Introduction- In the Book 12, where sirens were first introduced, the sirens attempt to lure Odysseus and his crew to their fate– death. His crew sails down the sea knowing the temptations of death that lie ahead, but they continue on. Odysseus has his men put wax in their ears to defer their fate. More specifically, the sirens represent temptation since they attract sailors to their deaths, an irresistible song. This passage in Book 12, lines from 1 to 200, presents an image of the consequences of temptation. Through the gory descriptions of the sailors’ rotting corpses piled on top of one another surrounding the sirens. “Around about them lie great heaps of men, flesh rotting from their bones, their skin all shriveled up.” (302 45-47)  This juxtaposition of temptation and fate are seen clearly through the decisions made by the sailing crew.  They know the death that awaits them but they lack any sort of control over the sirens. The decision to stuff their ears away from the song suggests control. Usually, no sailors survive these seas but with refusing to divulge in temptations represents Odysseus as a leader. A sentence with importance is “…pregnant with death.” (304- 91) This works in this passage since it emphasizes how sirens carry death with them at all times. Use of the term ‘pregnant’ usually inflicts the thoughts of motherhood, child, and growth, but in juxtaposition, with the sirens the term represents a constant consensus of death. 

Analysis- Going back to my first paragraph, “…pregnant with death.” the description given to the sirens represents their lack of human relation. In better terms, what is being conveyed through this comparison is that the sirens carry, create, and live with death at all times. Leading to a better understanding that sirens revolve around death. The imagery of this comparison creates this tone of death. Typically, the idea of pregnancy refers to positive emotions and aspects of life for human women, but this juxtaposition here refers to women carrying death with them. Another key line from this passage “If anyone goes near them in ignorance, and listens to their voices, that man will never travel to his home, and never make hhis wife and children happy to have him back with them again.” This enacts emotions of fear, this leads to the assumption that these women are dangerous- tempting. In addition, the ephasis of the man whos future will not consist of family or a wife dictates men into this role. Assuming the tempting woman will lure this man to his death and away from the fure- a wife and children. 

Conclusion- Overall, in the passage where sirens were first introduced to the plot, themes of death, temptation and consequence. The sirens try to entice Odysseus and his companions to meet their demise. Despite being aware of the death’s temptations that await them, his group sails on. To postpone their doom, Odysseus has his men apply wax to their ears. More precisely, the sirens are a symbol of temptation because they sing an enticing melody that drives sailors to their deaths. Returning to my opening statement, “…pregnant with death,” the sirens’ lack of human connection is symbolized by this description. To put it another way, this parallel means that the sirens always carry, generate, and exist alongside death. resulting in a greater comprehension of the death motif associated with sirens. This comparison’s picture conveys a sense of impending doom. Pregnancy usually connotes happy feelings and qualities of life for human women, but in this case, the juxtaposition alludes to women bearing death within them. This evokes feelings of terror and makes people believe that these ladies are seductive and dangerous. Men are also forced into this role by the emphasis placed on the man whose future does not include a family or a bride. Presuming that the alluring woman will get this man to commit suicide and turn him away from his family—a wife and kids.