Comparing The Sirens In Odyssey By Homer And Siren Song By Margaret Atwood
In the "Odyssey" by Homer , and the "Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood, the sirens are portrayed differently for example in the story, the sirens are described through the ship members point of view whereas in the poem, the point of view is through the sirens. Perspective plays a huge role in this along with tone and imagery.
Tone, for example, represents how beautiful or evil sounding the sirens were. In the story, the sirens have evil hoarse voices apparently , "...Ravashing voices...heart inside me throbbed to listen longer." Even though the sirens sound unpleasant, their sounds are still addicting. That makes the tone of the story sound as if in order to remain alive, one must get away from those desperate, ugly siren creatures. In the poem,
however, the sirens sound in desperate need of a savior therefore changing the tone, now making the reader feel bad for the sirens. "This song is a cry for help...Help me!" But alas it is simply a trap used to lure you in and the they kill you. "Works every time".
Imagery helps the reader visualize and imagine what the surroundings look like, basically the setting of it all. In the poem there is a lot of imagery for example "beached skulls". Sirens therefore equal certain death.. Along with phrases and words such as "bird suits" and "feathers". It is then easy for readers to imagine giant deadly beautiful birds with raspy voices.
Point of view is the key point which sets the story and poem apart. In the story the ship members have to do everything they can and everything in their willpower to avoid the horrendous yet beautiful noises that the sirens produce, out of their heads to avoid becoming one with death. They cover their ears with wax to keep the sounds out. The ship members portray the sirens as evil beings. The poem however, is told from the sirens point of view. The sirens apparently sing a cry for help although it seems to not be working because everyone that tries to help ends up dead. or maybe that is the intention. "Alas it is a boring song but it works every time".
That is how tone ,point of view, and imagery help set up the sirens portrayal. In the end ,however, the sirens just lead anyone to death no matter how they are portrayed.
Tone, for example, represents how beautiful or evil sounding the sirens were. In the story, the sirens have evil hoarse voices apparently , "...Ravashing voices...heart inside me throbbed to listen longer." Even though the sirens sound unpleasant, their sounds are still addicting. That makes the tone of the story sound as if in order to remain alive, one must get away from those desperate, ugly siren creatures. In the poem,
however, the sirens sound in desperate need of a savior therefore changing the tone, now making the reader feel bad for the sirens. "This song is a cry for help...Help me!" But alas it is simply a trap used to lure you in and the they kill you. "Works every time".
Imagery helps the reader visualize and imagine what the surroundings look like, basically the setting of it all. In the poem there is a lot of imagery for example "beached skulls". Sirens therefore equal certain death.. Along with phrases and words such as "bird suits" and "feathers". It is then easy for readers to imagine giant deadly beautiful birds with raspy voices.
Point of view is the key point which sets the story and poem apart. In the story the ship members have to do everything they can and everything in their willpower to avoid the horrendous yet beautiful noises that the sirens produce, out of their heads to avoid becoming one with death. They cover their ears with wax to keep the sounds out. The ship members portray the sirens as evil beings. The poem however, is told from the sirens point of view. The sirens apparently sing a cry for help although it seems to not be working because everyone that tries to help ends up dead. or maybe that is the intention. "Alas it is a boring song but it works every time".
That is how tone ,point of view, and imagery help set up the sirens portrayal. In the end ,however, the sirens just lead anyone to death no matter how they are portrayed.