Imagery In The Siren

The allurement of the Siren is an entity that is both revered and feared in its capacity. In its enticement one principal factor has always been its usage of imagery to lull their victims into a state of suggestiveness. This is especially relevant in The Sirens, by James Russell Lowell, due to the vivid imagery portrayed by the Sirens whilst they charm men into a reverie. Their utilization of both positive and negative images is helpful in further lulling men into a euphoria that spells their doom, ensuring they don’t break free. The use of imagery is therefore a vital factor in the Sirens’ deadliness. The Sirens creation of enchanting images can gain one’s favor, causing them to sway even further under the Siren’s spell. They use what most people consider to be positive aspects of living to paint a picture of an ideal island in the minds of their victims, telling them of the “full-blossomed trees”, and that “the grass floweth like a stream”. These descriptions create an optimal environment that people find desirable, which is the Siren’s main objective. Just like the Siren’s beautiful harmony, the imagery serves as a vital factor towards the capture of their prey, the Siren’s refer to the imagery as the “undertone chiming with [their] melody”. It ultimately serves to keep the victims enthralled after …show more content…
For example, the Siren’s describe the “restless and uneasy” characteristics of the sea, and the “cold and lonely grave” that awaited sailors in the ocean. When correlated to the Siren’s “green and breezy” island where one could “rest forevermore”, the situation of a sailor is considerably less appealing. This usage of negative imagery helps enforce the effect given by the positive imagery, therefore increasing the victims’ confidence in their twisted perception that the Siren’s created for