The portrayal of the sirens is very different in the "Odyssey" by Homer and in Margaret Atwoods poem " Siren song. " The tone in the "Odyssey" is mysterious and dangerous while in the "Siren Song" the tone makes you feel bad for the Sirens. The different point of view in them also create a different point of view on them. In the "Odyssey" the point of view is based on the captain and in the "Siren Song" the point of view is that of a siren, expressing how she feels.…
Another example of a temptress woman is Calypso, a woman whom Odysseus was portrayed as a prisoner for seven years and pleas with him to stay with her if she were to make him immortal. This would be until the all-powerful Zeus would send a messenger to have Calypso release him to go home “Go tell that ringleted nymph it is my will to let that patient man Odysseus go home” (page 385). This example shows the power a woman has with her seductiveness to hold a man for seven years and also displays where a woman falls in this portrayed hierarchy when Zeus (a male God) demands the return and she must comply. There are many other women Homer brings into the tale of “Odyssey”, but the most powerful and constant one is Penelope (Odysseus wife). Penelope plays two roles, both a temptress to her suitors and a faithful wife to her husband regardless of his many infidelities (two set of rules for men and women).…
This decision I had to make relates to the Odysseus because Odysseus had to choices to go past the alluring sirens on his ship or go past Charybdis. The sirens were monsters that would make this noise that would draw you closer to it and it would kill you. Charybdis was a sea monster that made giant whirlpools…
Ultimately Odysseus was a capable leader but he could save his men from themselves. Self-control is the contemporary value in this book. The sirens tempting voices are like the temptations in everyday life. “Come this way, most admirable Odysseus, glory of the nation! Stay your ship, and listen to our voice” (page 153).…
In these 3 texts, different ideas are emphasized. Homer's story “The Odyssey” emphasizes, Odysseus heroism, the magic powers of sirens, and the steps Odysseus uses to get past the siren lovely melody. On the other hand, In the video “O’Brother Where Art Thou?” these 3 things are being emphasized, the words and the rhythm of the siren song, the men are drinking moonshine, and Pete gets turned…
In the Odyssey women are normally seemed to be not as strong and hold significantly less power than their male counterparts. In essence it is historically proven that the males are the controllers and the females are in contrast, the controlled but one cannot simply forget that women are known to have exponential influences on the men around them. With that being said female sexuality seems to be dangerous and even fearful toward men which is why I feel like this is why Homer uses this “talent” that women have with their sexuality and multiples it within the story of the Odyssey in which he turns these influential powers and characteristics into goddesses. One can argue that men have this fear inside of them that they cannot control and this…
When the men pass by the Sirens, they are lured by enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coasts nearby. Similarly, simply Chipotle’s name and its scent tempts to me satiate the fierce longing I feel for the food. Furthermore, resisting the Sirens requires a vast amount of self-control and dedication. Odysseus’ crew place beeswax in their ears and tie him to the mast in order to ensure that they are not swayed by the sounds. Although I do not have to resort to such measures, resisting Chipotle still demands discipline.…
“All that the Greeks endured, and all the ills inflicted by the Gods of Troy, we know”(Homer). There voices seem to have a magic touch and when they sing their compliments to the men it grabs their attention to where they don't know what they are doing. “My feet and arms with strong coercion bound of cordage to the mast-foot well secured” (Homer) When the sirens see the boat their attention goes directly toward the boat.…
A hero is anyone who has the ability to express themselves. In the past, the definition of a hero was much more narrow than in the current day. Today, who a hero is depends entirely on perspective. A hero to one could be the enemy to another. This concept of what it takes to be a hero has changed as time went on.…
In every piece of literature, there is an underlying theme or message, that blankets over the story. Throughout the story, the theme is brought up by clues and hints. As readers, our job, is to find the clues the author leaves, to discover the theme of the story, and the lesson to be learned. The Odyssey is a timeless piece, studied all over the world for its story of a hero’s travailing journey home, and the gurganious trials he overcomes. Many movies, tv-shows, and books have the theme and plot of a hero or heroine in peril.…
Throughout The Odyssey, Homer enlightens us in the tribulations Odysseus faces as he fights to return home to his loving wife and son. He uses his mind and cunning abilities to outwit the creatures he encounters along the way. As we follow his travels, he faces many different types of women. Including Athena-the protector, Penelope-the loving wife, and Calypso-the devastatingly beautiful goddess-nymph.. These women are all so different, yet all so alike as well.…
The role of women in society is an issue discussed throughout The Odyssey by Homer, the Bible, and A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft. These texts all illustrate different roles for women in society; however, there are some common ideas between the texts. Since these texts were written at different time periods, The Odyssey first, then the Bible, and A Vindication of the Rights of Woman last, a contributing factor to the differences in the views on the role of women in society is the societal norms held at the time. The Odyssey and the Bible agree with the norms of the time while Wollstonecraft wrote against the gender norms held by society at that time.…
Homer’s Odyssey and Margaret Atwood’s, poem, “Siren Song” depict the siren in different views, such as Homer’s view as being mystical creatures and Atwood’s view as remorse beings, and contrasting point of views, like Odysseus's view as a victim and the siren view as the predator. In Homer's Odyssey the siren are interpreted through Odysseus point of view. Here Odysseus tells, “When the sirens sensed at once a ship was racing past and burst into their high, thrilling song… they sent ravishing voices out across the air and the heart inside me throbbed to listen longer.” Odysseus portrays the sirens as magical with their voices in order that they try to make his men crash as they venture on.…
Often, individuals can find themselves enticed by appealing objects that can usually be lethal or deadly, much like Sirens. Sirens are mythical creatures that lure men with their captivating singing, ultimately forcing them to jump to their deaths. Their appearances are usually found in greek poetry like The Odyssey by Homer, or poetry with a more modern take on them, such as “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood. Both poems however, introduce readers to the Sirens with similar and different perspectives even though they are centered on the same subject. “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood and The Odyssey by Homer both differ in their portrayals of the Sirens.…
The Odyssey, one of Homer’s renowned works, was composed in about the 8th century BCE. It has been told and read for generations, and it has also served as a foundation for many other stories. However, it can often brush aside the idea of feminism and put men on a pedestal, leaving modern readers questioning how the role of women 2,800 years ago bittersweetly relates to the role of women in 2018. Although The Odyssey portrays a few examples of female strength, The Odyssey generally downgrades women by demonizing them and making excuses for male behavior.…