But what statement are they making in the context of Homer's narrative and gender dynamics? And how does our modern representation of sirens differ from the classic greek siren?
I was super excited when in Chapter 12 we got to the part of the Odyssey with the sirens in it. I've always thought that sirens were so creepy, the idea of a song so alluring and so desirable that you would do anything and forget all logic in order to seek it out and hear it. Sirens are so powerful, no physical strength can withstand them While I was actually reading the chapter, I was surprised by the fact that their song contained real words. It wasn't just a melody, they were singing directly to Odysseus and addressing him, not only using how beautiful their song was but using flattery and bribery to get him to come to them. I was torn as to if or if not I liked this, hearing the words of the song got rid of some of the mystery of the siren, but it also made them seem even more creepy, that the siren could get into your head and know exactly how to tempt you.
Another thing that I knew before reading the chapter but I just think is so fantastic is that the sirens aren't mermaids like they are in our more contemporary representation of them, they're BIRDS! If you look at some of the classical sculptures of them, they're not just ladies with winds. They're full out birds, just their heads are the heads of women. Honestly, I love this because to me at least it makes the men even more stupid and vulnerable to want to go to them. You're being seduced by a bird?! Comic genius. Yet, the lack of objective physical appeal of the sirens is an even bigger testament to their power, and that's cool too. But I did read that apparently, it's a thing that if someone hears a sirens song and doesn't die the sirens throw themselves into the water and die. So that's a bummer. I kind of root for the sirens tbh.
Okay though back to discussing the gender dynamics in the Odyssey and how sirens fit in. Siren's are the ultimate representation of the magical seductress archetype we've seen in both Circe and Calypso. Both of these women are powerful and "seduce" Odysseus (though he didn't seem to need much convincing). Both of these women, though they're fairly kind of Odysseus, don't earn the love of Odysseus in the same way that Penelope does. Penelope is in many ways the opposite of these women. She's a little bit tricky in her weaving scheme but other than that she doesn't have any exceptional power, certainly not any magical power. As well, she's chaste and faithful in her wait for Odysseus. According to the rules of the book, Odysseus treats them all justly. Circe and Calypso and even the sirens are interesting distractions, but they won't ever be worthy of Odysseus' full devotion, and we are supposed to see this as correct. These women deserve less than Penelope because they are powerful sexy women and it doesn't really matter because Penelope is always the endgame.
I like your point connecting the sirens to Circe and Calypso as magical seductresses. This is an interesting yet common theme, I would say, among women in Greek mythology. However, this connection between the similarities between the struggles facing both Odysseus and Penelope was something that I had not considered. We've talked a lot about the temptations that Odysseus has faced, and similarly the struggle that Penelope faces with the suitors in the house, but never in relation to each other. In the same way that Odysseus turns down the women who tempt him on his journey (albeit not very promptly), Penelope similarly does her best to avert the suitors in an attempt to stay loyal to Odysseus. I would definitely be interested in seeing what other tactics Penelope may have used to put off the suitors for so long.
ReplyDeleteI also love sirens!!! I just think they're such fascinating creatures, and I totally agree with you that the idea of a song being so powerful is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI also saw gendered that subtext in the Odyssey, though. The sirens are definitely part of the "female temptation" theme we see with Odysseus. Perhaps they're all different sorts of temptation, Calypso being the purest (no real shame in being with her) and the sirens being the most damning. I also grew up really loving Calypso and Circe as powerful women as well, so what you said about them deserving less than Penelope really struck a chord with me. Not that I don't love Penelope, of course, but she WAS super proud of her son for chastising her. Perhaps it could also be Odysseus reaching for love instead of power here, but I don't necessarily know if the book portrays it that way.
Given that we see the Sirens as these very femme fatale seductress types, I had to read over the song a couple times to make sure I wasn't missing anything. In this translation, at least, the Sirens never use Odysseus's sexuality to seduce him. They talk a big talk about how great he is, for sure. But they never ask him to sleep with them or do the whole Calypso "I'm taller and sexier than your wife" thing. The information that they lure him with is a full account of what happened at Troy. This exchange is an elegant way for Homer to tell us that Odysseus is good: he's not tempted by offers of sex (unless it's with Circe but I'll drop that for now). He just wants to know where his friends are.
ReplyDeleteThis is something we haven't talked about much in my class, so it was really interesting to read about! Sirens are really super cool. It always entertained me to imagine all these intelligent men getting their lives ruined because of some women singing songs. I never knew that they were birds, and that just makes it more funny. Dumbass men getting seduced by birds? Incredible.
ReplyDeleteBut back to the point. If sirens are connected to Calypso and Circe as villain-like, then they lose so much of their awesome status. It's also kinda bullshit. They're seducers and maybe they try to make Odysseus be unfaithful, but why should we give them shit for it when we've got Zeus wandering around having sex with everyone? It's double standards at their finest.
Ahhhh nice post!!! I agree I personally love the siren detail. I think that the "femme fatale" character or "magical seductress" character archetypes serve to reinforce the values that women are supposed to be faithful to men like you said. I'd also add that when you have characters like this it gives men an excuse to NOT adhere to the same standards put on women - it's not their fault the siren's song was so beautiful, or that Calypso charmed them. It seems we never get a male character who is a tempter. The Odyssey seems to assert that women who have a special type of sex appeal can "overpower" men with it, and the men cannot escape (plus these women are sinister, selfish, or not real women, because they're birds, gods, or dead). It perpetuates the double standard in lots of ways. Yay!!!
ReplyDeleteI was reading your post in physics class and choked on my water because I was laughing so hard at the "You're being seduced by a bird?! Comic genius" line, so thanks for that Ray hates me now
ReplyDeleteI loved this post??? So much??? I also love sirens, and they do a wonderful job of pointing out all the double standards we see between men and women in the Odyssey. It's almost as if the minute a woman has some sort of sex appeal, she no longer can be seen as a "hero." Take Calypso, Circe, and the sirens: they're all sexy, powerful, and magical beings. Though none of them actually hurt Odysseus (the first two even help him), we don't see them as heroes. Now take a look at the more "heroic" or helpful females in the book like Naussica. I'm not going to say that she's too young to be sexualized because in Greek culture it was common for girls her age to be seen as women and get married, but she's young without a promiscuous attitude and Odysseus doesn't see her/describe her as a hottie.
Penelope and Nausicaa (another "good" female) are both shown as much more chaste and demure than Circe, Calypso, or the sirens. As much as those "stronger" female characters appeal to a modern perspective; from Homer's view, Penelope and Nausicaa were probably much more likable, where the sirens are demonized. Whatever, anyway, your post was hilarious, and sirens rock.
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