Mythological
Syrinx
Nymph of Greek and Latin mythology whose name is mentioned in Purgatorio in reference to the song that Mercury used to put Argus to sleep.
Profile
Syrinx is a figure from classical mythology recalled by Dante in Purgatorio, XXXII, v. 65, where the poet speaks of the «song that told of the loves of Pan with the nymph Syrinx», used by Mercury to overcome the vigilance of Argus. The notes to the canto indicate that Argus, the shepherd with a hundred eyes, was set to guard Io, the nymph loved by Jupiter, and that Mercury put him to sleep precisely by narrating, according to the account in the Metamorphoses, the loves of Pan with Syrinx. Dante's mention does not introduce Syrinx as a character present in the otherworldly journey, but recalls her as a term of mythological comparison to describe his own falling asleep.
In the text
Linked verses
1 verses| Cantica | Canto | Verso | Testo | Open verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purgatory | Canto XXXII | 65 | li occhi spietati udendo di Siringa, | Open verse |