As most all readers and writers know there are many benefits of literature. One benefit that specifically affects the reading population as a whole is the capability of different readers to interpret different stories in numerous different ways. Here the myth, "Daedalus" by Thomas Bulfinch is interpreted under many different lights by several different people. One interpretation that I found to be the most interesting was the poem, "Waiting for Icarus" interpreted by Muriel Rukeyser. Not only is this poem told from the point of view of a woman but it also questions certain themes such as adolescence and responsibility, which are also questioned in the original myth of "Daedalus".
             I chose the poem, "Waiting for Icarus" interpreted by Muriel Rukeyser because as I previously said it was the only poem written from the point of view of a woman. The second reason, and probably the more intellectual reason I chose this poem was because I found many themes that both contradicted and complimented the original myth. In the poem the woman seems to be saying her and Icarus are romantically involved, they have spent much time together, and may possibly be married in the near future. This holds such great relevance because the readers main question in the myth is either how did the father expose his son to such danger? Or why hadn't Icarus obeyed his father? Now that the age of Icarus is analyzed and being questioned from an ulterior point of view it makes the reader believe Icarus might have been fully aware of his actions.
             I feel that because the poem is so different from the original myth in this interpretation there is more than one relevant theme in both readings. In the myth adolescence and responsibility are both two prevalent themes. These two themes are also streamlined throughout the poem and that is why I think these two readings compare and contrast so well. Adolescence is popular becaus...