The flight of Icarus - Полет Икара
The phrase the flight of Icarus is a synonym for a
daring but fruitless exploit. It comes from a legend of
ancient Greece. King Minos of Crete had in his service
a skilful workman, architect and sculptor named Daedalus, who built for him a labyrinth. Soon afterward he
lost the royal favour and was thrown into the labyrinth
with his young son Icarus. He made his escape, but
could not leave the island, as the king had all departing vessels watched. He decided to make wings for
himself and his son. He took a quantity of feathers and
secured them w ith wax. When all was ready for the
flight Daedalus warned his son not to fly too low, as the
damp would clog the feathers, nor too high, as the sun
would melt the wax. But Icarus was young and impatient to fly faster and higher than his father would permit. Exulting in his power, he soared upward as if to
reach the heavens. The blazing sun softened the wax
and Icarus was drowned in the sea.
The myth is related by Ovid, an ancient Roman poet,
in his Metamorphoses.
1. Икар — в греческих мифах сын искусного механика, зодчего и скульптора Дедала. 2. Чтобы спастись от критского царя Миноса, Дедал сделал для себя и для сына крылья из птичьих перьев, скрепленных воском. 3. Несмотря на предостережения отца, Икар в полете поднялся слишком высоко и приблизился к солнцу. 4. Солнечные лучи растопили воск, и Икар утонул в море. 5. Отсюда возникло выражение полет Икара, употребляемое в значении: смелые, но тщетные дерзания.