At first glance, this photo provokes fear and stress. Scylla is depicted as a terrifying monster that even the gods fear. In the photo, the six heads are illustrated as hyena-like creatures, which causes fear because hyenas are known for their resilience and remarkable ability to hunt prey. However, the most crucial part of this image is Scylla. As seen in the visual, her mouth is open, and she looks prepared for the storm she is causing. Although the viewer can’t see Charybdis, I imagine this image was created to recreate the moment before she swallows Odysseus’ six sailors. The image captures the pure anger and torture Scylla wants to inflict on Odysseus.
Additionally, the treacherous waters add an uneasy feeling, especially considering this image is before 6 men’s death. Another factor that promotes fear and stress is the dark and omniscient colors, especially the ocean. The color of the water seems turquoise, which is somewhat uncommon when illustrating the ocean. Still, it does a fantastic job of rendering the danger the crew is in before settling by Scylla and her wrath.

Odysseus and his men encounter Scylla and Charybdis as they sail through the Strait of Messina. Scylla snatches six of Odysseus’ crewmembers and devours them. This is a tragic and frightening encounter for Odysseus and his men, but it is not due to Scylla being “mad.” She is simply a part of the perilous journey that Odysseus must undertake to return home, and her actions are driven by her nature as a monstrous creature. After researching Scylla and her Greek mythology, the most notable comment on Scylla is that people are quick to label her as malevolent and perilous because they can’t rationalize a monster having human emotions.
Similarly to Prometheus, the giant human-like cyclops that Odysseus killed, because they aren’t as visually appealing or fit into the box of what someone with emotions looks like, they are automatically evil. Although Scylla killed six members, I wonder what could’ve happened if Odysseus and his crew paid respects before trying to conquer the Strait of Messina. Although, as a reader, we don’t get a deep dive into Scylla and why she must protect a specific spot of the Mediterranean Sea, as humans, we could sympathize with her as she constantly defends herself because no one understands her.

Overall, women in literature from ancient Greece are misinterpreted. They are constantly degraded and are assumed to be unworthy enough to have any jurisdiction over their lives and freedom. In many Greek Mythology, women are used for their voices and are often depicted as muses. However, in The Odyssey, “her voice is puppylike, but she is dangerous; even a god would be afraid of her”(12.85-87). Women were highly objectified in this period, and their looks and wisdom were the key factors that determined their power.  Later in the passage, her disturbing looks are discussed, specifically the 6 necks with a “gruesome head on each, and three rows of crowded teeth in each face, pregnant with death” (12.90-91). The author criticizes her looks, down to her teeth.