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Margaret Atwood's Siren Song

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Margaret Atwood’s “Siren Song” Interpretation In the Greek mythology and in Homer’s Odyssey, the Sirens are featured as a trio of monsters who are known to drown sailors with their song. The sailors, lured by the Siren’s beautiful singing, jump off their ship and eventually drown, drift to shore, and then get consumed by the monsters. Margaret Atwood’s “Siren Song” talks from the perspective of one of the sirens - which one, we do not know - and develops the character and personality of the Siren, giving a commentary about masculinity and heroism as well. The Sirens have always been seen as monsters in literature and usually the Sirens are featured as a group, not individually. Margaret Atwood uses the freedom as a writer to make this poem …show more content…

In the first three stanzas, it talks about the song that the Sirens presumably sing to the sailors. “This is the one song everyone would like to learn: the song that is irresistible: the song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons even though they see the beached skulls ” The Sirens only have one song, but it is so enchanting that entire ships of men, swim to their inevitable death. “Irresistible” suggests that the song contains what the sailors want, a wanting so strong that they overcome their fear of death. “The song nobody knows because anyone who had heard it is dead.” The literal translation of this line simply means that nobody has ever lived to tell the tale about the Sirens, emphasizing the danger of their song. Additionally, the last three stanzas reveal information about the Siren song. The Siren says, “I will tell the secret to you, only to you...The song is a cry for help: Help me! Only you, only you can, you are unique.” The song is a classic cry for help from a damsel in distress - a cry for a hero, that only he (in ancient Greek context) can save the Siren. The song appeals to the hero personality in the individual song, repeating that “only you” can help the Sirens. The classic Greek hero is filled with hubris and excessive pride, and by flattering them can the Siren’s song lure them to their death. “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood is an intriguing poem about a Siren and the song that the Siren’s sing. At first, the poem looks to be a first person account of what is like to be a Siren and what the song is about. However, a closer look reveals a commentary of the Greek hero and how heroism can lead to their eventual

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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

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The Siren Song is a poem written by Margaret Atwood. The poem is narrated by sirens who are also the central characters of the poem. Sirens are Greek mythological creatures possessing enchanted voices luring sailors towards them, causing ships to crash on reefs near their island. The sirens were the daughters of the river god Achelous as well as the companions of Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest.

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In the “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood, there is a tremendous use of literary devices to emphasize and create her theme. The theme of the “Siren Song” is one of deception and lies, the speaker talks about how the reader is “unique” (24) and how “only you, only you can” (23) help her. The siren deceives the reader by making him believe that we are the greatest heroes and that only we can save her. The poem is written in the point of view of the siren, this allows the reader to uncover the poem with them which creates a deeper more realistic story. The siren says “will you get me out of this bird suit” (11-12), Atwood’s word choice plays a big part in making the speaking siren sound like a victim that’s trapped in the form of a siren.

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The poem “Sirens Song” alludes to the Sirens of the Odyssey. The Sirens’ portrayal is to deceive as they scheme and seduce men in their direction. The author claims, “The song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons even though they see beached skulls.” In other words,

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Atwood's imagery is feminine and gives a more satirical picture. The siren talks of a "bird suit" (12) and "with these two feathery maniacs" (16) portray humor in this dark poem. The poem also brings in an element of pity and empathy as the siren makes the sailors she is singing too feel bad for her. She sings "I don't enjoy it here" (13) and "I don't enjoy

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Which sets him apart from the Sirens by building up his name. Yet, “Siren Song” by Atwood has a melancholic to seductive tone throughout the piece. An example of this is when the Siren says, "I don't enjoy it here-squatting on this island" (Atwood 13-14). The reader is intended to feel remorse for her. This sets a melancholy or sad tone.

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The purpose of this parallel theme in common is to draw attention to Penelope’s struggles in the time of the Odyssey, which helps the responders to empathize with Penelope during her times of weeping, and distress. Hence Atwood’s modern perspective benefitting contemporary readers to enjoy the concepts and

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