The Odyssey: The Sirens Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What advice does Circe give Odysseus when he returns from the land of the dead?

To plug the men's ears, and to tie Odysseus to the boat so he can hear.

Describe the Sirens. What danger do they pose?

They are like mermaids, but they're scary and want to kill you. If they sing and you hear it, you will be put under a spell and lured to your death.

How did Odysseus keep himself and his men safe when going past the Sirens?

They plugged their ears.

Describe Scylla and Charybdis.

Scylla is a siren that is so scary that neither god, nor man can look at her in joy. Charybdis is a siren who is a whirlpool monster who sucked people to the black bottom of the sea to drown. Signup and view all the answers

What did Circe tell Odysseus to plug his men's ears with?

Beeswax Signup and view all the answers

Which of the two, Scylla or Charybdis, was the lesser of the two evils? Why?

Charybdis is less evil because she is just a siren who sucks people to the bottom of the sea, and Scylla is a six-headed monster that feeds on people. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Circe's Advice to Odysseus

Circe advises Odysseus to protect his crew from the Sirens by plugging their ears with beeswax.
Odysseus should be tied to the ship's mast to hear the Sirens' song without succumbing to its danger.

Characteristics of the Sirens

Sirens resemble mermaids but possess a malevolent nature.
Their enchanting song lures sailors to their doom, placing them under a fatal spell.

Ensuring Safety from the Sirens

The crew's ears are plugged with beeswax to block out the Sirens' captivating singing.
Odysseus is bound to the mast, allowing him to hear the Sirens without endangering himself or his men.

Scylla and Charybdis

Scylla is depicted as a terrifying creature that no one can look upon with joy; she is a six-headed monster that preys on sailors.
Charybdis is described as a whirlpool monster that swallows ships and threatens to drown those who get too close.

Comparison of Scylla and Charybdis

Charybdis is deemed the lesser evil since she primarily drags victims into the depths of the sea.
Scylla poses a greater threat as she actively hunts and consumes sailors, making her more fearsome than Charybdis.

Description

Test your knowledge on the Sirens from Homer's The Odyssey with these flashcards. Explore Circe's advice to Odysseus and understand the dangers posed by the enchanting Sirens. Perfect for students studying this classic epic!