In Greek Mythology, the Sirens are three female creatures of sea. They were thought to sing such beautiful songs that sailors would crash into rocks or stay on their island until they died. Achelous, the Greek god of the river, is their father. Although commonly depicted as beautiful women, some stories have described them as monsters with bird-like bodies and human heads ("Sirens" UXL). The three sisters lived on their own island, Anthemoessa, which was said to be covered with the skeletons of their victims ("Sirens"). Greek mythology uses the Sirens to warn sailors of how dangerous oceans can be. In a broader sense, these creatures also show what happens when humans give in to the temptations of beauty ("Sirens" UXL).
The Sirens make an appearance in the Odyssey. While on his voyage home, Odysseus and his men traveled by the Sirens. Having been warned about their powers by Circe, the Greek goddess of magic, Odysseus ordered his men to put beeswax in their ears ("Odyssey"). Still wanting to hear such beautiful songs himself, he had his crew tie him to the mast. Even though hearing the music made him beg to be released to join them, Odysseus and his ship safely sailed past the Sirens ("Sirens"). Because men were able to resist their enchanting music, the Sirens were morphed into rocks on the shoreline ("Sirens" UXL).
The Sirens make an appearance in the Odyssey. While on his voyage home, Odysseus and his men traveled by the Sirens. Having been warned about their powers by Circe, the Greek goddess of magic, Odysseus ordered his men to put beeswax in their ears ("Odyssey"). Still wanting to hear such beautiful songs himself, he had his crew tie him to the mast. Even though hearing the music made him beg to be released to join them, Odysseus and his ship safely sailed past the Sirens ("Sirens"). Because men were able to resist their enchanting music, the Sirens were morphed into rocks on the shoreline ("Sirens" UXL).
Works Cited
"Odyssey." Ancient Greece and Rome: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. Carroll Moulton. Vol. 3. New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998. 74-76. World History in Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
"Sirens." Ancient Greece and Rome: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. Carroll Moulton. Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998. 47-48. World History in Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
"Sirens." UXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Vol. 5. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 955-957. World History in Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
Waterhouse, John W. The Siren. 1900. Private Collection. Wikipedia. 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
Waterhouse, John W. Ulysses and the Sirens. 1891. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Philolog: Homer's Odyssey in Art. Stanford University, 4 Oct. 2009. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
"Sirens." Ancient Greece and Rome: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. Carroll Moulton. Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998. 47-48. World History in Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
"Sirens." UXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Vol. 5. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 955-957. World History in Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
Waterhouse, John W. The Siren. 1900. Private Collection. Wikipedia. 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
Waterhouse, John W. Ulysses and the Sirens. 1891. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Philolog: Homer's Odyssey in Art. Stanford University, 4 Oct. 2009. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.