Self Control

The lecture notes regarding self control tells of Ulysses and the Sirens.  The story of Ulysses and the Sirens show parallels to the story of Shackleton and his crew.  Ulysses's motivation for getting home was returning to Penelope, while Shackleton and his crew wished to get home to return to their loved ones, among other reasons, as well.  Ulysses and his men would become possessed by sirens on the island and be prevented from eating or sleeping.  Rather than wasting time and panicking, him and the crew worked early while they were in control and not under the Sirens control.  Though Shackleton and his men were not possessed by sirens, they were at the mercy of their environment.  In order for them to succeed in their travels they had to work while the weather allowed them to be in control.  Much like the sirens, the weather often prevented the crew from eating and sleeping when it would have been desirable.  Rather than panicking and giving up both Shackleton's men and Ulysses's men had to use self control to work to the best of their ability when the opportunity presented itself.