As a psychodynamic psychotherapist with extensive experience working with clients from multicultural backgrounds in London, I have often reflected on the power of myths and stories to illuminate the complexities of the human mind. Among these, the tale of Ulysses and the Sirens from Homer’s Odyssey has always stood out to me. It is a story that transcends time and culture, offering profound insights into the struggles we all face when navigating desire, temptation, and self-mastery.
In my work, I frequently encounter clients grappling with their own internal “Sirens”—the seductive pull of unconscious desires, fantasies, and defences that both entice and threaten them. These themes are universal, yet they manifest uniquely in each individual, influenced by personal history, cultural identity, and the broader societal context. The Sirens’ song, with its simultaneous allure and danger, provides a vivid metaphor for the challenges of self-understanding and growth.
This story is not just a reflection on Ulysses’ journey but also on the journeys I have witnessed in the therapeutic space. It draws on both classical Freudian theory, with its focus on the unconscious and the dynamic interplay of desire and restraint, and British Psychoanalytic traditions, which emphasise the role of internal relationships and the search for authenticity. By weaving these theoretical perspectives into the narrative, I hope to offer a lens through which readers can explore their own encounters with the Sirens of their lives.
Ultimately, I wrote this story to bridge the ancient and the contemporary, the mythical and the psychological. Whether in the context of myth or modern psychotherapy, the challenges of self-awareness, integration, and growth remain strikingly similar. Through Ulysses’ struggle, we are reminded that the process of confronting our inner worlds—though often painful and fraught with tension—can lead to resilience, transformation, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. This story is an invitation to embark on that journey, both as a therapist and as a fellow traveller through the complexities of the human experience.
Ulysses stood upon the deck of his ship, the wind whipping against his face as the warnings of Circe reverberated in his mind: “Beware the Sirens, Ulysses. Their song will not merely call you; it will unearth the deepest longings of your soul, longings that could destroy you. If you are to pass through their waters, you must confront their allure with cunning and restraint.”
This was no ordinary caution against external dangers. The Sirens, Circe explained, were as much a projection of Ulysses’ internal desires as they were external threats. What awaited him was not simply a battle for survival but an encounter with the shadowy depths of his own psyche.
The episode of the Sirens has endured as one of the most captivating moments in Homer’s Odyssey, not only because of its vivid imagery but because it encapsulates a universal psychological truth. Through a psychoanalytic lens, the story reveals the eternal struggle between desire and restraint, impulse and reason, self-destruction and self-mastery. By examining this tale through the dual perspectives of Classical Freudian theory and British Psychoanalysis, we can uncover its deeper meanings and relevance, even to contemporary therapeutic practice.
Freudian Foundations: The Sirens as the Voice of the Id
Freud’s structural model of the mind—the id, ego, and superego—provides a powerful framework for understanding the Sirens. The id is the repository of primal desires and instincts, seeking only gratification without concern for consequence. It is the untamed, unconscious force that propels humans towards pleasure, regardless of morality or reason. The Sirens, with their intoxicating song, embody the voice of the id.
As Ulysses’ ship approaches the Sirens’ island, their song begins to fill the air. It is no ordinary melody; it is a voice that speaks to his innermost desires, his unspoken fantasies, and his longing for a life unburdened by the trials of his journey. The Sirens do not merely sing—they mirror Ulysses’ own psychic vulnerabilities.
“Come to us, Ulysses,” they sing. “Hear the stories of your glory, the praise of your courage. Relinquish the struggle; here, you will find peace.” Their call promises relief from the burdens of leadership, heroism, and fidelity. It offers a seductive fantasy of eternal adulation and comfort, free from the demands of reality.
The danger lies in the total surrender to these desires. In Freudian terms, succumbing to the Sirens would represent a collapse of the ego’s ability to mediate between the id’s impulses and the constraints of the external world. The result would be annihilation—not only of the self but of the journey, the purpose, and the relationships that tether Ulysses to reality.
The Ego’s Defence: Ulysses and the Mast
Faced with the inevitability of the Sirens’ call, Ulysses devises a strategy that reflects his psychological astuteness. He orders his men to plug their ears with wax, rendering them immune to the song, and to bind him tightly to the mast, ensuring that he cannot act on his impulses, no matter how overwhelming they become.
In this act, Ulysses symbolises the ego—the part of the psyche that negotiates between the demands of the id, the moral imperatives of the superego, and the constraints of reality.
By binding himself to the mast, Ulysses acknowledges the inevitability of desire. He does not deny the allure of the Sirens but instead constructs a framework to contain it. This act is a form of self-regulation that reflects the ego’s role in maintaining equilibrium within the psyche. He understands that resisting the Sirens’ call through sheer willpower would be impossible; instead, he externalises his restraint through the ropes that tether him, ensuring that his physical freedom is limited while his consciousness remains engaged.
The mast itself can be seen as a symbol of the rigid structure provided by reason, morality, and the conscious awareness of one’s vulnerabilities. The ropes, digging into his skin as he struggles, serve as a reminder that the process of managing desire is not without pain or conflict. The act of restraint, while necessary, is also deeply uncomfortable—a testament to the tension inherent in the human condition.
The Superego’s Silent Role
Freud’s superego, the internalised moral conscience, also plays a subtle but essential role in this episode. Ulysses’ decision to confront the Sirens is not merely an indulgence in curiosity; it is rooted in his responsibility as a leader and a hero. By hearing the Sirens’ song without succumbing, Ulysses aims to gain knowledge and mastery over forces that have destroyed countless others. His choice reflects the superego’s influence: the internalised values and sense of duty that compel him to rise above mere survival and strive for a higher purpose.
At the same time, the superego’s demands create tension. Ulysses is not immune to the temptation of abandoning his journey, his men, and his responsibilities. The Sirens’ song amplifies his internal conflict, exposing the fragility of his moral convictions. In this way, the episode mirrors the psychic struggles faced by all individuals as they navigate the competing demands of desire, morality, and reality.
British Psychoanalysis: The Sirens as Internal Objects
While Freudian theory offers a robust framework for understanding the Sirens as representations of the id, British Psychoanalysis provides an additional layer of complexity. Influenced by figures such as Melanie Klein and Donald Winnicott, British Psychoanalysis focuses on the role of internal objects—mental representations of significant relationships—in shaping the psyche.
From this perspective, the Sirens can be understood as internal objects that embody Ulysses’ deepest fears and desires. Their song does not merely lure him with promises of external gratification; it resonates with his internal world, evoking memories of past relationships, unfulfilled longings, and unresolved conflicts.
Klein’s concept of the paranoid-schizoid position is particularly relevant here. In this early stage of psychic development, the mind splits experiences into idealised and persecutory objects, struggling to integrate them into a cohesive whole. The Sirens, in their seductive yet destructive duality, reflect this split. They offer Ulysses an idealised vision of fulfilment while simultaneously threatening to annihilate him.
Winnicott’s ideas about the true self and false self also shed light on Ulysses’ predicament. The Sirens’ song appeals to the false self—the part of the psyche that seeks to escape the difficulties of reality by retreating into fantasy. Ulysses’ decision to remain tied to the mast, despite the agony it causes, represents his commitment to the true self—the authentic, integrated identity that can only emerge through the acceptance of life’s complexities and challenges.
The Sirens as a Mirror: Desire and Nostalgia
The psychological significance of the Sirens lies not only in their seductive power but also in their ability to act as a mirror for Ulysses’ inner world. Their song is uniquely tailored to him, reflecting his personal longings and vulnerabilities. This is a crucial insight from both Freudian and British Psychoanalytic perspectives: desire is always subjective, shaped by one’s history, relationships, and unconscious fantasies.
For Ulysses, the Sirens’ song evokes a profound nostalgia—a longing for the simpler, more glorious days of his past. It speaks to his yearning for the comforts of home, the love of Penelope, and the admiration of his peers. Yet it also exposes his darker desires: the temptation to abandon his responsibilities, to indulge in the pursuit of pleasure, and to escape the burdens of heroism. The Sirens’ song reveals the duality of human desire: the yearning for connection and fulfilment, alongside the pull toward self-destruction and abandonment of responsibility.
In this way, the Sirens function as a psychological reverie, a space where Ulysses is forced to confront the complexities of his inner life. Their song, while dangerous, is also revelatory. It compels Ulysses to acknowledge the parts of himself he might otherwise suppress—the grief for what he has lost, the weight of his ambition, and the fragility of his moral resolve. This confrontation is not an act of defeat but of growth. By listening to the Sirens yet refusing to act on their call, Ulysses learns to integrate these disparate aspects of himself, emerging stronger and more self-aware.
The Crew and the Role of Denial
While Ulysses confronts the Sirens’ song head-on, his crew adopts a different approach: they block their ears with wax, shielding themselves from temptation. This act can be interpreted as a form of denial, a defence mechanism that Freud described as the refusal to acknowledge certain aspects of reality in order to avoid psychic conflict.
From a Kleinian perspective, the crew’s denial can be seen as a form of splitting, a defence in which the mind separates “good” and “bad” experiences to protect itself from overwhelming anxiety. By cutting themselves off from the Sirens entirely, the crew avoids the psychic turmoil that Ulysses must endure. However, this also means they forgo the opportunity for growth and self-discovery that comes from engaging with one’s unconscious.
This contrast between Ulysses and his crew underscores the tension between avoidance and confrontation in the human psyche. While denial can provide temporary relief, true psychological resilience often requires the courage to face one’s inner conflicts, even when they are painful or unsettling.
The Sirens and the Therapeutic Encounter
The story of Ulysses and the Sirens holds profound relevance for the practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy. In therapy, clients are often drawn to their own “Sirens”—unconscious desires, fantasies, and defences that both allure and threaten them. The therapeutic space serves as the metaphorical mast, a secure yet challenging environment where these desires can be explored and understood without overwhelming the client.
As a psychodynamic psychotherapist working in London with a diverse, multicultural client base, I often encounter the universal themes reflected in the Sirens’ tale. Clients bring with them their unique cultural histories, personal traumas, and relational patterns, all of which shape their internal “songs.” For some, these songs may represent unresolved grief or unacknowledged anger; for others, they may embody fantasies of success, love, or liberation from oppressive circumstances.
The therapeutic process mirrors Ulysses’ journey: it requires a balance between engagement and containment. Just as Ulysses listens to the Sirens while remaining bound to the mast, clients in therapy are invited to explore their unconscious desires within the safe boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. The therapist, much like Ulysses’ crew, provides support and grounding, ensuring that the client is not overwhelmed by the intensity of their inner world.
The Multicultural Dimension: Reimagining the Sirens
Working with clients from a multicultural background adds a rich layer of complexity to the Sirens’ metaphor. In a city like London, where cultural identities intersect and collide, the “song” of the Sirens often reflects not only individual desires but also the collective forces of culture, tradition, and societal expectations.
For example, a client from a collectivist culture might struggle with the Siren-like pull of individualism, yearning for personal freedom while feeling bound by familial and communal obligations. Conversely, a client raised in a highly individualistic society might feel drawn to the Sirens of conformity and belonging, longing for connection in a world that emphasises independence.
In these cases, the therapeutic task involves helping clients navigate the tensions between their cultural identities and personal desires. The Sirens’ song becomes a lens through which they can examine the conflicting forces within themselves, integrating these aspects into a cohesive and authentic sense of self.
Integration and Growth: The End of the Sirens’ Song
As Ulysses’ ship finally passes beyond the reach of the Sirens, their song fades into silence. Exhausted but intact, Ulysses is untied from the mast. He has survived not because he denied the Sirens’ power, but because he faced it directly, contained it, and refused to act on its destructive potential.
This moment represents a critical turning point in Ulysses’ journey, not just as a hero but as a human being. He has confronted his unconscious desires, navigated the tension between impulse and restraint, and emerged with a deeper understanding of himself. The Sirens, once a symbol of danger, become a testament to his resilience and growth.
In the same way, psychodynamic psychotherapy invites clients to engage with their own Sirens—the unconscious forces that shape their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. By exploring these forces within the therapeutic relationship, clients can develop greater self-awareness, integrate conflicting aspects of their psyche, and move toward a more authentic and fulfilling way of being.
As a therapist with extended experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds, I am continually struck by the universality of this process. Whether shaped by personal history, cultural identity, or societal pressures, the Sirens’ call is a part of every human journey. By listening to this call—without succumbing to it—we can transform its seductive power into a source of insight, strength, and growth.
In the story of the Sirens, as in life, the greatest danger is not the song itself but the failure to confront it. By tethering himself to the mast, Ulysses teaches us that the path to self-mastery lies not in denial or avoidance, but in the courage to face our deepest desires and integrate them into the fabric of our being. In this way, the Sirens’ song becomes not a trap, but a catalyst for transformation—a lesson that resonates as deeply in the consulting room as it does on the mythic seas of Homer’s Odyssey.
By Ari Sotiriou M.A. psychotherapist