The Story of Odysseus and the Sirens

What is the story of Odysseus and the Sirens about?

This 8th-century Greek myth is a story about temptation where Circe warns Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, about the Sirens who are mythical creatures which are believed to be half woman and half bird. They use the "Sirens Call" to lure sailors to their death by offering what they most desire, like peace and love.

What is the Ulysses Pact?

A Ulysses Pact is a binding agreement you make for yourself that is enforced by others so you cannot change your mind. To hear the song without dying, Odysseus had his men put beeswax in their ears and tie him to the mast of the ship. This way, even if he desperately wanted to swim to them, he was physically prevented from doing so.

What is the metaphor in the story of Odysseus and the Sirens? (The mast, Odysseus, the Sirens)

In this story, the mast represents the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which acts as a value and guideline for our actions. The government is represented by Odysseus, who is tied to that mast. This is because the government's authority and power must always align with the Charter. The Sirens are a metaphor for the struggle between temptation and desire, and reason. The government is afraid of these "Sirens” which symbolize irrational laws that produce societal instability. In history, some leaders have promised stability only to hide their true intentions of creating permanent instability.

What is the metaphor in the story of Odysseus and the Sirens? (The Ulysses Pact)

The Charter is a restriction on the government that was produced by the government itself; it is a Ulysses Pact. By tying itself to the mast of the Charter, the government ensures that human rights are maintained in a changing world. It is a legally binding agreement, and so it provides a structure that respects the rights of all citizens and cannot be changed by future political leaders.