The poem Landscape and the Fall of Icarus by William Carlos Williams is based off of a painting by the same name. It invokes similar imagery and emotions, while emphasizing the insignificance of Icarus’s death. Although the poem briefly mentions Icarus in the first stanza, he is only acknowledged once more in the final line. The remaining four stanzas focus on describing the setting. Williams speaks of “a farmer… ploughing his field,” and of how “the whole pageantry of the year was tingling awake.” He shows how life was continuing and thriving. In fact, spring is often used as symbol for rebirth and life. Yet, this was supposedly the time of year when Icarus fell. Williams likely made this choice to juxtapose the two extremes. Furthermore,
