Subversion of my name

Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!

• john proctor act IV, the crucible

In the surveillance state anonymity is king. Where John Proctor quarrels about having is identity taken from him. I’m forced to have to be anonymous. When anything and everything will be gathered and measured for the sake of capital, then it’s not a choice—- its coercion for the privacy and freedom we are deserve. My name is icarus stems from a joy of mythology [mythology].
Icarus flew to close to the sun and a one who frequently pushes the boundaries of what i’m capable of, i find it to be a facetious name to take on. In reality, i’m aware that i’m ever changing and evolving. That a name tied to a particular hubris isn’t (consciously) conducive for growth, rather stagnating on an archetype is antithetical for growth. [stagnation means using micro labels of yourself].

But he’s not only mythological character i find to be relatable or in part— idolize characteristics of. Here are two more.

prometheus In the Western classical tradition, Prometheus became a figure who represented human striving (particularly the quest for scientific knowledge) and the risk of overreaching or unintended consequences. In particular, he was regarded in the Romantic era as embodying the lone genius whose efforts to improve human existence could also result in tragedy.

odysseus Odysseus is a combination of the self-made, self-assured man and the embodiment of the standards and mores of his culture. He is favored by the gods and respected and admired by the mortals. Even the wrath of Poseidon does not keep him from his homecoming. He is confident that he represents virtue even when a modern audience might not be so sure. He is also a living series of contradictions, a much more complicated character than we would expect to find in the stereotypical epic hero.

Odysseus, in The Odyssey, is much more complicated. He lives by his wiles as well as his courage. He is an intellectual. Often he openly evaluates a situation, demonstrating the logic he employs in making his choices. When it proves effective, Odysseus lies (even to his own family), cheats, or steals in ways that we would not expect in an epic hero. Although he is self-disciplined (refusing to eat the lotus), his curiosity is sometimes the root of his trouble (as with the Cyclops).

He is willing to pay a price for knowledge; for example, he insists on hearing the Sirens’ call, even though to do so, he must have himself excruciatingly strapped to the mast of his ship so that he cannot give in to the temptation. Odysseus can be merciful, as when he spares the bard Phemius, or brutal, as he seems when dealing with the dozen disloyal maidservants. He creates his own code of conduct through his adventures. He is deeper than Achilles, more contemplative, but still capable of explosive violence; he is almost certainly more interesting.