The Fatal Song of the Sirens | Monstrum

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  • Опубликовано: 22 июл 2020
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    We tend to picture sirens as seductive water creatures similar to mermaids, but the original first sirens weren’t actually fish-like creatures at all-they were sea-dwelling monsters with half human half bird bodies. The first depictions of sirens found from historical artifacts show these ocean-dwelling monsters with feathered bird bodies capable of flight, and of course...that ever beguiling song.
    That’s what really sets the siren apart-the hypnotic voice that drives all who hear it to destruction and even death. This episode explains how sirens appeared in ancient history, from literature to art, and looks at how the half human half bird creatures became more commonly associated with mermaids. From Ancient Greek legends to Medieval bestiaries, and even Egyptian hieroglyphics, the siren’s history is so much more complicated than you think. #siren #mermaid #MonstrumPBS
    Written and Hosted by: Emily Zarka
    Director: David Schulte
    Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
    Producer: Stephanie Noone
    Illustrator: Samuel Allen
    Editor: Sara Roma
    Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
    The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans' unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.
    Follow us on Instagram:
    / monstrumpbs
    -----------
    BIBLIOGRAPHY:
    Austern, Linda. Music of the Sirens. Indiana University Press, 2006.
    “Ba-bird.” The Met Museum. www.metmuseum.org/art/collect....
    Bestiary, fol. 10r. c. late XII.
    Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. England, S. (Salisbury?), c. 13th century.
    Cooney, John D. “Siren and Ba, Birds of a Feather.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Vol. 55, No. 8, Oct. 1968, pp. 262-271.
    Evans, Elaine A. “Ancient Egyptian Ba-Bird.” McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/1993/11....
    Gray, Douglas. Simple Forms: Essays on Medieval English Popular Literature. Oxford University Press
    Fitzgerald, David. “The Myth of the Sirens.” The Academy, Issue 487 (Sept. 3, 1881): pp. 182).
    Harrison, Jane E. "The Myth of Odysseus and the Sirens." The Magazine of Art, 1887, pp. 133-136.
    G., P. A most Strange and True Report of a Monsterous Fish, Who Appeared in the Forme of a Woman, from Her Waste Vpwards. London, for W.B, 1604.
    Homer. The Odyssey, Book 12. Trans. A.T. Murray, Classical Library, Vol. 1, Harvard University Press, 1924. www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyss....
    Kaplan, Matt. The Science of Monsters. Scribner, 2013.
    Northumberland Bestiary. c. 1250-1260. www.getty.edu/art/collection/o....
    Muhlestein, Kerry, and John Gee. Evolving Egypt: Innovation, Appropriation, and Reinterpretation In Ancient Egypt. E-book, Oxford, UK: BAR Publishing, 2012, doi-org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/....
    Ovid. Metamorphoses. Trans. Rolfe Humphries, 1983.
    Peraldus. Theological miscellany, including the Summa de vitis. England, c. 13th century after c. 1236.www.bl.uk/catalogues/illumina....
    Psalter. England, between 1310-1320. www.bl.uk/catalogues/illumina....
    Rhodius, Apollonius. The Argonautica. Trans. R.C. Seaton. Project Gutenberg, 1912. www.gutenberg.org/files/830/8....
    Romano, Stefania, et al. “Beyond the myth: The mermaid syndrome from Homerus to Andersen A tribute to Hans Christian Andersen’s bicentennial of birth.” European Journal of Radiology, 58, 2006, pp. 252-259.
    Tandjung, Beverly. “The Enchantress of the Medieval Bestiary.” The Iris, May 11, 2018. blogs.getty.edu/iris/the-ench....
    The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville, edited by Stephen A. Barney, et al., Cambridge University Press, 2006.
    Zabkar, Louis V. “Herodotus and the Egyptian Idea of Immortality.” Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 22, No. 1, Jan. 1963, pp. 57-63.

Комментарии • 1,1 тыс.

  • @mattdeblassmusic
    @mattdeblassmusic 3 года назад +1646

    To be fair to the Irish sirens, a bunch of dudes slept with them, took their money and lied about coming back, they were pretty rightfully pissed.

    • @Kai-yq4ur
      @Kai-yq4ur 3 года назад +249

      Agreed. He even got her pregnant with no child support. Rude.

    • @THEMIGHTYQBAG
      @THEMIGHTYQBAG 3 года назад +21

      There's Whiskey in the Jar.

    • @Spot_Faceless-Soldier
      @Spot_Faceless-Soldier 3 года назад +19

      I mean... what did they do wrong before? Why did the men purposely avoid them? It made no sense to me at all

    • @SeraphimCramer
      @SeraphimCramer 3 года назад +34

      @@Spot_Faceless-Soldier There could be more to the story, or it could just be one of those folk tales that made perfect sense in its time, but is full of holes today.

    • @thecrazycookiwholuvsidk8174
      @thecrazycookiwholuvsidk8174 3 года назад +3

      Wait really?

  • @theasinclaire52
    @theasinclaire52 3 года назад +2128

    Fun fact: According to modern translations, what The Sirens sang about varied from person to person. For Odysseus it was knowledge. What kind of song would modern Sirens sing about?
    "Unlimited free Wi-Fi"
    "We know where you left your keys."
    "You've won a free $1000 gift card!"
    "Free grant to pay off your student loans!"
    etc.

    • @alex0589
      @alex0589 3 года назад +293

      Thea Sinclaire “you won an ipad”
      Freakin mermaids would be influencers
      Hashtag sealife hashtag deadsailors

    • @joanhoffman3702
      @joanhoffman3702 3 года назад +39

      LMFAO!

    • @plantliyo
      @plantliyo 3 года назад +113

      @@alex0589 that "hashtag dead sailor" made me wheeze

    • @drsharkboy6568
      @drsharkboy6568 3 года назад +115

      “We know where your father is!”
      Me, having not seen him since he went to get milk: *BOATING SAFETY LAWS PREPARE TO BE IGNORED!*
      Or they could sing about how, “We will help you pay your college debt!” and I’m sure maritime-related disasters would increase so much.

    • @shamsterthehamster
      @shamsterthehamster 3 года назад +70

      "FREE FOOD"?
      Just when I thought I would be safe for being a woman 😒

  • @blauesserpiroyal2887
    @blauesserpiroyal2887 3 года назад +1158

    The way they are described as birds they remind me of harpies.

    • @rexmundi3108
      @rexmundi3108 3 года назад +188

      I'm curious to know the connection between Sirens and Harpies. They seem the same physically, except the former are beautiful and the latter ugly.

    • @mikegould6590
      @mikegould6590 3 года назад +34

      Was hoping to explore the Harpy connect too.

    • @scaper8
      @scaper8 3 года назад +48

      This really sounds like a great video to use as a jumping off point to do one on harpes and mermaids! hint, hint. Hopefully.

    • @Vic-pg4rg
      @Vic-pg4rg 3 года назад +11

      Exactly.

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  3 года назад +465

      Harpies have their own mythos. They are kore associated with land, Zeus, and storms. Definitely something for a future video!-*Dr. Z*

  • @AdamSeiler
    @AdamSeiler 3 года назад +788

    Any "dislikes" are just from of Odysseus's jealous sailors who didn't get a chance to hear their song.

    • @d.n5287
      @d.n5287 3 года назад +15

      That and Poseidon and his cyclops children

    • @richmcgee434
      @richmcgee434 3 года назад +12

      No, they're from people who heard her call Circe a good hostess. Her standard routine was to turn her all her visitors into pigs, FFS. If Odysseus didn't have godly help he'd have wound up as bacon along with his crew.

    • @bomaigimogeremawi4242
      @bomaigimogeremawi4242 3 года назад +2

      Lmfao bro 😂

    • @OliverBoliverr
      @OliverBoliverr 7 месяцев назад +1

      fr they js mad

  • @Corporis
    @Corporis 3 года назад +407

    I love the idea that in the Irish version of the legend, a Banshee could start singing her death warning while the Siren sings her death song. At that point, I think they need to start a band.

    • @fairycat23
      @fairycat23 3 года назад +28

      I'd stream their album.

    • @jaanimations1410
      @jaanimations1410 3 года назад +21

      Can i get a ticket for the live show

    • @ScarabKing143
      @ScarabKing143 3 года назад +12

      Then they will join the eurovision as a stepping stone of their career...

    • @windigo1592
      @windigo1592 3 года назад +7

      Band name would be monsters songs

    • @adamnyc5873
      @adamnyc5873 3 года назад +8

      Can't wait to see them at Coachella! 😍

  • @lasigna0212
    @lasigna0212 3 года назад +522

    I've heard that the Sirens could be inspired by a seabird, the Yelkouan Shearwater. They live out at sea and never touch land, except when it's time to breed and head to small islands scattered in the Mediterranean. They let out strong, screeching calls in the night that kind of sound like someone being choked to death or a baby desperately crying, it's hypotesized that sailors were so panicked by their calls that they lost control of the ship and wrecked on the islands where the birds were nesting.
    Edit: I corrected a typo

    • @NightmareLoveForever
      @NightmareLoveForever 3 года назад +25

      Wow. I just looked up their sound. It's so scary!! Like someone wheezing to death. Gosh.
      For anyone else interested: ruclips.net/video/HWwMK1n9HyA/видео.html

    • @elyeliza8287
      @elyeliza8287 3 года назад +7

      @@NightmareLoveForever OH MY GOD

    • @traintheteacher
      @traintheteacher 2 года назад

      You are right. Well, I found the similar one but a more engaging one: ruclips.net/video/AG2Z-BAm5kI/видео.html

    • @jonahmaddox1038
      @jonahmaddox1038 Год назад

      Interesting I have to look it up.

  • @sagarnegi9464
    @sagarnegi9464 3 года назад +725

    Finally just when I was having a real bad day Dr. Emily comes to save the day!!!!

    • @billcosby5942
      @billcosby5942 3 года назад +11

      Bro she's a snack! 🤤

    • @Mortheous
      @Mortheous 3 года назад +15

      I'm sorry you've been having a bad day! Hope it gets better!

    • @carissstewart3211
      @carissstewart3211 3 года назад +8

      Hope your day gets better.

    • @sagarnegi9464
      @sagarnegi9464 3 года назад +6

      Well it has hit nighttime so I guess it will be good

    • @DuncanUdaho67
      @DuncanUdaho67 3 года назад +9

      Bill Cosby yikes

  • @themuffinman4458
    @themuffinman4458 3 года назад +401

    Pls do The Flying Dutchman next.
    We should keep the sea creatures and ghosts going.

    • @lolobuto1608
      @lolobuto1608 3 года назад +24

      Just watch SpongeBob there are episodes why he became the Flying Dutchman

    • @Trevin_Taylor
      @Trevin_Taylor 3 года назад +6

      Arman Solis came to say this

    • @Rhomega
      @Rhomega 3 года назад +11

      @@lolobuto1608 Oh yes, Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost, where it shows his corpse was used as a mannequin.

    • @thomassaunders8145
      @thomassaunders8145 3 года назад +3

      Flying Dutchman would be a good one.

    • @AlexG32777
      @AlexG32777 3 года назад +10

      You guys do realise the "real" Flying Dutchman was a ghost ship and not a ghost right

  • @toastbot9496
    @toastbot9496 3 года назад +563

    Wait so its pronounced *Kir-ki* and not *cir-sey* ? I've bambozzled myself so many times.

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  3 года назад +235

      The Greek pronunciation, yep!--*Dr. Z*

    • @mathewfinch
      @mathewfinch 3 года назад +101

      Same thing in Latin. I'll admit that it does sound kinda weird to pronounce the names as Yulius Kaesar, and Kikero though, but that is the correct pronunciation.

    • @christianforsstrom2222
      @christianforsstrom2222 3 года назад +52

      @@mathewfinch indeed, but other words, like the german Kaiser (Emperor) makes so much more sense when you know that.

    • @laexploradoraaaXD
      @laexploradoraaaXD 3 года назад +45

      In Latin, all c's are hard c's as there's no k, which comes into the script via the Germanic languages

    • @rexmundi3108
      @rexmundi3108 3 года назад +31

      I posted this before I read the comments: I'm impressed that you pronounce Circe properly. The whole "soft C" was not a thing in antiquity. Even Ceaser was pronounced more like it's later version Kaiser. Ciccero was Kikkero, etc. (edit) actually I'm thinking of Latin, but I think it still applies.

  • @menkomonty
    @menkomonty 3 года назад +154

    My grandparents once told me a story of a Mermaid's Pool where they were driving through the countryside and there was this small pool of water and as they passed the pool, they heard a loud scream coming from the radio. When they stopped at a nearby pub, the owner told them that the scream they had heard was from the mermaid that lived in the pool and that something has distressed her. Me and my family used to drive up their and we were told that no animal will go near the pool and birds flying overhead will fly around the pool rather than just fly over it.

    • @wrona_serowa
      @wrona_serowa 3 года назад +7

      Whoa! That's so interesting!

    • @eemzydemzy3072
      @eemzydemzy3072 3 года назад +10

      If you're interested in more stories about mermaids and bodies of water you should dig into the haitian mermaid myth.

  • @ZoggFromBetelgeuse
    @ZoggFromBetelgeuse 3 года назад +144

    In Germany, we have the legend of Loreley, kind of a sweetwater siren. She is said to have distracted skippers on the Rhine with her beauty and song, causing them to crash on the rocks.

    • @Vox-Multis
      @Vox-Multis 3 года назад

      Ah, yes. Loreley is the subject of one of my favorite songs...
      ruclips.net/video/t1oRC6by83A/видео.html

    • @AlexAzureOtaku
      @AlexAzureOtaku 3 года назад +2

      Isn't there a scottis variant on the same?

    • @chadfalardeau3259
      @chadfalardeau3259 3 года назад +1

      I thought it was Irish folklore?

    • @AlexAzureOtaku
      @AlexAzureOtaku 3 года назад +2

      @@chadfalardeau3259 there's the Irish Merrie and the scottish kelpie!

    • @joshuaalach9431
      @joshuaalach9431 2 года назад +3

      Slavic countries have the Rusalka too.

  • @mypal1990
    @mypal1990 3 года назад +70

    Odysseus is the real MVP when he was bound on a ship's mast to take the grunt of the siren song while his crew covered their ears with beeswax on the Odyssey.

    • @bryankelly335
      @bryankelly335 3 года назад +15

      His crew were the true bros of the Era

    • @Demolitiondude
      @Demolitiondude 3 года назад +6

      Not to mention the hate boner Poseidon had for Odysseus forgetting to make an offering for safe passage.

    • @TheSpoegefugl
      @TheSpoegefugl 3 года назад +5

      @@Demolitiondude Not to mention blinding one of Poseidon's sons

  • @stainedlavender
    @stainedlavender 3 года назад +238

    "I got this, I'm an adult" - ah yes, the song of a generation.
    Side note, I love these videos so much!

    • @lupfarkas3811
      @lupfarkas3811 3 года назад +3

      I was thinking the same hahahaha

    • @LuisSierra42
      @LuisSierra42 2 года назад

      haha, i often have to remind myself as well

  • @camibvaz
    @camibvaz 3 года назад +12

    hearing her pronounce "Circe" as "kirke" made all my latim buff cells sparkle and shine. Love to hear someone using the reconstructed pronunciation

  • @renatanovato9460
    @renatanovato9460 3 года назад +79

    In some brazilian indian mythology, there is Yara, the lady of the water, i don't know how she was depicted first, but she got to us (after collonization) as a mermaid.

    • @maohkkhoam
      @maohkkhoam 3 года назад +5

      Sometimes she's also called Mãe d'água, I guess she's more like a goddess for the Brazilian indian mythology. Also she can be consider more a half fish half woman cuz of piranhas. That's what I think of course.

    • @italucenaz
      @italucenaz 3 года назад +2

      It's a shame we don't know the real story of Iara, just the version portuguese people say, they aready knew the strories of sirens and mermaids and probably altered the myth

    • @sherlynfernandes8864
      @sherlynfernandes8864 3 года назад

      Brazilian indian ?

    • @italucenaz
      @italucenaz 3 года назад +3

      @@sherlynfernandes8864 she is talking about indigenous people, natives, in Brazil we say "índios", and it get confused sometimes

    • @renatanovato9460
      @renatanovato9460 3 года назад

      @@sherlynfernandes8864 it is not an incorrect term
      www.britannica.com/topic/American-Indian

  • @wimvanderstraeten6521
    @wimvanderstraeten6521 3 года назад +48

    During the Middle Ages it was also believed that there were also sea knights, sea bishops, sea monks etc. If something existed on land there was an aquatic equivalent.

    • @hezelia
      @hezelia 3 года назад +5

      Sea monks? How are those? They meditate in sea temples?

  • @neonspecter2730
    @neonspecter2730 3 года назад +74

    Do I see feathers on Dr Zarka's arms?
    Interesting...

    • @whatisnot1926
      @whatisnot1926 2 года назад

      I think those are tattoos.
      Edit: Woops, My mistake she doesn't have any. I've just realise in her other videos.

  • @michaelmccullough1034
    @michaelmccullough1034 3 года назад +219

    If Mermaids have their own history, does that mean we'll get a Mermaid video. Please 😁🙏🧜🏿‍♀️

    • @olipriyaroy2622
      @olipriyaroy2622 3 года назад +4

      Yes yes yes want want want

    • @mandypandy111ify
      @mandypandy111ify 3 года назад +5

      I second this, I'd love a mermaid video!

    • @jamy306
      @jamy306 3 года назад

      Are the sirens killers

    • @singingocean8067
      @singingocean8067 3 года назад

      I agree🧜🏻‍♀️🧜🏻‍♀️🧜🏻‍♀️🌊🎵

    • @jdmangrich
      @jdmangrich 2 года назад

      @𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 Hã, no

  • @AveryTalksAboutStuff
    @AveryTalksAboutStuff 3 года назад +84

    I've loved mythology ever since I read Percy Jackson in elementary school and I love learning more about it through videos like this!

    • @sdrpicasso1847
      @sdrpicasso1847 3 года назад +3

      Yes!! You're like me!

    • @maohkkhoam
      @maohkkhoam 3 года назад +3

      Now we are 3. I also like cuz this videos talks about a lot of mythologies.

  • @shamsterthehamster
    @shamsterthehamster 3 года назад +160

    Siren : *sings*
    Me : Ha! I'm a woman, bish!
    Siren : ♪Free food♪
    Me : Hold my ship

    • @selenophile333
      @selenophile333 3 года назад +12

      There Male siren's lol

    • @13gudadod
      @13gudadod 3 года назад +27

      Lesbians;say no more

    • @AcuTWST
      @AcuTWST 3 года назад +6

      Sirens don't only just work on men--

  • @Ninjaananas
    @Ninjaananas 3 года назад +48

    6:55
    I never heard of them having dog faces.

    • @satanswife2546
      @satanswife2546 3 года назад +3

      Oh oh I have heard of it since child and there's even an episode of Sofia the first featured a reference to them, I was surprised and happy to see that ep when my kid was watching it hah

  • @priyaa___a.official24
    @priyaa___a.official24 3 года назад +198

    Egyptians : create Ba-bird
    Greeks : *Hippity hoppity your work is now my property*

    • @satanswife2546
      @satanswife2546 3 года назад +3

      ...

    • @CelestialDraconis
      @CelestialDraconis 3 года назад +30

      Romans, to the Greeks: It's free real estate

    • @oscarsoto9512
      @oscarsoto9512 3 года назад

      Are diferents thinks, i think you are one of those anti European Karens but greek have their owns

    • @Alina_Schmidt
      @Alina_Schmidt 3 года назад +2

      The concept of copyright isn‘t universal and just hasn‘t existed in that time the way we know now.
      And also today we adapt, change or work on older/ other‘s ideas to create something (partly) new.

  • @BowNow
    @BowNow 3 года назад +21

    Well now we definitely need an episode on Harpies. I always got confused between the two depictions outside of Siren being generally melodic

  • @melm4251
    @melm4251 3 года назад +8

    when i read the odyssey i was stunned by how short the appearance of the sirens is, barely a single page's worth! They certainly made an impact

  • @racheltheclumsy
    @racheltheclumsy 3 года назад +49

    So cool! Would love to see a part 2 on mermaids! I actually wrote a paper theorizing that Sirens might be connected to the pre-biblical and biblical figure Lilith, a winged She-demon with bird and serpent features, popularly known as Adam’s first wife. As for the transition between feathers and scales, here is a quote that I used in that paper from the book Seduction and the Secret Power of Women: The Lure of Sirens and Mermaids. “Once the birds’ feathers disappeared, the lower part of the new hybrid acquired one or two very visible tail fins. The Sirens became mermaids….Perhaps a banal error was made by a scribe, attributable to homophony or paronymy. Wing and fin, in Greek, are both designated by the same word, pterughion; in Latin, only a vowel separates pennis and pinnis.” (Lao, 82) There are also several Siren and Mermaid myths where the creatures have both bird and fish features simultaneously, such as The french myth of Melusine. Would love to hear what you think!

    • @joanhoffman3702
      @joanhoffman3702 3 года назад +1

      Fascinating insights! Just the sort of stuff I like to read and learn. Thanks for the thoughts!😊

    • @lilymoon2829
      @lilymoon2829 3 года назад +1

      Holy cow, I thought I was the only one who had made this connection! I wrote about it in my A-Level English Lit essay a few months back, re. the character of Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park being characterised a essentially both a siren and a Lilith archetype as opposed to Fanny Price as a "subversive Eve". This was over a long tangent about the goddesses Rhiannon and Dianna and the deer in Whoso List to Hunt as well as Keats' La Belle Dame Sans Merci in comparison to Chaucer's Knight's & Miller's Tales under the title of " 'misbehaving' femininity"... yeah I went a bit over my word limit. But I'm stoked to see some else had a similar inclination, makes me hope my essay wasn't the trash-fire I worried it was :-D And I definitely have to get my hands on that book- wish I'd known about before my essay! Would love to hear more about the paper you wrote, it sound really interesting!

    • @racheltheclumsy
      @racheltheclumsy 3 года назад

      Lily Moon so cool! I also thought I was the only one who made this connection! Would you like to connect on Instagram so we can chat?

    • @lilymoon2829
      @lilymoon2829 3 года назад +1

      @@racheltheclumsy I'd love that! I'm on instagram as lily_cat27

    • @racheltheclumsy
      @racheltheclumsy 3 года назад

      Lily Moon just sent a request!

  • @marknilomartinezdayrit285
    @marknilomartinezdayrit285 3 года назад +104

    Hey Dr. Z, hows about doing "KAPRE"? The cigar smoking tree giant from philippine folklore?

    • @lordodysseus
      @lordodysseus 3 года назад +2

      Is that cannibalism? Or is it more like people eating monkeys?

    • @maynarddanielpalawar959
      @maynarddanielpalawar959 3 года назад +11

      @@lordodysseus not really. KAPREs are more like tree guardians that curses or something anyone who tries to cut that specific tree down

    • @theskyobserver
      @theskyobserver 3 года назад +9

      Tiyanak... Amaranhig... Batibat... Sigbin... Tiktik... Wakwak... Tikbalang

    • @BoredBookAddict
      @BoredBookAddict 3 года назад +3

      The possibilities are endless :)

    • @ikazuchioni
      @ikazuchioni 3 года назад +6

      That's real interesting, as she has already talked about our "Manananggal".

  • @skyden24195
    @skyden24195 2 года назад +1

    When I was in Jr. High (late 80's) I had a teacher who absolutely loved Greek mythology. Her classroom was adorned with posters, books, etc. of Greek figures, writings and what-not. Oftentimes she would give assignments which incorporated Greek mythology aspects to them. It was in this teacher's class that I had first heard the story of the Iliad/Odyssey. An aspect she mentioned, retaining to event with the sirens, was that the primary reason Odysseus was tied to the mast without wax in his ears was because one man on the ship needed to be able to hear the siren's song. This was so that the rest of the crew knew for certain when they were in and out of earshot of the song's reach, and of course Odysseus would take that task on himself. So as long as Odysseus was fighting to get out of his bindings, the crew knew they were not out of danger; not until their commander relaxed back down to a calm and reasonable state. This added detail always made the story/siren event make more sense to me than, "Odysseus just did it out of curiosity," which seems so lame in compared consideration of his usual cautious and clever characteristics that are portrayed throughout the rest of the story.

  • @idunno529
    @idunno529 3 года назад +6

    "I got this, I'm an adult" after a wonderful story of sirens is really how I needed my day to start so thank you

  • @bernardmccabe463
    @bernardmccabe463 3 года назад +23

    The Irish mer-women were called merrows. There were also merrow-men, famously portrayed by talented actor / model Derek Zoolander.

  • @user-jn1wm3tb8v
    @user-jn1wm3tb8v 3 года назад +14

    Half-human half-bird? Well that doesn't look like something horrific.

  • @pdzombie1906
    @pdzombie1906 3 года назад +1

    Dr. Zarka is the siren of Storied whose call through notifications tempt me to watch most interesting videos of creatures and the societies which spawn them, and so I continue to the next recomendation until I drown in the sea of RUclips... I mean, great video, Dr. Zarka. Thanx!!!!

  • @studyzen8836
    @studyzen8836 3 года назад +32

    Dr. Z: *mentions police sirens*
    *actual police sirens start outside my window*
    Me: Wow, the audio on this video is amazing!

  • @joshuaashby4720
    @joshuaashby4720 3 года назад +11

    Here’s a monster I’d like to see as a subject in a future episode of this series: the Mokele-mbembe, a creature from the Congo that’s sometimes depicted as a sauropod dinosaur.

  • @Jennifahh
    @Jennifahh 3 года назад +9

    Im so happy ive found this channel!!
    THIS is what i live for!!❤❤❤❤❤🙏🏻

  • @luigidisanpietro3720
    @luigidisanpietro3720 3 года назад +73

    Perhaps the mermaids were also *"Dugongs"* or *"Seals"* . Sea-Travel afterall was still a very physically demmanding business before and sailors might be hallucinating from hunger, or physical stress...
    Nice documentary. Excellent Dr. Emily!!!

    • @SlapstickGenius23
      @SlapstickGenius23 3 года назад +4

      Or manatees.

    • @kayvaanmcsharrowkyn6901
      @kayvaanmcsharrowkyn6901 3 года назад +3

      My Dad is a Manatee...Trust me..a Large German Man In a Wetsuit is NOT A SIGHT THAT WOULD CONFUSE ANY ADDLED GREEK SAILORS

    • @sonofaquack6987
      @sonofaquack6987 3 года назад +2

      Doesn’t really make sense connecting dugongs and manatees to mermaids with voices though and even if they were hallucinating they’re usually gray in appearance with flippers and whiskers. Must’ve been some pretty hard trips if they were tripping out that much.

  • @serenitymeyer461
    @serenitymeyer461 3 года назад +2

    Thank you for pronouncing Circe's name correctly! Few people realize that the c sound would have been hard in that context. Same thing in latin. Cicero for example would have been pronounced with as Kikero

  • @shadowscribe
    @shadowscribe 3 года назад +11

    Interesting some creatures are so vague they bleed into other creatures, and some have a definite form that stayed locked to one known design.

  • @wyvern723
    @wyvern723 3 года назад +3

    Hearing the Greek pronunciation of Circe makes me happy.

  • @ellis8872
    @ellis8872 3 года назад +21

    Could you do a video about zombies. I really want to learn more about them. And where and when they were first thought off and when they became popular

  • @tristancreed
    @tristancreed 3 года назад +1

    Picture a 9 year old boy that's reading Greek, Roman, and Egyptian myths out of a book from the school library before bed time. That was pretty much my childhood and this took me back to it. Also, I love the new tattoos. 🙂

  • @zenebean
    @zenebean 3 года назад +28

    I love the idea of nice, unintentionally harmful sirens.
    Sirens: look a new audience sailing our way! Time to try out our latest composition *start singing*
    Sailors: *get so distracted they crash ship*
    Sirens: ...sh*t

    • @jamillatorres7226
      @jamillatorres7226 3 года назад +4

      Me, who has an awful attention span and can only focus for a few minutes at best: *i have no such weaknesses*

  • @sgnurse2
    @sgnurse2 3 года назад +15

    Woowww, great Monstrum episode..!!!!
    Can you do Arica Monster or Quetzalcoatl: the Serpent God next..!??? PLS!!!!!!!

  • @carolinemarren1089
    @carolinemarren1089 3 года назад +2

    Can you please consider doing a video on the Empousa or any other creatures associated with Hecate?

  • @rosierose8549
    @rosierose8549 3 года назад +3

    So glad I found this channel! So many great series!

  • @annaangelic2318
    @annaangelic2318 3 года назад +5

    Like 20% of modern interpretations of monsters seem to be "women bad". Iconic of women to then either embrace or understand these monsters. Thank you so much for these videos!

  • @theguyishere249
    @theguyishere249 3 года назад +33

    Could you do an episode on ether Cthulhu or the incubus and the succubus. Also the Love your videos keep up the good work.

    • @prinsesbibitje
      @prinsesbibitje 3 года назад +2

      Cthulhu! I see that name popping up so much, I'd like some decent explanation from dr. Z.

    • @theguyishere249
      @theguyishere249 3 года назад +1

      @@prinsesbibitje Do you know who cthulhu is.

    • @theguyishere249
      @theguyishere249 3 года назад +1

      @Himangshu Sekhar yes I know what cthulhu. I was asking the other guy if he knew.

    • @prinsesbibitje
      @prinsesbibitje 3 года назад +1

      @@theguyishere249 No, I did not know. That why I wanted to learn from the good doctor. At least now I have an inkling thanks to the kind person above.

  • @Ruby321123
    @Ruby321123 3 года назад +2

    Perfect timing! I just re-watched 5 or so old Monstrum episodes this morning! 😀 Here goes with this one!

  • @Playlists-That-I-Like-To-Make
    @Playlists-That-I-Like-To-Make 3 месяца назад +1

    I hope the original sirens come back because, I LOVE the original designs.

  • @ReineGalena
    @ReineGalena 3 года назад +71

    🤔 This seems a lot about sailors sleeping around during their travels. Like a warning about following promiscuous women or something. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    • @Vox-Multis
      @Vox-Multis 3 года назад +19

      That seems to be an age-old theme when it comes to sailors.

    • @DarkLadyJade
      @DarkLadyJade 3 года назад +14

      If the sailors sleep around why are the women the promiscuous ones?

    • @Vox-Multis
      @Vox-Multis 3 года назад +17

      @@DarkLadyJade Double standards, of course.

  • @kimberlyterasaki4843
    @kimberlyterasaki4843 3 года назад +3

    Weirdly enough, I was thinking just as I was waking up how cool a Siren video of Monstrum would be. Open RUclips to find this.

  • @mm3fredeluces490
    @mm3fredeluces490 3 года назад +1

    Love your channel of mythical creatures and legends.

  • @willsteven4560
    @willsteven4560 3 года назад +2

    Dr. you're the best. "I'm an adult." I say that all the time. I love how in depth you get with your research.

  • @anastasiagiannoulatou7460
    @anastasiagiannoulatou7460 3 года назад +10

    Something also very interesting is that in Greek Mythology it is mentioned that there was a prophecy about the sirens that said that there would be a man that would "defeat" the sirens and would leave their island unharmed (meaning Odysseus). It (the prophecy) even mentioned that if this happened again (someone leaving their island unharmed, after Odysseus) the sirens would "die". Years after Odysseus "escaped" them, Jason another Greek hero had to go on a quest to find the "Golden Fleece". On his way back home he had to pass by the island of the sirens and face the sirens themselves. On his ship, among others, was Orpheus, that was said to have the most melodic voice and play the sweetest music. It is said that even the most wild animals were calm in his presence. So, while the sirens were singing to lure Jason's men to the bottom of the sea, Orpheus played his lyre. His music was more sweet, melodic and louder than that of the sirens. The sirens did not succeed in capturing Jason's crew and after Jason's ship sailed away unharmed, it is said that the sirens died, by throwing themselved into the sea.
    That is another story with the sirens of the Greek Mythology (not sure if I said everything correctly, but anyway, I think that is it :)).

  • @shoto7478
    @shoto7478 3 года назад +5

    Me: sees thumbnail
    Also me: y’all ever heard of spirited away

  • @colehalford1893
    @colehalford1893 3 года назад +2

    Thanks for an amazing video. Plus, 🤟 the outtakes! 🤘

  • @slapmallow69
    @slapmallow69 3 года назад

    just subscribed! this is amazing and i love the depth you go through in each segment

  • @lizerdspherex
    @lizerdspherex 3 года назад +4

    One of my favorite moments with Sirens was in Samurai Jack when they had hypnotized Jack and were attempting to do the same with The Scotsman, but he was immune to their song thanks to his loyalty to his wife.

    • @DarkLadyJade
      @DarkLadyJade 3 года назад +3

      I remember that. He said their singing sounded like someone stepping on a cat. Always cracked me up.

  • @jacobmcclellan7399
    @jacobmcclellan7399 3 года назад +3

    Love the series. The Monstrum team produces great, informative videos!!! I don't know what plans you all have for werewolves but I look forward to that one, after reading up on the Beast of Gevaudan and it's likely influence on werewolf myths!

  • @qe7ze9uq5n
    @qe7ze9uq5n 3 года назад +2

    I always look forward to your videos 🙂 So, most definitely would love for you to post more often.

  • @robbabcock_
    @robbabcock_ 3 года назад

    Awesome! I was hoping for another episode soon and here we are!

  • @drsharkboy6568
    @drsharkboy6568 3 года назад +17

    Yo, imagine a siren singing near roads or airports.

    • @pepesylvia848
      @pepesylvia848 3 года назад +1

      Siren: *sweetest song in the universe
      Airline pilot: did anyone hear anything over the jet engine? No? Me neither

  • @otakuribo
    @otakuribo 3 года назад +18

    Irish seal-people?! You mean _selkies?!_ :D Probably my favorite mythical sea-folk!

    • @DavyHulme
      @DavyHulme 3 года назад +5

      I always thought Selkies were Scottish in origin, from the Northern Isles

    • @marim0y
      @marim0y 3 года назад +2

      Same!

    • @otakuribo
      @otakuribo 3 года назад +1

      @@DavyHulme I just looked them up again, and you're right!
      I was first introduced to the selkies via _Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles._ Playing that game together with my sibs was such an important part of growing up, so selkies are very near to my heart ❤️

    • @marlonmoncrieffe0728
      @marlonmoncrieffe0728 3 года назад +4

      🎬 Have any of you seen that great and Oscar-nominated animated film, 'Song of the Sea' (2015), about Selkies?
      🇮🇪 The movie is an Irish production by Tomm Moore, who made the earlier hit, 'The Secret of Kells' (2009) and also stars the great actor, Brendan Gleeson.

    • @DavyHulme
      @DavyHulme 3 года назад +1

      @@marlonmoncrieffe0728 I haven't seen either film yet, though the 'Song of the Sea' sounds familiar. I'll look for them, tx for the heads up.
      I have seen the actual manuscript 'The Book of the Kells', at Trinity, Dublin, though it was a long time ago now, it's one of those things that stays with you. The college buildings are fascinating too.

  • @iamclassicforlife
    @iamclassicforlife 3 года назад +1

    You pronounced Circe perfectly! OMG, that honestly made my day! lol

  • @a_e_hilton
    @a_e_hilton 3 года назад +1

    Don't you just love it when Dr. Z says "and even death" with a massive grin on her face

  • @chrskrpp5506
    @chrskrpp5506 3 года назад +7

    Wait. Isn't calling someone a "siren" still a complement for having a good singing voice? I definitely heard it at music school

    • @balanc-joy9187
      @balanc-joy9187 2 года назад +1

      At times, yes, I've heard it too. It can also in general mean that a woman is enticing in some way, usually for her beauty. It depends on the context I suppose, on whether it's meant well or as an insult.

  • @medusesti
    @medusesti 3 года назад +5

    Feathers in her arms? Dr. Zarka is clearly a siren

    • @kumfaalbert3814
      @kumfaalbert3814 3 года назад +1

      Well I wouldn't mind falling into her melodic trap

  • @mikegould6590
    @mikegould6590 3 года назад

    So happy to see more Monstrum. Welcome back Dr Z

  • @jonwashburn7999
    @jonwashburn7999 3 года назад

    Thanks. Was waiting for a new upload from you. Interesting lore on the sirens.

  • @lilydunnle8393
    @lilydunnle8393 3 года назад +12

    I've never heard 'Circe' pronounced like 'Keer-Kee' I've always heard it 'Sir-cee'

    • @heneralantonioluna8725
      @heneralantonioluna8725 3 года назад

      Like Cersei, I teach mythology and history, I always check my pronunciation first

    • @johng7003
      @johng7003 3 года назад +4

      The "Keer-Kee" is actually more accurate to Greek though aka how she should be called. Both Ancient and Modern Greeks call her Κίρκη (Keer-Kee) and not Σιρση (Sir-cee) at all. This is probably because the Latin letter "K" (Kay) which is Καππα (Kappa) in Greek could also be said in names in Latin as "C" so they probably thought it was more fitting to them on calling her Circe (Sir-cee) instead of Kirke (Keer-kee). As a Greek I was pleasantly suprised hearing her pronouncing it like that.

  • @thomascoolidge2161
    @thomascoolidge2161 3 года назад +6

    Bought time you came back Dr Emily! Was missing Monstrum.. also just noticed the tats on your arms.. is there anywhere you have pics of what they are?

  • @marcosasisrodriguez
    @marcosasisrodriguez 3 года назад

    I love this series!! Specially the interpretation behind all these creatures!! Amazing 😁😁

  • @risithmethsilu4928
    @risithmethsilu4928 3 года назад

    Thank you for making videos like this

  • @grapeshot
    @grapeshot 3 года назад +32

    There was a time when Whitney Houston had that voice.

    • @fallenafterling4128
      @fallenafterling4128 3 года назад

      Who?

    • @grapeshot
      @grapeshot 3 года назад +1

      @@fallenafterling4128 Whitney Houston look her up. That's what Google is for.

    • @heneralantonioluna8725
      @heneralantonioluna8725 3 года назад +4

      @@fallenafterling4128 you don't know Whitney? And IIIIIIIIII!!!! WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUOOOAAHH

    • @FolkBoyify
      @FolkBoyify 3 года назад

      Ah, too soon.. Not really

  • @samtepal3892
    @samtepal3892 3 года назад +21

    Emily : I am an adult.
    Viewers : *ARE YOU SURE ABOUT DAT?*

  • @ArchFiendFolio
    @ArchFiendFolio 3 года назад

    Anther great vid, thank you much Dr. And team

  • @emilenev8762
    @emilenev8762 3 года назад

    For real love this channel its so undertated.

  • @andrewb.8184
    @andrewb.8184 3 года назад +3

    I'd really love to see you cover the rougarou! It seems like such an interesting mingling of French, Acadian and American folklore

    • @marlonmoncrieffe0728
      @marlonmoncrieffe0728 3 года назад

      😩 There was a HORRIBLE episode of 'Supernatural' about one!
      🤔 ...And there was a terrible episode of 'Supernatural' about sirens too, now that I think about it...

  • @Vibranium_man
    @Vibranium_man 3 года назад +4

    Can you do a video about the kelpie, a Gaelic creature that can transform into a horse or humans depending on the sources?

  • @stuartbrownlee3108
    @stuartbrownlee3108 3 года назад

    I fainally managed to go into town today - and that town is Northampton, which is mentioned in Alan Moore's "Jerusalem". I did not know if I could get a jumbo hotdog from a place which vends these in the market square, but happily I could. My next mission was to go into WHSmith to see if I could get "Fortean Times" (yeppers, I did wear a face mask in order to do that). Happily, aye, I did get the August edition and things seemed more normal than they have done for millennia. After that I headed up to 234 Wellingborough Road, which is where a demigod, the Tapis lives. When I reach that place, I will bow my head and say "Muybayetheth Tapis". It would take some time for me to explain about the Tapis, but....I love this channel, and what I do not find in FT, I will find in this. What you create dissipates the dreariness of (current) contemporary existence. Also, when I got back from town, I listened to the Godzillla CD that treats with stuff from 1985-1995 which has that utterly wonderful Mothra Song in it. That song has Malaysian lyrics and Japanese lyrics, and it is wonderful. Thank you.

  • @deadchannelihaveanewchanne4529
    @deadchannelihaveanewchanne4529 3 года назад +2

    All i know to the legend of the siren is their voice can hypnotize you but don't worry just wear earplugs you'll be fine! also i love watching Monstrum!

  • @valentinian
    @valentinian 3 года назад +5

    I’m confused I thought that Odysseus and his crew hung out with Calypso for an extended period, not Circe..

    • @user-sleepingpills
      @user-sleepingpills 2 года назад +1

      They hung out with Kirki for 1 year(both Odysseus and his crew) while Odysseus stayed with Calypso gor 7 years alone(she wouldnt let him go because love) I also think that Odysseus had a relationship with Kirki, so.... yeah

  • @wildcards163
    @wildcards163 3 года назад +4

    This reminds me of harpies. Bird people I believe.

  • @madmonkee6757
    @madmonkee6757 3 года назад +1

    I love that you pronounce Κίρκη correctly (or almost correctly. In modern Greek, both vowels sound the same /kir ki/ but ancient Greek was weirder.)

  • @BlackFireLily714
    @BlackFireLily714 3 года назад

    The haunting song and music at the beginning in the background is WAY too good. Way to go audio people!!!

  • @TheFunwichHorror
    @TheFunwichHorror 3 года назад +45

    Ah yes, "The Odyssey" or as I like to call it, "A war veteran goes home and kills a bunch of simps"

  • @HighLordSythen
    @HighLordSythen 3 года назад +4

    The earlier incarnations look like a musical band of harpies.

  • @amberwixtrom6814
    @amberwixtrom6814 3 года назад

    I love these videos so much!!! My husband and I have watched all of them and love the exploration of historical and cultural context for each creature! Have you thought about doing a video on jumbies?

  • @mercedesdrake9113
    @mercedesdrake9113 3 года назад

    ok i have watched every monstrum video in these last 2 weeks and i want more! more monsters!

  • @mekatronikachmadi5472
    @mekatronikachmadi5472 3 года назад +13

    so,, Siren are Harpies with sing talent?
    or they are actually unrelated at all?

  • @morrischen5628
    @morrischen5628 3 года назад +56

    Wait did Dr. Zarka get inked overnight??? Inked feminist baddies with degrees where y'all at?!

    • @scaper8
      @scaper8 3 года назад +11

      I was thinking the same thing. Like, "Wait, did Dr. Z. get some tattoos?! Cool."

    • @romanchukanov4454
      @romanchukanov4454 3 года назад +10

      Went down the comments to see if i was the only one wondering. Can't stop looking - are those feathers?

    • @SeraphimCramer
      @SeraphimCramer 3 года назад +6

      I was wondering, too! If she did, it's very appropriate that her new feather sleeves make their debut in a video about bird women.

    • @Luzarioth
      @Luzarioth 3 года назад +2

      Feminist ? I hope not, she doesn't strike me as that much of a sexist.

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  3 года назад +74

      I’m not cool enough to have this many tattoos. These are temporary. And yes, they are feathers as a nod to the episode.-Dr. Z

  • @rachaelversaw
    @rachaelversaw 3 года назад

    Love these videos so much!

  • @Jsmith9055
    @Jsmith9055 3 года назад

    This is definitely the best monster/mythology channels on youtube. Dr. Zarka is obviously brilliant as well as gorgeous.

  • @Alcides2584
    @Alcides2584 3 года назад +6

    I would like you to investigate, the Venezuelan folk legend. "El Silbon". The one who whistles

  • @luanaudio
    @luanaudio 3 года назад +9

    Another theory: what if sirens were so skilled musically and knowledgeable that men just died out of envy? It's consistent with what I can observe of men's behavior today 😂

  • @LuisFernando-vj8oe
    @LuisFernando-vj8oe 3 года назад +1

    FINALLY!!!! I love you Emily keep existing and making my life better

  • @suklachowdhury557
    @suklachowdhury557 3 года назад

    This channel is bloody underrated

  • @Ryan-qo4pv
    @Ryan-qo4pv 3 года назад +19

    That era = sirens
    21st century = gold diggers

  • @realThomastheCat
    @realThomastheCat 3 года назад +8

    Back in the days when Thots killed their Simps.

  • @annhitchcock3093
    @annhitchcock3093 2 года назад

    I just have to agree with everyone asking about Harpies as well. I love these posts! Thank you for the intelligent delivery.

  • @WeatherManChad
    @WeatherManChad 3 года назад +1

    I love the pennywise smile in the background :D