Though these passages talk of the same luring song, they portray it differently because of the different points of view used. This difference is shown through the different imagery and tones of each individual passage. Homer's passage produces an exciting effect on the reader, while Atwood's appears to be more pessimistic and explanatory of the siren that lures the shipmen to the island where they will die. Though each passage is different, they both are discussing the same luring song. .
Homer portrays the siren's song as mysterious and luring, while Atwood looks at them as irresistible and a nuisance. The difference is due to the fact that each passage is written in a different point of view, Homer's being in the first person of a shipman traveling across the enchanted island and Atwood's being the actual song. Homer says that the rowers in his story are physically and mentally strong, rowing hard and resisting the demand that their fellow mate be taken down from the mast. Atwood says that she doesn't like it on the island, saying it is crying for help (while at the same time luring seamen to their death.) At the end, the bird seems almost bored saying that her temptations work every time. As opposed to the end of Homer's passage, where the crew is relieved that they have gotten past the island safely. This difference of attitude toward the song is due to the opposing viewpoints. The song in Atwood's poem would probably be mad at the man in Homer's poem who found a way to not give into the temptation yet still listen the song. .
Homer's attitude towards the song of the siren is that of a lustful and intrigued one. He understands the crewman's desire to hear the song and thinks him clever to plug the crew's ears with wax so that they don't steer the ship to the death island. He sees the siren's song as majestically and mysterious, as opposed to Atwood who seems to think that the Siren is merely irresistible and bored of it's purpose.