ipl-logo

Circe In Homer's Odyssey

1002 Words5 Pages

In the island of Aeaea, there lies the fearful goddess, Circe. In the middle of the forest, she settled in a lustrous stone house with her ladies-in-waiting. They were surrounded by millions of mountain lions and wolves (hyperbole), who were all once humans but were subsequently bewitched by Circe’s potions. As she was sorting her spells and potions she heard several knocks coming from her gates followed by helpless voices calling her name. “I wasn’t expecting company today. This’ll be interesting”, Circe smirked. She hummed a soft tune as she reached for the gate. The gates screeched open and Circe welcomed the visitors with a forced smile. “Please come in, you gentlemen must be very exhausted from your journey. I’m about to have supper, join me”, Circe …show more content…

She presented him with the finest cloaks, riches oils, and a well furnished furniture . But she noticed he was looking stiff during breakfast. “What’s the matter?”, she asked him with concern in her eyes. Odysseus gave her a look, “How can anyone be okay with someone, who turned the people they cared about into pigs and hold them as prisoners”? Instantly Circe got out of her seat, grabbed her wand, and went to the pen where his crew were. She smeared each one of them with a potion and ,with a flick of the wrist, she turned them back into human. The goddess witness their weeping towards Odysseus and ,for once, she felt pity for the people she turned into animals. After the incident the goddess decided to be kind to Odysseus’s crew, so she gave all of them baths, rubbed them in oils, and dressed them in warm cloaks and tunics and fed them proper meals. The place began to be livid and joyous. She went to Odysseus and suggested that he and his men stay with her for awhile because they must be tired from their journey and they need a break. It took a moment for Circe to hear an answer from Odysseus, but he eventually came to agree for the sake and health of his

Show More
Related

  • Role Of Fate In The Odyssey

    671 Words  | 3 Pages

    “She replies that they must first visit the land of the dead to hear a prophecy from the ghost of Tiresias” (Fitzgerald 387). This proves that Circe is providing Odysseus’ fate at the moment. One last example of fate and destiny in The Odyssey is when Odysseus visits Tiresias, he tells him his destiny as he heads back home. “Great captain, a fair wind and the honey lights of home are all you seek. But anguish lies ahead…

    Read More

  • How Is Odysseus Portrayed In Book 9

    674 Words  | 3 Pages

    Odysseus remained on the island for one year, sleeping with Circe and eventually impregnating her. By sleeping with Circe, Odysseus honoured the hospitality granted by Circe, who showed mercy towards Odysseus and his men. She transformed some of his men into pigs where she could’ve as easily killed them and potentially Odysseus too. In an almost perverted way, by having intercourse with Circe, Odysseus showed his respect towards the hospitality that Circe was providing. However, after a year, his crew begs him to leave Circe and go home.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast O Brother And Odysseus

    816 Words  | 4 Pages

    Later on in the story, Circe tells Odysseus “ he will be the only survivor on this long journey. ”(211)Odysseus seems not to care. This is another example of why Odysseus is not caring to his crewmates. Odysseus now knows that if he takes Circe’s path home that he will be the only survivor but he shows no concern. He immediately agrees with her plan and never asks if there is another way.

    Read More

  • Odysseus Should Not Be Blamed In Homer's The Odyssey

    170 Words  | 1 Pages

    “So reassured, they all cried out together.” Odysseus’ men made the mistake of calling out. They expected to be treated well because of the law of hospitality, but instead Circe turned them into pigs. “But those who ate this honeyed plant, the lotus, never cared to report.

    Read More

  • Qualities Of Odysseus In Book 10

    696 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this scene, Odysseus splits his men into two groups, one led by him and the other by Eurylochus. Eurylochus’s group stumble upon Circe’s house, and everyone apart from him enters, as he suspects that there is a trap. The goddess who owns the house turns out to be Circe, who turns the men into pigs and places them into pigsties. Eurylochus finds Odysseus and tells him to not go back to the house, Odysseus without hesitation, takes his sword and bow to confront Circe, even though Eurylochus has become petrified of the goddesses’ power, and knows the dangers of going. This shows how brave and courageous Odysseus is, as even though he knew that he himself may be turned into a pig, he still took the risk and tried to save his

    Read More

  • Telemachus Relationship With Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

    930 Words  | 4 Pages

    Circe, a beautiful witch-goddess noted this vulnerability and took advantage of Odysseus's’ men when they visited her home. Circe, “ushered them in to sit on high backed chairs, then she mixed them a potion- cheese, barely and pale honey mulled in pramnian wine- but into the brew she stirred her wicked drugs” (Od. 10. 256-259). The eagerness of Odysseus’s peers depicts the susceptibility of men, when presented with food.

    Read More

  • Obstacles In The Odyssey By John Koal

    813 Words  | 4 Pages

    Circe is first viewed as a scary being that manipulates people. To prove that people thought she was a horrible person Homer writes, “I sensed a trap. Suddenly all vanished- blotted out- not one face showed again,though I sat there keeping watch for a good long time”(10.238.284-286). Circe turns some of his men into pigs and after an attempt of rescue and a strange turn of events falls in love with Odysseus and he is offered marriage to a beautiful goddess. Instead, he decides to focus on his own wife and child back at home in Ithaca.

    Read More

  • Odysseus As A Good Leader In The Odyssey By Homer

    574 Words  | 3 Pages

    When they land on the island his men are held captive and are turned into animals. This is Odysseus’s response to the situation. “After Circe releases his men from the spell, Odysseus spends a year with her” (pg 506). In this situation,

    Read More

  • Odysseus Strengths And Weaknesses

    801 Words  | 4 Pages

    Odysseus’ men didn’t want to leave because all the good food keep them always coming back for more, but Odysseus didn't want to leave for another reason, Circe. After a whole year had passed Odysseus’ men came to him pleading to leave and return home. Odysseus came to his senses, finished things with Circe and they started their voyage home. What Circe revealed in Odysseus was a weakness that he has with women who aren't his wife, she proved that when things involve women especially women that he isn't married, he lets temptation get the best of him. After all the main reason he didn't want to leave was because he was attracted to

    Read More

  • Examples Of Archetype In The Hobbit

    940 Words  | 4 Pages

    deducting, “[he] must be Odysseus, [the] man of twists and turns,” (11). Instantaneously, Circe disregards the fact that she is a powerful goddess skilled in magic and submits herself to the mercy of Odysseus. Unlike Bilbo, who has to persevere to earn the respect of others, Odysseus’ foes already fear him because of his reputation. Challenging the traditional idea of the hero, Tolkien makes Bilbo work to earn the respect of

    Read More

  • Nausicaa And Odysseus Relationship

    636 Words  | 3 Pages

    As any reasonable person would guess they ran for the hills. All of them scattered except nausicaa who had been given courage from minerva. Odysseus from afar pleads his case “I implore your aid-but tell me are you a goddess or are you a mortal woman? If you are a goddess and dwell in heaven, I can only conjecture that you are Jove's daughter Diana, for your face and figure resemble none but hers; if on the other hand you are a mortal and live on earth, thrice happy are your father and mother—thrice happy, too, are your brothers and sisters” (6.149-155).

    Read More

  • Monologue From The Odyssey

    716 Words  | 3 Pages

    You would think I couldn’t need or want anything more with servants to wait on me day and night and priceless treasures to last a lifetime here of Aiaia, but I’m not content. I long for company, someone to share my days with and talk to who will listen, an equal. For years I have been luring travelers in to test them and see if they would be a worthy companion. Alas, they never made the cut.

    Read More

  • Brief Summary Of The Cyclops In Homer's Odyssey

    922 Words  | 4 Pages

    By singing beautifully, Circe attracted, and tempted, all the men to herself except for, “Eurylochus, who feared a snare” (IV: 563-564). This demonstrates how Eurylochus resisted temptation, which in turn, saved all of his men who were tricked by Circe’s enchanting sorcery and turned into pigs. Eurylochus stayed strong and ran to tell Odysseus, who stayed with and talked to Circe, eventually saving his men. If Eurylochus had fallen into the temptation like the rest of the men, they would all have been doomed and turned into

    Read More

  • Oppression Of Women In Homer's Odyssey

    780 Words  | 4 Pages

    Circe’s aggressive display of hospitality is the opposite of the general standard of how women are expected to perform. For instance, when Odysseus’ men arrive at her island, she deceives them into eating a meal with “her own vile pinch, to make them lose desire or thought of [their] dear father land” (Homer 10.30-31). While other women are expected to welcome men with open arms, Circe disregards the common notion and goes against them. Her ability to control and manipulate the situation for her own benefit shows how she holds a strong authority over anyone who might wish to challenge her. Including her firm control, her knowledge and intellect causes her to have a great effect on Odysseus’ future.

    Read More

  • Calypso's Role In The Odyssey

    514 Words  | 3 Pages

    Odysseus is a warrior who has been through struggle after struggle, so the idea of a having an easy-out, a life of complete relaxation, is extremely tempting. Calypso is the cage that is trapping

    Read More

More about Circe In Homer's Odyssey

Open Document