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.
I am writing an essay comparing the sirens in The Odyssey and and oh brother Where Art Thou. we have done the Odyssey so much that I know exactly what's going on. when we watch the movie O Brother Where Art Thou
In the Odyssey by Homer, the Sirens are well known singing creatures that have a history of luring men to their deaths. In the Siren Song by Margaret Atwood, the Sirens are elucidating their point of view and the routine they adhere to when the sailors navigate through their waters. Both pieces of writing synthesize the agreement that the Sirens are filled with deceit and like to create commotion. The Odyssey provides insight as to how Odysseus prevails to avoid all the temptations laid out by the Sirens.
The first words of Maxine Kingston’s memoir: “You must not tell anyone” (1) indicates the thematic power of silence that permeates Kingston’s life. When she was young, her mother (Brave Orchid) cut the frenum of her tongue. Her mother claimed to do it because she did not want her daughter to be “tongue tied” (164), but her efforts did not seem to help Kingston who has a “terrible time talking” (165). At first, she did not recognize her silence as a problem. When she realized that she had to talk in school, “the silence became a misery” (166).
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,
Instead, the text talks about the actions of Odysseus who "sliced an ample wheel of beeswax [...] and I stopped the ears of my comrades one by one". Indeed, the only understanding of the sirens comes from their speech; this perspective originates from the Odyssey's point of view. Unlike "Siren Song," The Odyssey's focuses on the person who opposes the sirens, Odysseus, more than the sirens themselves. This leads to the Sirens lacking any special quality that would make them any different than any obstacle there is noting personal about them. This is in contrast "Siren Song," which focuses almost exclusively on the siren.
Demeter, she with the beautiful garlands in her hair, kept them (the seeds) covered underground,” (The Homeric Hymns 306).The strength and determination of Demeter and Persephone collectively demonstrate helps to overthrow the male dominance in this myth. Crafting a deal with Zeus, Demeter and Persephone achieve their goal and finally reunite. Throughout history, women have been used to gain power, please individuals, and finish trade deals- the Homeric Hymn to Demeter is absolutely no omission from this. Even though the portrayal of women in this myth are grim, it does bring light and legitimates the unfair power contrast between men and women of the
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
On a reading of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter which regards Persephone, Demeter's daughter, as being representative of spring, the myth of Persephone's kidnapping by Hades can be interpreted as allegorical of the changing of the seasons. In particular, Persephone can be considered as a metaphor for the planting of seeds. While she is kept underground in the realm of Hades during the winter, no crops are grown and the land is barren. However, as the winter transitions into the spring Persephone emerges from the underworld, much like a budding plant, and reunites with her mother and the other Olympian gods and goddesses above ground. When Persephone is relegated to live with Hades she falls into a depression and becomes, figuratively speaking,
The Sirens of Wildwood Falls When Alex Smith noticed his 13-year-old brother, Chris, slip off the rocks above Wildwood Falls he knew there was only one thing to do. Without hesitation, the 16-year-old boy ran to the edge of the rocks, where the current of the Row River was pulling his younger brother towards the nearby waterfalls. He extended his reach as far as he could to save his brother, and was unable to grab him. Leaving the safety of the rocky shore, he jump in, hoping to pull his brother to safety. Wildwood Falls, located near Cottage Grove, Oregon, is a local favorite for cooling off on a hot summer day.
“Temptation is the feeling we get when encountered by an opportunity to do what we innately know we shouldn't” (Steve Marboli). The men in Margaret Atwood’s poem, “Siren Song,” experience this temptation and betrayal of their natural instinct. The narrator, a mythological being called a Siren, lures sailors from the sea and turns them into their prey. Throughout the poem, the Siren tells about their infamous and irresistible song that eventually leads to the men’s demise. The Siren’s beauty and voice cause the sailors to abandon their ship even when there are obvious indications telling them that they should not.
In the book “Roll of thunder hear my cry”, Mildred D. Taylor uses symbolism to provide context, and background information of the how their community is, and who the Logan’s fit in it. A great example when the author provides context and background information would be the fig tree. When the author is describing the fig tree, she describes it as “It keeps on blooming, bearing good fruit year after year, knowing all the time it’ll never get big as them other trees.” (pg 206) The author is trying to describe how the Logan family fits in in the community.
The Sirens are half woman, half bird that lure sailors in by singing beautiful hymns. Odysseus orders his men to tie him up to the mast of the ship and don't untie him until they are past the Sirens. His were ordered to stuff their ears with beeswax so that the couldn’t hear anything. Odysseus and his men get past The Sirens without any casualties thanks to the smarts of Odysseus and Circe. Odysseus was once again an archetype hero in this situation.
Individuals are usually judged by their superficial appearances and not by their characteristics, which could cause a wrong perception of an individual true self-leading their status and identity to become an outcast from the society. Furthermore, it could lead an individual to have psychological effects on their mental health. For instance, it could lead an individual to obtain the feelings of emptiness and hopelessness, to conclude with a decision to commit suicide. Margaret Atwood’s short story, “Lusus Naturae,” is written in a first person perspective, in which the protagonist tells the story herself. The readers of the story are able to know what is going on in the protagonist mind and how she is feeling throughout the story.
Countless of these tearful songs have been written, describing the image of the woman behind a hero’s victory. In The “Odyssey”, Homer transforms the audience’s perspective about women significantly. All of them, whether beautiful woman or powerful goddesses, are occupied by sorrows. Especially, Penelope and Calypso--the two most influential women in both appearance and the complicated relationship with the guile hero. Although they have very different personalities and backgrounds--one is the queen of Ithaca, and the other is a magnificent goddess.
