Circe In Odysseus Of Homer's Odyssey

After their visit with Aeolus, Odysseus and his crew come upon Aeaea, the island of Circe. Circe tricks many of Odysseus’s men, turning them into pigs, requiring Odysseus to try to save them. With the help of Hermes, he manages to evade her magic and makes a deal with her. “Or swear me first a great oath, if I do, / you’ll work no more enchantment to my harm.” (10.76-77). Odysseus makes the witch Circe to promise to not work any of her magic on him, free his men, and in return he will do as she pleases. What she wanted was for him to have sex with her, he obliged. This task, where it is not based off strength or courage, is a mental test for Odysseus. He has not been with his wife in over ten years and suffered through this endeavor with Circe with great guilt to his family. Out of this relationship, Odysseus did obtain Circe as a valuable ally. Circe changes Odysseus, she humbles him. She knows of the task that lie ahead of him

Once he completes this battle, he is left with a new task, approaching Penelope. Penelope fails to believe that Odysseus is before her, but after asking him a cunning question about something only he would know, she realized her husband has finally returned. They embrace for the first time in twenty years. “the ache / of longing mounted, and he wept at last, / his dear wife, clear and faithful, in his arms.” (22.439-441). This moment is the final scene in The Odyssey. The simple hug between Odysseus and Penelope symbolizes the resolution of Odysseus’s journey and Penelope’s struggle with the suitors. This embrace changes Odysseus. It put him back at ease. All his tasks are completed, the gods are content with him, and he is with his family. This is the only moment in The Odyssey where Odysseus is free of his burdens. He is at his most vulnerable here, being full of triumph and relief. His grueling adventure has ended. Odysseus is “in joy, knowing the abyss behind.”