning bolt at Phaeton, shattering the chariot and burning up the boy. Just like Apollo said, the horses are way too strong for Phaeton, and the boy zigzags all over the earth, terrorizing its inhabitants with the sun's heat. The god lets Phaeton drive the chariot-and surprise, surprise, it's a complete disaster. But the boy insists, and eventually, Apollo caves. Apollo tries to persuade Phaeton against this wish (would a nice big ice cream cone be better?), saying that the horses that draw the chariot are too strong for Phaeton. Immediately, Phaeton asks to drive Apollo's chariot, which contains the sun. Apollo says yes (gasp!), and as a reward for having traveled so far, Apollo offers to grant Phaeton one wish. Phaeton confronts Apollo, dramatically asking him if he really is his father. Determined to prove this fact, Phaeton travels to Apollo's house near the end of the world. Phaeton is a young man living in Ethiopia who believes that his father was the sun god Apollo.
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