Labyrinth

Labyrinth

In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth (Greek λαβύρινθος labyrinthos, possibly the building complex at Knossos) was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. Its function was to hold the Minotaur, a mythical creature that was half man and half bull and was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus. Daedalus had made the Labyrinth so cunningly that he himself could barely escape it after he built it. Theseus was aided by Ariadne, who provided him with a skein of thread, literally the "clew", or "clue", so he could find his way out again.

Read more about Labyrinth.

Famous quotes containing the word labyrinth:

    In the labyrinth of a difficult text, we find unmarked forks in the path, detours, blind alleys, loops that deliver us back to our point of entry, and finally the monster who whispers an unintelligible truth in our ears.
    Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

    But here’s a haughtier text,
    The labyrinth of her days
    That her own strangeness perplexed....
    William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)

    And haughtier-headed Burke that proved the State a tree,
    That this unconquerable labyrinth of the birds, century after century,
    Cast but dead leaves to mathematical equality....
    William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)