autumnfade

painting by John W Waterhouse 1891 "Odysseus and the sirens"

Circe warned Ulysses of the dangers of these singing creatures who pulled men to their death. She advised him to avoid hearing the song but that if he really felt he had to hear, then he should be tied to the mast.
his men should have their ears stopped with beeswax and be ordered not to heed his screams.
Ulysses (or Odysseus) moved by curiosity and worried that no one would be able to guide the ship, twisted the words and told the men that Circe had told him that he had to listen to the song . He obeyed her instructions and listened to the song while he was tied to the mast. As he sailed by the sirens , he noted that they had the most beautiful voices he had ever heard. He became crazed and attempted to throw himself into the water to go with the sirens . He broke his rawhide bonds , and was starting to jump, but two of his strongest men bound him with chains. He could not break these.
When he saw the sirens however , he was horrified, because their appearance could not have been more different than their voices. They were horrendous half women, half vulture Harpies, and for a minute , he was so horrified he could ignore their voices. when he closed his eyes however , their song overpowered him again so he forced his eyes to remain open. But Ulysses men could not hear the sirens so at the sight of them became so horrified that they rowed faster than ever, ignoring Ulysses struggling and screaming.
Finally they rowed past the dangerous Sirens and could hear them no longer.............


painting by Herbert J Draper 1909