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
to the crew, jerking my brows; but they bent steady to the oars. Then Perimedes got to his feet, he and Eurylochus and passed more lines about to hold me still. So all rowed on, until the sirens dropped under the sea rim, and their singing dwindled away” (Homer 123-131). Sirens being a powerful enemy to weak minded people Odysseus held his voice from calling out and passed through the
In The Odyssey, Homer uses Odysseus’ point of view to describe the way the Sirens sing. According to Odysseus, the Sirens “burst into their high, thrilling song.” Odysseus portrays the Sirens as horrible, undesirable singers which reveals to the readers that Odysseus and his men do not appreciate the usage of their singing. Curious Odysseus decides to listen to their song anyways. Despite their appearance, the Sirens manages to lure Odysseus under their spell so that “the heart inside [him] throbbed to listen longer.”
Odysseus did this and luckily none of his men heard the song. Circe revealed, “There is a great heap of dead men's bones lying all around, with the flesh still rotting off them”(Homer 12). Odysseus could have avoided the sirens completely and not put himself or his men at any risk. He should have communicated with his crew, while using his better-judgment to move past his need to hear the song. Odysseus is a leader, this means that he should be selfless when it comes to protecting his crew, however he doesn’t exhibit this skill at any point in The Odyssey.
“Every man needs his siren to check his courage and strength” – Dejan Stojanovic --. Stojanovic views the sirens as women, taking care of their spouses, and giving their spouses what they need in order to be strong. However others may view them differently. Sirens are portrayed differently through the eyes of different people. Odysseus, from “The Odyssey” and Margaret Atwood, author of “Siren Song” portray the sirens differently in their excerpts.
Within both melodies of “Sirens Song,” written by Miss May I and “Song of the Siren,” written by Tim Buckley, the Allusion incorporated with the Sirens effects the ways the Sirens interact in the pieces. The prior knowledge associated with the mythical Sirens of ancient Greece with the two lyrical pieces, “Siren Song” and “Song to the Siren,” both provide the reader with an insight on how seductive and manipulative the divine creatures can be; Furthermore, the insight in this case especially focuses on innocent and naïve mortals such as humans. The deceptively luring Sirens tempt the humans into danger without much true effort as they have done on so numerous occasions. Due to the allusion referenced with the creatures of trickery within the songs provided, the Sirens cause their
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.
Bradlee Dowling Mrs. Hughes Spanish 9, Honors 13 January 2023 Temptation in the Siren’s Songs The siren’s songs in Homer’s The Odyssey, Lowell’s poem, “The Sirens,” and Atwood's poem, “Siren Song” entrance sailors into thinking their island can provide anything, but at what cost? Whether it be songs about rest, knowledge, or glory, the sirens tempt sailors into believing that their melodies can provide mariners deepest desires; however, the lesson these sailors learn is that eventually desire can lead to destruction.
Given the leader he is, when Odysseus and his men encountered the sirens, his men were quick to follow his instructions with diligence. Homer writes, “Sirens weakening a haunting song over the sea we are to shun”(690-691). The sirens sing a songs to lure sailors to their death. Homer writes, “I alone should listen to their song”(693-694). Odysseus knowing what the sirens purpose and having prior knowledge of the things the sirens would say to him.
The passage from Homer’s Odyssey describes how Odysseus and his crew encounters the Sirens. The imagery of the “Helios’ burning rays” demonstrates the destructive nature of the Sirens as they seek to “bound me hand and foot in the tight ship.” As Odysseus gets trapped on the ship, it also represents the overpowering nature of the Sirens; the whole crew is apparently aware of the evils of the Sirens, but they are unable to escape, ultimately becoming the new victims of the Sirens. Furthermore, the irony of the “honeyed voices” further illuminates the presence of an irresistible force. The crew is fully conscious and they sense the dangers present; nonetheless, they are sent toward the “ravishing voices.”
The Odyssey and the poem "Siren Song" both portray sirens ;however, in The Odyssey, the focus is on resolving the "problem" of the sirens, no differently than any other obstacle on his journey, whereas "Siren Song" focuses on the siren as more than merely an obstacle. They share, however, the preying of the siren upon hubris and the desire to be special, as well as, by what happens, illustrating the allure of the sirens in the spite of the pain that may be suffered to get there. The Odyssey initially describes the actions of Odysseus much more than the sirens. The beginning discussion does describe the sirens at all;it merely states that they were approaching the island of the sirens, and then for the first ten lines it does not even begin to consider the sirens.
The Odyssey, one of the oldest texts known to mankind, has made a permanent mark in the heart of Greek art and literature forever. The Odyssey is known as the story of a long forgotten king, Odysseus, exploring the seas, going on his long quest to make his way back to his homeland. One grand encounter Odysseus faces are the mythical creatures known as the sirens. The sirens are notorious for the beautiful song they sing, but this song leaves a deceiving effect on anyone who hears the words, and anyone who’s heard the song has either been killed or does not remember. The only way Odysseus could return home is if he sailed passed the sirens.
In the poem, “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood, the siren narrating is explaining how she is tired of being who she is and wants the reader to help her. In the painting,”The Siren”, by John
Self-Reflection, Why I chose WMU College, and the decisions I had to make in regards to going, was not easy for me. Growing up in a house and a family where I am the first one to go to college, made everything about going to college a challenge. From a young age, going away is something I always wanted. Of course, my dream as a ten-year-old was to go to Michigan to be a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. And then, I took my first biology course my freshman year of high school, and that changed my plans drastically.
