Homer’s Odyssey, a Greek epic poem, introduces mythological creatures, like the sirens, to an audience that becomes highly influenced and mesmerized by these creatures that it inspired new piece of literature. For example, Margaret Atwood dedicates a whole poem to the sirens, which is the first mentioned in The Odyssey as creatures that lures sailors to their death, but ,unlike the Odyssey, it is written in the point of view of the sirens. Even though the depiction of the sirens are distinct and told in different point of view, both pieces of writing, Homer’s Odyssey and Atwood’s “ Siren Song”, have similar elements of cleverness. Homer describes Odysseus as wise, which is a characteristic needs to help the crew escape disasters and deaths.
The Odyssey written by Homer and the Siren Song, by Margaret Atwood both use imagery, symbolism, different tones and different point of view to depict Sirens. The Odyssey surrounds a man who hears the Sirens song, but uses different tactics to survive it, although the Siren Song is written as if the written is a siren trying to prey on the readers. The difference of narrators tells the story of the Sirens in two very different
In the pieces “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates, the authors play on the idea of how a hunger for lust can be a hunt and turn the character into a predator. In order for the predator to achieve this, they must know the prey and it’s weakness very thoroughly. In “Siren Song”, the predator is a siren who attempting to attract men to her position. On the contrary, in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”, the hunter is Arnold Friend, who tries to appeal to Connie’s weaknesses. Both characters have a firm understanding of the prey they are hunting,
These passages describe an encounter with the same mythical creatures, but reflect a different portrayal of the Sirens. Homer’s Odyssey depicts the Sirens as beautiful but menacing beasts that desire to charm sailors with their alluring voices to their awaiting destruction. Margaret Atwood’s poem, “Siren Song,” however, presents them as practically mortal beings and place all fault on the male’s stupidity other than their seductive call. Through a variation in the use of tone,point of view, and irony, Homer and Atwood express the captivating strength of the Sirens.
In the “Odyssey”, Homer introduces the expedition Odysseus goes through to return to his native land. At one point he and his comrades must take the path that leads them to the island of the Sirens. The notorious sirens sing their sickeningly sweet tune to entice men to their eradication. Poet Atwood depicts the sirens in a calamitous facet. Both Homer and Atwood convey the idea that the Sirens pose a detrimental role through the application of imagery and diction.
Myths have been told for centuries in order to explain natural phenomena that frequently involve supernatural creatures or events. When people hear the name Siren they usually think of a beautiful mermaid-like creature that sings alluring melodies, but there is more to it. The myth of the Sirens began when Demeter decided to punish them, the Sirens, after they were unsuccessful in finding her daughter Persephone. Persephone was kidnapped from Earth by Hades and her mother, Demeter, was furious. She gifted Persephone's friends, wings to go and find her, yet they failed.
Sirens are devious creatures found in Greek mythology and The Odyssey. There are many depictions of them with different traits, but none are more well-known than the Sirens from "Siren Song" and The Odyssey. The sirens in "Siren Song" are portrayed to be smarter by being more manipulative and calmer. The Sirens in "Siren Song" are shown to be smarter than the Sirens in The Odyssey by being more manipulative. The Sirens in this poem make the hero feel special and convince them that only they can save the sirens and listen to their song which is said to "Work every time,"(Atwood 27), while the Sirens from The Odyssey are not as convincing, only yelling at people to listen to their songs.
Following, right before the competition starts for Penelope’s heart, Athena “endowed her with immortal grace to hold the eyes of the Akhaians…” (18.241-245). She makes Penelope more beautiful and appealing to the suitors, so that they will be compelled to fight harder. When she comes to greet the suitors, “weakness took those men in the knee joints, their hearts grew faint with lust; not one but swore to god to lay beside her” (18.265-267). What Athena does to Penelope works, and the suitors want to win the competitions so they can sleep with her because of her immortal beauty. Again, a women’s image is being sexualized to please the man.
The Homeric Hymns portray Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis and Hestia as strong females who uphold their own beliefs; challenging the “typical” gender stereotypes of the time period. Women in antiquity were expected to follow and uphold certain societal rules, most of these rules emphasized the gender stereotypes that women were perceived as being. The use of the goddesses powers challenge these societal rules and ideas about women. Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis, and Hestia are portrayed in the Homeric Hymns in contrast to ancient stereotypical roles of women being confined to the household; as a result this contrast emphasizes that women can showcase strength, intelligence, and power within society. A women’s life in antiquity was constricted by
Deception is a recurring theme throughout the novel. The Greeks used numerous tricks and lies when telling their famous myths. Stories such as Europa, Odysseus and Polyphemus, and the legendary Trojan war exemplify the trickery among the gods and goddesses, heroes, monsters, and mortals. In the story of a beautiful maiden, Europa, Zeus fell in love with her because Aphrodite and Cupid shot him in the heart with an arrow of love.
In The Odyssey, by Homer, Athena influences the lives of Odysseus and his family. In Greek mythology, gods challenge and control mortals. Gods also provide support to mortals and thus, mortals depend and act on behalf of the gods and their decisions. Athena, daughter of Zeus, is the goddess of wisdom, and both Telemachus and Odysseus benefit from her power. Athena possesses the ability to disguise herself and others, and this skill allows her to give advice and guidance.
Women are greatly judged by their looks throughout the book. They believe that a woman is successful if any of her direct family have an important position (e.g. King, God) or is a heroic figure. Even though Athena and Calypso are very different, one evident similarity, is their ability to influence and control men. Athena greatly interferes in Telemachus’ and Odysseus’ lives by utilizing her intellect. Her power, influence and control on men can either be seen as a positivity or as a negativity.
11. Prometheus’s counterpart in the Christian faith is Jesus Christ because they both betrayed someone close to them in order to defend mankind. Prometheus was given instructions from Zeus to create mankind, however, Prometheus did not agree with him. Prometheus decided to make humans superior to animals by giving them fire for protection and making man stand upright just the like gods did. These acts of kindness angered Zeus so ties Prometheus to a rock in the Cascade Mountains.
Aphrodite significance to the world of Greek mythology is very different to other gods. How her powers really revolve around who she is and what she did with her life. Aphrodite is a goddess with unique abilities and personality, has a unusual past, an odd diverse family, and some achievements and symbols which really express her. Her abilities and personality are something she has really been able to use to her advantage throughout her life. Something that really gelled how her whole family came to be, by the powers of love making.
One example of this struggle can be seen in Odysseus' encounter with the Sirens. The Sirens are often interpreted as a symbol of the anima, representing the seductive power of the unconscious feminine. Odysseus must resist their enchanting song in order to maintain control over his ship and his crew. This can be seen as a metaphor for his need to resist the pull of his emotional nature and maintain his rationality and self-control.
