Women of the Sea; Muses of the Ages
Mermaids, sirens, selkies, water nymphs – female mythological figures of the sea were a source of both inspiration and fear for seagoing
men over hundreds of years. Perhaps they represented the allure of the open sea, the way it beckoned to those young men who left life at
home behind.
The sea is a giver of life, and taking to the sea could be a road to prosperity during periods when times were tough. Yet the sea is a
dangerous place and every sea voyage could end in peril. Likewise, there are stories of beautiful sirens singing an irresistible song, or mermaids promising romantic bliss to a naïve sailor. In many of these stories if the sailor succumbed to her call, he was dragged to the bottom of the sea and drowned!
(Opens as a PDF)
http://www.medievalists.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Women-of-the-sea-Proof.pdf
= new reply since forum marked as read
