Question

2. 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. (20 points)

Answer 1

In Brueghel's painting, the fall of Icarus is happening in the back; no one is even noticing it. Brueghel's painting shows that how a tragedy may not even be noticed by those who are not directly affected by it.

Auden translates Brueghel's painting a little differently, however. To Auden, the fall of Icarus IS being noticed by the plowman and the sailor; Auden says that they are too busy to deal with the disaster and get on with their work. Auden says that Icarus falling is "not an important failure" to them.

Auden's interpretation of the painting is therefore much more negative than Brueghel's initial work.