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Examples of monsters in literature
Examples of monsters in literature
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In Homer’s Odyssey, the multiple monsters Odysseus encounters while on his journey from Troy are elements of the poem that metaphorically represent different obstacles that he and his men have to overcome to reach Greece. In their encounter with the Sirênês in particular, these “monsters” symbolize the temptation of staying anchored in the past instead of living and focusing in the present moment, for they attempt to hamper the men’s return back home (present) by trapping them in the deep waters of the sea (the past). The main factor of the Sirens’ strategy that stands out in the text is their song, as it illustrates the lure of dwelling in the past memories of the battle of Troy. I will therefore demonstrate the significance of these monsters …show more content…
and their song for the characterization of Odysseus as a human being. In doing so, I will associate the idea of the Sirens being the temptation of living in the past with Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s thesis that the monster ( In this case the Sirens ) is really “a kind of desire” , as I will explore how Odysseus’ past as a warrior relates to the Sirens and the theme of their weapon-like song. Throughout the verses of the song, the two sirens recount the deeds of the battle of Troy (which Odysseus has just won and emerged from as an acclaimed warrior) and try to persuade him and his men to listen to their words, be captivated by their meaning and forget the true purpose of their journey: reaching Greece.
The main tactic in the Sirens words to convince the men to forget their destination is deception, as they induce them into believing that if they stay listening to the history of Troy, and thus their recent past, they will find joy: “oh turn your bows (…) moor and be merry” (line 223) and will grow wiser: “As from our song of Troy Greybeard and rower-boy Goeth more learned” (line234-36). The antithesis of “Greybeard”, symbolizing men of old age, and “Rower-boy” referring to young sailors, is an effective mechanism from the Sirens to persuade Odysseus and his men to stay in their past experiences, as it conveys the idea that all men, regardless of age, who have acquiesced in dwelling in the meaning of their song, have found happiness and knowledge. Hence, the image of the Sirens swaying Odysseus and his men portrays these monsters as the embodiment of temptation, for they attempt to lure the men into sinning in curiosity about recounting past events, that they must interrupt their present goal when doing so. Cohen argues that “the monster exists to call horrid attention to the borders that cannot - must not - be crossed” . In this sense, the Sirens in the Odyssey resemble Cohen’s conception of monsters, for the “border” that shouldn’t be crossed and that these monsters call attention to, is essentially the temptation of curiosity and idleness: an immoral transgression that essentially hampers their true
objective. As the Sirens keep reminiscing the men’s deeds in Troy, they metaphorically create a kind of happiness or paradise related to the pleasure and satisfaction that the men experienced after having won he Trojan war. The effect of this tactic is that by recounting “All feats on that great field” (line237), where Odysseus and his men satisfactorily defeated the enemy “in the long warfare” (238), the Sirens are recall the moments of Glory and joy that the men lived as successful warriors, and consequently, invite them to remain anchored in that past moment. Also, by recreating this past memory in their song, the Sirens are attributing to the men’s past deeds connotations of grandeur when saying “great field” and of satisfaction by referring to the battle as “long warfare”, as both of them imply merit and recognition for having survived it. The monsters’ intention is to offer the men a world that resembles their past in such joyful and satisfied manner, that they are inevitably driven to forget the present they are living, and stay immersed in the unchangeable and satisfactory past. Furthermore, the Sirens prove to be the temptation itself when by striving to compel the sailors to join their idealistic world, they state that the power of their music is so strong and truthful that all men without exception have been drawn to experience this new horizon: “No life on earth can be hid from our dreaming” (lines 244-45). Consequently, this promising statement tempts Odysseus and his men to be one of those men who are referred to as “no life on earth”. The Siren’s “dreaming” symbolizes the notion of the past; an intangible state where they would be able to revive the occurrences of the battle and feel decorous about it: in them, they were the victorious winners. In his theory, Cohen describes this perception of the monster by saying that “Monsters still function as the vehicles of causative fantasies”. When relating this statement in the context of the Sirens’ encounter it is clear that in the poem: “Sirens ( Monsters ) function as the temptation inducers ( vehicles ) of the memories of the past ( causative fantasies )”. This means that the real significance of the Sirens as monsters in the poem is to act as elements that embody the temptation of living in the past and forgetting the present, presented to Odysseus and the men while sailing across the sea. Cohen also argues that when monsters are depicted in female form, “these ladies are, of course, demons in lascivious disguise” , which correlates very well to the portrayal of the Sirens in the Odyssey. When these monsters begin their song, they do so with their melodic and absorbing voice as the main weapon to compel the humans to “enter our green mirror” ( line 227 ), which essentially makes them irresistible and desired demons. While literally “the green mirror” means to enter and drown in the green deep waters of the ocean, metaphorically, it implies forgetting the present and future plans and living merely in a fantasy constructed of past memories. The main element that makes the Sirens so appealing to the mortals is their charming voice; “each charming note like honey twining from her throat to throat” ( lines 228-30 ). The image of this melodic remembrance of the past evokes in itself the sense of a stagnant attitude that can relate to the idea of staying still in the past, as the notes from the two Sirens’ voices “twins” from throat to throat in a roundabout manner without ever going anywhere else. Hence, the mere sound of the Sirens’ voices is altogether a representation of the constant insinuation to the men to accept to stay in the past and abandon their already programmed path in the present. Furthermore, the notion that the lady monster is a demon in lascivious disguise emphasizes Cohen’s thesis that the monster is really a kind of desire born from those who create them, as the main objective of these demons in the poem is to lure the men with what they desire the most; being acclaimed warriors and war heroes as a result of their deeds back in Troy. Cohen defines monsters as creatures “that encourage the execution of forbidden practices” . In Odysseus encounter with the Sirens, this forbidden practice is the curiosity and idleness that the men are faced with about listening to the monster’s song and thus staying in the past. Therefore, like demons disguised in an attractive and alluring figure, the Sirens with their “thrilling voices” (line 64) on their “sweet meadow lolling” (lines 54) represent not only the desire of the men to revive their successful past, but also, the strong temptation to stay in it. Finally, the significance of the Sirens being the embodiment of men’s temptation is the impact that these monsters have on the main character Odysseus, as temptation is one of the obstacles that Odysseus has to overcome in order to reach his goal of returning back home. Having left Troy as a war hero, and having overcome many more obstacles in his journey through the sea, his most intimate desire resides in his past: it is there that he has won most battles. His main goal now is to reach the coast of Greece, reunite with his loved ones and claim that title of deserved glory. However, when he is warned about the imminent danger of the Sirens, who “cry beauty to bewitch men coasting by” (lines 48-9), and is tempted to listen to their thrilling voices to be one of the “innocents who hear that sound” (line 50), he consciously decides to ignore the warning and submit to the temptation of listening. It is true that as Odysseus encounters the Sirens, he utilizes cunning tactics to avoid falling into the trap of giving his body and soul to the deceitful monsters, for he commands his men to tie him “back to the mast, lashed to the mast” (lines 63). Nevertheless, unlike the rest of the men who “keep well to seaward” (line 58) by blocking their ears with beeswax (and hence resist the temptation of hearing past memories that might make them want to forget their present objective), Odysseus is the only one who fails in resisting this temptation. Instead, he decides to listen to the Sirens’ song, which although does not have the Sirens’ desired outcome, it inevitably “sings his mind away” (line 52). This submission of the main character to the monsters’ entice reveals a particular weakness in Odysseus personality that grants a rather negative quality in the preconceived idea of him being a war hero: he is the only one who succumbs to the curiosity of hearing and being compelled by the Siren’s song despite the fact that he had been previously warned of the danger it entailed. Therefore, in Odysseus’ encounter with the Sirens, these monsters metaphorically represent the temptation of staying anchored in the past, of reminiscing past desires rather than living on the present and of hindering the pursue of the imminent future. This depiction of the Sirens not only supports Cohen’s theory that the monster is in reality a hidden desire (by embodying the past memories, the Sirens are conveying the desire of Odysseus and his men of resurrecting their victory in Troy) but also, it provides a new conceptualization of the main character. The effect of Odysseus succumbing to the Siren’s temptation is that his weak human nature is portrayed: he acquiesces to the mental compulsion of experiencing once again the deeds of the past battle that would essentially him the glory and recognition that he desires the most.
Homer utilizes imagery to create the scene in which the Sirens attempt to lure Odysseus. Homer describes the voice of the Sirens to be "ravishing" which presents how powerful the Sirens voice can be. Odysseus is swayed by the voices and urges the crew to let him go to the Sirens, however, the Sirens could not bring Odysseus to them.
The story of Odysseus' encounter with the Sirens and their enchanting but deadly song appears in Greek epic poetry in Homer's Odyssey. The Sirens in the ‘Siren Song’ by Margaret Atwood are portrayed in a variety of ways. The Sirens are lethal,underprivileged and deluding. The Sirens are personated as lethal and menacing. In the Sirens’ song it says “..the song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons.”
The Sirens in the "Odyssey" seem dark and evil due to the author's choice of words or diction. The words used in the song provide a tone of mystery and darkness. For example, "Come closer, famous Odysseus...Never had any sailor passed our shores in his black craft (line 15)." This demonstrates that the diction gives the audience a suspicion that it is
One of the most notable epic poems, The Odyssey is a story about a hero and his return home from the war in Troy. On his way, many challenges are presented into his path and as a result, the tone throughout the story will make drastic shifts. Despite the many contrasting trials, certain tones are recurring and will emerge in various scenes, regardless of how diverse the threat is. One of the prevailing tones in part one is desperation. When Odysseus and his men were trapped by the cyclopes, the crew was desperate to get out alive and to not be devoured. Later in the expedition the ship is nearing Ithaca, with the land in sight, and some of the crew members open Odysseus bag of winds, thus blowing the ship back out to sea. Everyone is desperately
Similar to an elaborate dish, a literary genre consists of multiple necessary “ingredients,” called epic conventions, which classify a text into a particular category. Homer follows an impeccable recipe in his magnificent work. Labeled as an epic, The Odyssey by Homer portrays the Greek hero Odysseus years after his victory in the Trojan War and his awaited journey back to Ithaca. As the plot develops it is evident it is no effortless feat for our hero to return home. The godly Odysseus encounters adversities in the forms of Cyclops, sea monsters, alluring flowers and formidable Greek gods with varying conceptions of him. These characteristics distinguish the Odyssey and its episodes as an epic and bestow Odysseus with the title of an epic
Homer’s The Odyssey, a magnificent story of lust, deceit, greed, and heroism, still fascinates scholars and casual readers alike today in the same way it fascinated its audience at the time it was written. The Odyssey, a journey of determination, patience, and virtue, tells the tail of Odysseus, the main character, on his voyage home to Ithaka after the end of the Trojan War. Odysseus goes through many unforeseen trials and tribulations, which exemplify his character. During these different happenings, Odysseus makes decisions that do not correspond to his character.
The image of seductresses is a recurring motif in The Odyssey. These women are a temptation to Odysseus. They attempt to keep Odysseus from accomplishing his goal: his homecoming. Circe is a bewitching goddess. She entices Odysseus’ crew into her palace with her enchanting voice. However, after she feeds them, she promptly turns them into pigs. Circe also succeeds in enticing Odysseus; he stays with her one year as her lover. It is so long that his crew declares that it is “madness” (326). They say that it is “high time” that Odysseus thinks of his homeland (326). Later on, Odysseus and his crew encounter the sirens. Knowing the danger they pose, Odysseus has all his men’s ears stopped up with wax. However, Odysseus wishes to hear their song; so he asks his crew to tie him to the mast. The song of the sirens is so sweet and enticing. Their “ravishing voices” almost make Odysseus forget his desire to return home (349). His heart “throbbed” to listen longer; he signals for his men to let him go free. The grea...
Odysseus uses his brain to sail past the Sirens without being entranced by their sweet song. A Siren is a bird-woman who bewitches everyone that approaches. The Siren women sing a seductive song. Their song has many powers. As Nugent says “as in the days of the musician Orpheus, music still has power to soothe the savage beast, to ally anxiety, and to connect with the divine through contemplation” (Nugent 45-54). Circe tells Odysseus, “There is no homecoming for the man who draws near them unawares and hears the Siren’s voices” (Homer XII, 40). . Odysseus follows the advice Circe gave him to put beeswax in his men’s ears so they will not be entranced. Odysseus then tells his men “but she instructed me alone to hear their voices…”(XII, 160), when, truthfully, Circe states, “But if you wish to listen yourself, make them bind you hand and foot on board and place you upright by the housing of the mast, with the rope’s ends lashed to the mast itself”(XII, 49). In this way, Odysseus is being selfish only wishes to know the Siren’s sing so he will...
Homer’s The Odyssey chronicles Odysseus’s return home from the Trojan War to reunite with his wife, kingdom, and son. However, Odysseus has been encountering serious difficulties that have prevented him from reaching home for nearly twenty years. These difficulties include various different types of monsters, each of which seems to embody undesirable traits such as laziness or savagery. The Greeks portray creatures with these traits as monsters as an example of the Greeks’ “better” traits and subsequent superiority. Each species of monster within The Odyssey represents one or more qualities that the Greeks have demonized in comparison to themselves.
Homer’s The Odyssey is not just a tale of a man’s struggle on his journey home from the Trojan War, but of his struggle from the consequences of revenge. The Odyssey weaves in different characters’ tales of revenge from the gods and what impact revenge actually had on those characters. Revenge is an important underlying theme in The Odyssey because, in essence, it explains why Odysseus’ journey was so prolonged and treacherous. A few examples of revenge in the poem include Orestes’ revenge on Aegisthus, Zeus’ revenge on Odysseus and his men, and Poseidon’s revenge on Odysseus. These different examples of revenge in The Odyssey show the importance of the gods’ revenge in the epic journey of Odysseus.
In book eight of Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus is on the island of the Phaeacians and is waiting to return home to Ithaca. Meanwhile, Alcinous, the Phaeacian king, has arranged for a feast and celebration of games in honor of Odysseus, who has not yet revealed his true identity. During the feast, a blind bard named Demodocus sings about the quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles at Troy. The song causes Odysseus to start weeping, so Alcinous ends the feast and orders the games to begin. During dinner after the games, Odysseus asks Demodocus to sing about the Trojan horse and the sack of Troy. This song too causes Odysseus to break down and cry. Homer uses a dramatic simile to describe the pain and sorrow that Odysseus feels as he recalls the story of Troy.
...y sirens represent half-women, half-bird creatures who lived on an island. They used to sing in beautiful voices to lure sailors off their course. When Odysseus was sailing by the siren's island, he made the rest of his men plug up their ears and ties him to the mainmast. This way, he got to hear the beautiful sound of their voice without being driven to suicide. In this story the women weeping over Lautaro were compared to the sirens, and some sailors going to tie themselves to the mainmast in an attempt to mimic Odysseus. There is a contrast of these stories with the quotes from the villagers.
Homer’s epic, the Odyssey, is a heroic narrative that follows the adventures of Odysseus, the powerful King of Ithaca. The main story involves Odysseus’s return journey to his homeland after the Trojan War. However, Homer skips around in the action periodically to give the reader a better understanding and interest in what is going on in the epic. Homer takes his audience from the present action involving Telemakhos’ search for news of his father’s return, to the past where Odysseus tells the Phaiakians of his tragic journey home after the war. The events in Homer’s epic are not in order but still prove more effective at guiding the reader through the narrative. Although the events in the Odyssey are not in chronological order, the story line is enriched by Homer’s use of the in media res method because it introduces characters that were not involved in Odysseus’ adventure, because it shows the urgency of Odysseus’ return to his kingdom, and because it allows the reader to become more interested in the opening chapters without having to wait for a climax in the action.
The Odyssey is an epic that shapes and defines the roles of many great leaders. These leaders are made up of mortals, alive and dead, and immortals. The trip taken by Odysseus is not only a journey of a war hero back to his homeland, but is a journey in all of the characters lives, which develop a better sense of personal identity and selfhood as the epic goes on. It is the many disguises that each character uses that uncover their true identities from their experiences. The revelations of each characters identity are what teach the lessons that Homer is trying to portray to his audience, and what lead to each character’s success in their personal journey. Each character’s identity is constructed by the courage and morality that they reveal, through disguise, by their actions to help or prevent bring Odysseus home. These actions are what make each character who he or she is, whether god or human. Homer uses Odysseus and Athena as the principle identities developed throughout the poem to send his messages.
“The Odyssey” is an epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus and the story of his many travels and adventures. The Odyssey tells the main character’s tale of his journey home to the island of Ithaca after spending ten years fighting in the Trojan War, and his adventures when he returns home and he is reunited with his family and close friends. This literary analysis will examine the story and its characters, relationships, major events, symbols and motifs, and literary devices.