Question

Brueghel's painting "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus" and Auden's poem "Musée des Beaux Arts" focus on the same part of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus. However, the painting and the poem are not exactly the same. Explain how the focus of Auden's poem differs from the focus of Brueghel's painting. Then, discuss how this difference affects the meaning of Auden's poem. Be sure to use specific details from the painting and poem to support your ideas.

Answer 1

Brueghel's artwork represents Icarus' fall, as its title suggests. Icarus' legs splash into the sea as his wings fail. No one seems to have seen the back of the canvas representing Icarus' drop. The picture shows how bystanders may not see a disaster. The picture symbolizes pride and desire.

Auden's poem translates Brueghel differently. Auden represents the plowman and sailor as being too preoccupied to deal with Icarus' fall and continue working. Auden implies that they don't consider Icarus' fall "essential." Auden's poem uses details from the picture to show how people neglect others' suffering. Her poem focuses on the witnesses in the artwork who turn away from Icarus during his tragedy.

Auden's poem begins, "About suffering they were never wrong, /The Old Masters," citing the Old Masters' lack of concern for world suffering. The poem suggests that suffering is best expressed in art as a normal experience, not a tragic one. Auden writes, "That even the dreadful death must run its course," implying that tragedy is often overlooked. Breughel's Icarus painting shows that sorrow and tragedy are relative. How quickly does everything recover from disaster? The plowman heard the splash and yell from Icarus, but he didn't care. Or the pricey, delicate ship that saw a youngster fall from the sky but had somewhere to go and sailed on.

Step-by-step explanation:

Once again, the answer above is perfection. I just modified it to fit my level of vocabulary :)

Answer 2

Brueghel's artwork depicts Icarus' fall, as its title suggests. Icarus' legs splash into the sea as his wings fail. No one seems to have seen the back of the canvas depicting Icarus' descent. The picture shows how bystanders may not see a disaster. The picture symbolizes pride and desire.

Auden's poem translates Brueghel differently. Auden depicts the plowman and sailor as being too preoccupied to deal with Icarus' fall and continue working. Auden implies that they don't consider Icarus' fall "essential." Auden's poem uses details from the picture to show how people neglect others' suffering. Her poem focuses on the onlookers in the artwork who turn away from Icarus during his tragedy.

Auden's poem begins, "About suffering they were never wrong, /The Old Masters," citing the Old Masters' indifference to world suffering. The poem suggests that suffering is best expressed in art as a normal experience, not a tragic one. Auden writes, "That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course," implying that tragedy is often overlooked. Breughel's Icarus painting shows that sorrow and tragedy are relative. How quickly everything recovers from calamity? The plowman heard the splash and yell, but he didn't care. Or the pricey, delicate ship that saw a youngster fall from the sky but had somewhere to go and sailed on.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is my take on the story, so feel free to alter it to fit your own perspective.