The painting by Pieter Brueghel and the poem by W. H. Auden both depict Icarus' suffering as he falls into the sea while indifferent people are performing daily activities, such as the ploughman farming the land.
However, the written composition does not include a description of the shepherd, who is watching the sheep in Brueghel's painting. The poem also includes people skating, eating, opening a window, walking and waiting - not illustrated in the work of art.