Question

Reread the sentence from line 1 of the poem.

What else could the boy have done?

Why does the poet most likely begin the poem this way?

Responses

The poet wants to criticize Icarus.
The poet wants to criticize Icarus.

The poet wants to establish sympathy for Icarus.
The poet wants to establish sympathy for Icarus.

The poet wants to emphasize the idea that Icarus was a young boy.
The poet wants to emphasize the idea that Icarus was a young boy.

The poet wants to suggest that Icarus did not know what he was doing.
The poet wants to suggest that Icarus did not know what he was doing.

Answer 1

What else could the boy have done?
- He could have stayed on the ground/not tried to fly (or been more cautious).

Why does the poet most likely begin the poem this way?
- The poet wants to establish sympathy for Icarus. Beginning by stressing that he was just a boy (and could have simply stayed put) makes his choice and his fall feel more human and tragic.