The story of Odysseus encounter with the Sirens and their
enchanting but deadly song appears in Greek epic poetry in
Homer’s Odyssey. An English translation of the episode is
reprinted in the left column below.
. Read both texts carefully. Then write an
essay in which you
.
Your analysis should include discussion of tone, point of
view, and whatever poetic devices (diction, imagery, etc.)
seem most important.
Introduction Reminders
•
Cut to the chase! No need for historical, broad literary
backgrounds. Don’t stray from the terms of the prompt.
(In
this case, open with a comment about sirens specifically, not the
heroism of Odysseus, or how mythology endures through the
ages.) Keep your intro “economical”.
•
Lay down the context: Briefly set out the topic, identify
the full name(s) of the author(s) and title(s) of their work.
•
Address the concept required by the prompt: Margaret
Atwood’s modern commentary on the sirens compared to
original story.
•
the
Connect the dots, so to speak, in your thesis statement –
how literary devices– especially point of view and tone – add
up to the meaning you see when comparing the two poems.
(Don’t just say the poems use certain literary devices. This will take you into a
descriptive rather than an analytical, interpretive essay.)
Avoid starting with “In the . . .” when it leads to passive
voice.
Passive Voice:
In Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey, and Margaret
Atwood’s poem, “Siren Song”, the sirens are described
with a first person point of view and an urgent tone.
Active Voice:
In Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey, and Margaret
Atwood’s poem, “Siren Song”, the sirens are described
describe the sirens with a first person point of view and
an urgent tone.