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Why Do Sirens Have Greek Myths

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Sirens are said to originate from Greek mythology, but as tales came about, they were spread throughout many cultures. These mythical creatures have many stories pertaining to their origin. One myth talks about how sirens were the daughters (most famously known as Parthenope, Ligea, and Leucosia) of Achelous, the river god who lived in Sirenum Scopuli. In this myth, written by Ovid, a Roman poet, they were Persophone’s playmates who failed to protect her from her abduction. It states that Demeter gave them wings in order to help her find her daughter. This story also has another ending, written by Hyginus, a contemporary of Ovid, it’s all the same except that Demeter gave them wings as punishment and turned them into monsters. Another myth …show more content…

It may be a reach, but perhaps it is rooted in misogyny. They are always portrayed to be women with abnormalities, such as animal limbs, who put male heroes in danger (Medusa, Sirens, Chimera, to name a few). No man would want a woman that is “too gross, too angry, too devious, too grasping, too smart for their own good” (Spindel). Men may have used these characteristics to make women believe that it is wrong to be superior to them. In review, sirens are mythical creatures who were said to originate from Ancient Greece. They are primarily seen as female, even though there had been evidence of male sirens that eventually disappeared from tales. They lure men to their death and cause shipwrecks with their songs. These mythical creatures contribute a lot to art and literature, even to this day. Many cultures have their own versions of sirens, but each keeps the fact that they greatly dislike men. Whether it be misogyny or not, it’s interesting to read why these creatures are portrayed the way they are, and why they are primarily …show more content…

Accessed 2 Mar. 2023.

Jenkins, Brett Elizabeth. “Sorrento Sirens: The Truth about Mermaids.” Go Next, 8 Nov. 2018, www.gonext.com/2018/11/08/sorrento-sirens-the-truth-about-mermaids/.

Rome, Crystal, and Debby Sneed. “Sirens in Ancient Greece and the near East.” Department of Classics, 19 June 2018, www.colorado.edu/classics/2018/06/19/sirens-ancient-greece-and-near-east#:~:text=In%20ancient%20Greek%20mythology%2C%20a.

“Siren - History of Sirens.” Realmermaids.net, 2019, www.realmermaids.net/mermaid-history/siren-history/.

Sonja. “Are There Male Sirens in Mythology? (with Images).” Www.sevenseasmermaid.com, 15 Jan. 2022, www.sevenseasmermaid.com/male-siren/.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Siren | Definition, Legend, & History.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 7 Feb. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/Siren-Greek-mythology.

Zimmerbaum, Hugh. “Sirens in Greek Mythology.” Study.com, 2023, www.study.com/learn/lesson/siren-mythology.html#:~:text=They%20were%20fabled%20to%20have Accessed 23 Feb.

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