Samantha Toledano

In both poems, written by Erasmus Darwin and Anne Sexton, both authors wrote
about the Greek myth, Icarus. Both authors demonstrate a vivid use of: word choice,
imagery, and structure. However, in the poems about Icarus, the authors speak about Commented [1]: Add descriptors
him in a completely distinct tone. Darwin, wrote his poem with a use of older English,
whereas Sexton wrote hers in a much more frequent way. Nonetheless, both authors
portrayed how they felt about Icarus through their use of language.
Darwin tells the story about Icarus in chronological order. He explains what
happened to Icarus from beginning to end in a vivid way. His use of words show that his
viewpoint on the story of Icarus is quite sorrowful. “With melting waxard loosened
strings sunk hapless Icarus on unfaithful wings.” Line 2. Hapless, meaning unfortunate, Formatted: Highlight
shows that Darwin feels pity for Icarus and possibly believed Icarus did not deserve to
die the way he did. “Headlong he rushes through the unfreighted air, with limbs distorted
and disheveled hair.” Lines 3 and 4. Darwin describes the air as frightful meaning that
Icarus’ last moments in air would be frightening. He also refers to his hair as
‘disheveled’(messy), this could be a way of Darwis comparing Icarus’ hair to his death,
messy. The last few stanzas of the poem show how Darwin truly felt about the death of
Icarus. He uses words like: “sorrowing”, “watery grave”, “pearly sea-flowers”, “struck”, Commented [2]: Analyze these
etc. His way of illustrating Icarus’’ grave, his body, and the setting shows that he has a
clear understanding about the story of Icarus. Some of the words he uses are sad,
meaning he feels bad for Icarus.
While Darwin is sad over Icarus’ death, Sexton is the complete opposite. Sexton
writes with excitement while explaining how Icarus flew. She speaks with such
exhilaration and her mood seems to be joyful. “Consider Icarus pasting those sticky Formatted: Highlight
wings on, testing that strange little tu at his shoulder blade, and think of that first
flawless moment over the lawn of labyrinth.” Lines 1-4. Sexton describes Icarus’ take off
as flawless, she is impressed by Icarus’ ability to fly. “Here are the shocked starlings
pumping past and think of innocent Icarus who is doing quite well.” Line 6. Sexton refers
to Icarus as ‘innocent’. This proves that not only is she amused with him, but she also Commented [3]: Clarify
does not see his wrong doings. Icarus was escaping a punishment, and instead of
confronting that, she calls him innocent. “Who cares that he fell back into the sea? See
him acclaiming the sunard come plunging down, while his sensible daddy goes straight
into town.” Lines 12-14. The fact that she said “who cares”, is enough to see that she is
not dissapointed with Icarus’ falling at all, she’s looking past that and paying attention to
the flying he did while he could.
In conclusion, Erasmus Darwin and Anne Sexton’s point of view on Icarus were
abundantly unalike. Darwin is sad, but Sexton is happy, their emotions towards Icarus
could not be anymore different. Both authors have great usage of word choice, imagery
and structure. Without these things, the reader would not be able to tell how the authors
feels. Darwin and Sexton are a good example of how different opinions can still make
an informative and creative poem.