The topic I want to explore in this week’s blog post is the power of the sirens’ knowledge in unison with humans’ dying quest for knowledge. To my previous knowledge, sirens lured men through their beauty and men’s sexual desires, as the men were unable to resist the temptation of such beautiful women. After reading, I learned this perspective wrong and sailors were attracted to the knowledge the sirens had to share. I have long thought of sirens as monsters rather than well-versed beings of the universe and have perceived the mermaid as a hierarchical figure.

Why is it that the sirens who share knowledge, have developed the reputation of monsters, but the beautiful mermaids are renowned for their popularity? What does this belief say about a human woman and the response when they possess complex knowledge versus simple beauty? I honestly find this relationship difficult to investigate because there are so many implications and questions embedded within it.

On page 9 of Odysseus and the Sirens, it states, “Sirens deduce: lead astray, diver, lead elsewhere, persuaded to desert one’s allegiance, corrupt.” I found this quote interesting because of the Siren’s representation as deceitful and “corrupt” which may still be interpreted as so. The Siren is meant to tempt men with their knowledge, so far that it leads them men to their deaths. We have talked about the correlation between Adam and Eve with this similar temptation, and human’s natural reaction to falling for temptation.

“The lure and knowledge the Sirens held in antiquity had to do with life and death, or knowing the future beyond human ability so much with sexuality” ( page, 9). Sirens are the ultimate possessor of knowledge which is why they are so enticing. Since the dawn of time, humans have strived for knowledge and even killed to obtain it, yet we fear it and those who possess it. Although their possession of knowledge is feared ( which makes sense because it kills you), I think this has a possible tie to the fear of human women “knowing”. Over centuries woman have been suppressed to limit their knowledge, as they have been boarded for the workplace, education, etc. Yet these siren’s knowledge is limitless and they are represented as monsters because of their knowledge. When we look at the typical depiction of a mermaid and their beauty they are looked up to, in the church in society, etc. for their sexual representation and beauty. This is the same for woman as woman with beauty are praised and looked up to as idols, their lack of knowledge is what people hope for.

Why is it that a woman possessing knowledge is feared but a woman possessing beauty is expected?