Originally posted by Ikarus Courage and ambition are traits the character stands for, unfortunately unmitigated by the wisdom that comes with age. Myself, I am beyond the point of being mistaken for a hot-headed youngster, so I'm pretty confident I won't get too close to the sun.
With all due respect, I must comment. Icarus is the metaphor for the Folly of Youth. Courage takes forethought, because one must weigh the consequences of ones actions, consider the risks, then decide if action is warranted. Icarus does not do this, & is overtaken by impulsiveness, acts without thinking, even goes against all his dad's warnings: courage demands consciousness. All the ambition in this myth goes to Daedalus, his loving dad. The myth of Helios and his son Phaethon express a similar, tragic aspect to youth. It is no accident that boys (males) are chosen to embody the essence of this sort of tragedy.
It is worth adding that the term "Greek Mythology" is a misnomer. These stories originally evolved from the Greek religious imagination and were very bit as religious for the Greeks as our religious tales are for us: one must put oneself in another's shoes if one is to even begin to fathom otherness.