Sirens Margaret Atwood

Greek and Roman mythology is composed of many different gods, goddesses, mermaids, fairies, and many other fictitious creatures. Sirens are a myth included in Greek and Roman mythology known as beautiful creatures with a deadly secret. Although holding the same title, sirens are portrayed a little different between these two religions. In Greek mythology, sirens are portrayed as seductive and dangerous half bird, half woman creatures. Although, in Roman mythology they are portrayed as enticing, irresistible, half woman - half fish, also known as mermaids. 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

The painting and the poem may seem to be polar opposites, but overall express the same desperate and somber mood. In the poem, “Siren Song”, by Margaret Atwood the overall mood is depicted as somber, deceiving, and desperate. Atwood has made one of the three sirens the narrator to make the poem a personal cry for help. “In this poem, the siren explains that the song she is singing in a cry for help; that she isn’t singing to sailors to lure them to their deaths, but because she is trying to be saved”(Free Poem Analysis). It is clearly expressed through the lines, “I don't enjoy it here squatting on this island looking picturesque and mythical with these two feathery maniacs, I don't enjoy singing this trio, fatal and valuable” that the siren is not happy with her lifestyle and wishes to change it. In a way Atwood has made the reader a victim of the siren herself. The last few lines of the poem,stating ,” I will tell the secret to you,to you, only to you. Come closer. This song is a cry for help: Help me!Only you, only you can, you are unique, at last. Alas, it is a boring song but it works every time” can be perceived as perplexing and unnerving. At the end of