The Myth of Sirens

The Myth of Sirens

Sirens

• Greek mythology• One of three sea nymphs, usually represented

with the head of a woman and the body of a bird• Daughters of Phorcus or of Achelous• Sirens inhabited an island surrounded by

dangerous rocks. They sang so enchantingly that all who heard were drawn near and shipwrecked.

Phorcus

• PHORKYS (or Phorcys) was an ancient sea-god who presided over the hidden dangers of the deep. He and his wife Keto were also the gods of all the large creatures which inhabited the depths of the sea.

Achelous

• AKHELOIOS (or Achelous) was a River-God of Aitolia in central Greece. As the god of the largest fresh-water river in Greece, he was often represented as the god of fresh water in general.

Siren Pictures

Siren Pictures

Sirens in Odyssey

Sirens in Odyssey

Myths Related to Sirens

Mermaid Selkie

Hellenizing Ireland• see p. 4 of our edition, where Mulligan talks a bit about “the

Greeks”• ** the phrase “Hellenise Ireland” – actually, Mulligan says “the

island” – is on p. 6, l. 158.• ** Prof. MacHugh in the Aeolus chapter also adds a further thought

or two. See p. 110. • ** In Scylla & Charybdis, Mulligan describes Bloom as “Greeker

than the Greeks” (p. 165), which is interesting in this whole “Hellenising” context.

• The title Ulysses• The Odyssey aspect• Dedalus is greek

Greek vs Celtic– Actually would be more like the old Ireland– Both were polytheistic

• Priests and Druids– Lived in different areas (division by kingdom for Greece but tribes

in Ireland)– Mythical Creatures

• Mermaid• Fairies or Fae• Selkie• Siren

– Idolized art• Greek pottery• Celtic knot work