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RISK AND REWARD

The ancient Greek myth of Icarus has cautioned us about the risks of hubris, or unchecked pride, for thousands of years. In the myth, the master craftsman Daedalus angers King Minos and is imprisoned, with his son Icarus, within the Labyrinth that he himself built for the king. Too clever to be trapped for long, Daedalus fashions two sets of wings, one for himself and one for his son. Before taking flight, he warns his son not to fly too high and not to fly too low. Overcome with the thrill of flying, however, Icarus flies too high and the heat of the sun melts the wax holding his wings together.

While the myth itself is a cautionary tale warning us not to “fly to close to the sun,” and to keep our ambition in check, the figure of Icarus has become an inspiration of sorts. After all, before his fall, he was flying. He has come to represent the type of boundless optimism and breathtaking bravery that put a man on the moon—and that is responsible for countless dreams that have come true against all odds. The risks of taking flight like Icarus may be high, but so might the rewards.

In this Conversation, you will explore literature and art that is directly inspired by the myth of Icarus, as well as other pieces that consider both the highs and lows of ambition. You’ll look at leaders brought low and empires turned to dust, as well as inspirational people who have dared to do great things.