Sirens

[porphyry]

 
Here is what the Sirens actually sing to Odysseus in bk. 12 of the Odyssey (Butler's translation from the Perseus website):


"‘Come here,’ they sang, ‘renowned Odysseus, honor to the Achaean name, and listen to our two voices. No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song - and he who listens will go on his way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all the ills that the gods laid upon the Argives and Trojans before Troy, and can tell you everything that is going to happen over the whole world.’"

Isn't it interesting that they basically claim to be able to sing the Iliad and the Odyssey, and, one supposes, also The Little Ilaid and the Nostoi?

Is it really almost 30 years ago when I missed this on first reading?

Comments

[vonjunzt.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you pointed that out. Somehow I've managed to miss it in previous readings, too.

[petrusplancius.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure that it's quite as definite as you suggest; they say that they know has been happening at Troy but then go on to say that they know everything that comes to pass on the fruitful earth. So their songs would not necesairily be solely about Troy.

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

I take everything everything that will happen all over the world to mean Odysseus's own adventuress all over the entire world, and by extension those of the other Greeks. It strikes me that Home is pointed likening the irresistible, seductive song of the sirens to his own repertoire. But perhaps I've been doing too much literary criticism lately.

[benicek.livejournal.com]

Do the sirens in some way represent members of Homer's own profession?

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

That's certainly my impression, but given that its Homer there are doubtless hundreds of articles and commentaries to the point--no way to decide the matter without reading those.