The Role Of The Sirens In William Butler's Odyssey

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. The women were banished to the Li Galli islands, where they would spend their lives singing to passing sailors. These characters from ancient Greek mythology have been alluded

Butler’s Odyssey has a heroic tone, a line to support this idea is when Odysseus is telling his men to “bind [him] as [he] stands upright, with a bond so fast that [he] cannot possibly break away” (Butler). In this example, Odysseus is sacrificing himself for the sake of his crew, and so he can hear the Siren’s song. Another example is “they sang, renowned Odysseus, honor to the Achaean name” (Butler). In that part of the text, Odysseus is addressed authoritatively. The words renowned, and honor, present a heroic tone while reading. 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. However, the seductive tone is introduced when she says, "I will tell the secret to you-to you, only to you" (Atwood 19-20). Atwood sets a slow and seductive tone by using words meant directly to the reader. The tone of the Siren captures the reader until it is too late for them; it develops the Siren by showing how manipulative and strong-willed they are just by using their voice. It is visible that both authors use tone to develop their