Paired Texts > The Myth of Daedalus and Icarus

by Ovid 8 A.D.

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Reef
The Reef
Samuel Scoville, Jr.

In this short story by American writer Samuel Scoville, Jr., a young Caribbean boy accompanied by his grandfather goes sponge diving in the reef where a tiger shark killed his father—and where he faces dangers of his own.

Pair “The Myth of Daedalus and Icarus” with “The Reef” and ask students to compare the texts. Do they share any similarities, such as archetypes or themes/messages? What is the relationship between the older man and younger boy—does the younger listen to his elder and what are the results?

9th Grade Short Story 1300L
Echo and Narcissus
Echo and Narcissus
Ovid, translated by Brookes More

Ovid writes of a sadder version of love in his tale "Echo and Narcissus" which describes two cases of unrequited love. Echo, a mountain nymph , falls in love with a beautiful young man, but he has eyes only for himself. For both characters, Ovid shows how love can persist, even in unrealistic circumstances.

Pair “The Myth of Echo and Narcissus” with “The Myth of Daedalus and Icarus” and ask students to compare the myths. What were these myths used to teach ancient peoples and what can we learn from them today?

10th Grade Myth 1140L
On Tragedy
On Tragedy
Aristotle

In this excerpt from Poetics, Aristotle offers a definition of tragedy, as well as several examples and non-examples of the genre.

Pair “From Poetics: Aristotle on Tragedy” with “The Myth of Daedalus and Icarus” for students to develop a better understanding of tragedy, especially as classical thinking conceived of it.

9th Grade Philosophy 1070L
If
If
Rudyard Kipling

In "If," the speaker sets out a list of rules by which he thinks his son should live.

Pair “If” with “The Myth of Daedalus and Icarus” and ask students to discuss the messages of each piece. What behaviors does the father expect of his son?

8th Grade Poem
Orpheus and Eurydice
Orpheus and Eurydice
Ovid, translated by Brookes More

In the classic myth "Orpheus and Eurydice," Ovid tells the story of Orpheus's journey to the underworld to bring Eurydice back to earth after her premature death.

Pair “Orpheus and Eurydice” with “The Myth of Daedalus and Icarus” and ask students to discuss the similar themes in each text. What causes the tragic loss of life in these two texts? Is one more tragic than the other? Why or why not? Students should use evidence from each text to support their answers.

9th Grade Myth 1200L