The elusive and manipulative Sirens of Homer’s Odyssey are the focus of Margaret Atwood’s poem “Siren Song”, though the latter is told instead from the Siren’s point of view. Through this new point of view, one is able to compare the portrayals of Sirens based on Odysseus’ account as well as a Siren’s herself. Additionally, the feigned blase tone of Atwood’s poem adds a comical element that humanizes a being viewed only as a monster in the Odyssey.
In Homer’s Odyssey, Sirens are portrayed as conniving, ruthless creatures whose bloodlust leads them to prey upon each vessel that passes. They use their song to lure men in, crooning compliments at them along the likes of: “famous Odysseus—Archea’s pride and glory! ” (Homer 14).
Odysseus’ men are forced to restrain him so that he does not fall victim to the Sirens, and Odysseus even puts beeswax in his crew men’s ears so that their are not distracted. The Sirens are seen as a great danger, one that could easily bring destruction on even the paramount and bravest men.
When exposed to their “ravishing voices”, Odysseus feels that “the heart inside [him] throbbed to listen longer” (Homer 19-20).
He prepares himself and his crew for this encounter with the Sirens, making absolutely sure that they will not reap devastation upon his voyage. In Homer’s example, Sirens are a danger that Odysseus, in this case a representative of mankind, is able to outwit and overpower. Contrastingly, in Margaret Atwood’s poem, men are made out to be fools in the eyes of the Sirens.
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Homer’s Sirens claim that a man who “hears [their song] to his heart’s content sails on, a wiser man” (Homer 18) while the speaking Siren in Atwood’s poem is very blunt in disclosing that the men who listen to their song do not return, for “anyone who has heard it / is dead” (Atwood 8-9).
Atwood’s Siren seems to mock men and their misplaced sense of entitlement, describing how simply hearing the Sirens’ song causes men “to leap overboard in squadrons / even though they see the beached skull” (Atwood 5-6).
Later, the Siren croons directly to a man with an engorged hero complex: “This song / is a cry for help: Help me! / Only you, only you can, / you are unique” (Atwood 21-24).
The sarcasm evident in blandly describing the song as being a “cry for help” shows how the men would blindly risk their lives if given the opportunity to save the Sirens, and thus earning the title of being a hero. While both Homer’s Odyssey and Atwood’s “Siren Song” share a specific topic, the point of view from which each is told is crucial to the overall meanings.
Homer’s epic poem focuses on the bravery of man and of Odysseus outwitting the creatures, while Atwood’s poem instead focuses on the countless other men whose folly was playing straight into the Sirens’ ploy. Atwood’s poem, being told from the Siren’s perspective, makes mankind out to be foolish and vainglorious. This unusual point of view gives the creature a sense of humanity that was completely lacking from Homer’s original tale.