The siren birds look cool, flying around free in the sky. Odysseus is the hero we hear about tied to the mast, getting to listen to their siren song. But better to be the oarsmen. Heads down, doing the work, no distractions. Sometimes we have to ignore the sights and sounds out the window, or in our head, and just row!
The vase is an Attic red-figure stamnos from Vulci c. 480-450 BCE depicting the myth of Odysseus tied to his ship’s mast in order to resist the enchanting song of the Sirens. It’s in the British Museum collection. The episode occurs during the hero’s long voyage home to Ithaka following the end of the Trojan War.
Lots more on the legend with other paintings: https://myfairyland.jimdofree.com/mermaid/ulysses-and-the-sirens/