In The Story of Daedalus and Icarus How does Ariadne’s departure with Theseus propel the action in the myth?
The Story of Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus was a renowned inventor and artist who lived thousands of years ago. Daedalus enjoyed traveling, and he was welcomed warmly wherever he went. In 1325 BC, he set forth on a journey with his young son, Icarus, to the isle of Crete.
“Freedom is crucial,” said Daedalus to his son.
“It is good that we have the freedom to travel.”
When Daedalus and Icarus arrived on the isle of Crete, they were greeted by King Minos. King Minos had heard all about Daedalus and was ecstatic to meet him. He hoped Daedalus could solve the dilemma that plagued Crete: the problem of the Minotaur. The Minotaur was a mighty creature that was half bull and half man. His horns were as long as a person’s arm and he used them to harm his human victims. He was a menace to everyone with whom he came in contact. Not knowing what else to do, King Minos had developed a desperate system for dealing with the Minotaur. His system was to ask King Aegeus, the king of Athens, to send seven young men and seven young women to Crete every year to be offered as sacrifices to the Minotaur.
This outraged the people of Athens, and as time progressed, each citizen grew more anxious about his or her own personal fate. The first task King Minos asked Daedalus and Icarus to perform was to construct a labyrinth, an elaborate system of tunnels, to be built partly underground, under the king’s palace and partly above ground. It was intended to be so difficult to get through that no one would ever be able to find the way out. King Minos believed that this complex web would confine the Minotaur and provide the best chance to do away with the creature permanently.