What Is Margaret Atwood's Interpretation Of The Odyssey Sirens

Thesis:

In Homer’s “The Odyssey”, translated by Robert Fagles, sirens have been portrayed as manipulative and deceiving creatures, who trick men by using their bewitching song as a form of flattery in order to draw men to their island and eventually to their death. However Margaret Atwood’s interpretation of sirens offers a different perspective, in “Siren Song,” sirens are portrayed similarly to Fagles interpretation, but instead of bewitching men through flattery, men are drawn to the island by sirens mocking damsels in distress to tempt the men's inner hero.

Body 1:

Topic sentence 1 (flattery):

“‘Come closer, famous Odysseus-Achaea's pride and glory- moor your ship on our coast so you can hear our song!’”(19-20). The sirens attempt to

Initially, the sirens attempt “This song is a cry for help: Help me! Only you, only you can, you are unique”(21-24). The song promises heroism for the men tempting their egos by repeating “help” and “you”. This cry for help makes men think the women are weak and men are the only ones strong enough to save them. By acting like this, the sirens are tricking the men into thinking they need their help when in reality the sirens are manipulating their emotions to draw them into their death. In addition to repetition to convey the damsel in distress act, the sirens use artificial language to increase the act. The siren offers, “Shall I tell you the secret and if I do, will you get me out of this bird suit?” (10-12). The Siren lies by promising to exploit the secrets of the song in exchange for help. This is another way the sirens deceive the men, she promises she will only tell him her most important and precious secret making him feel unique and then only with his help she will escape her bird-like appearance and become a beautiful women. The siren has no intention of doing any of this it is only part of her plot to destroy the