How Is Circe Presented In The Odyssey

In a vast array of classic literature, readers encounter characters with diverse traits and complexities. Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey”, features several characters who have captivated readers for centuries. When comparing “The Odyssey” to modern poems, readers gain new perspectives on the characters. Characters from Homer’s epic poem are often portrayed differently in modern literature. While Circe is painted as a villain in Homer’s novel The Odyssey, her actions are justified in Louise Gluck’s poem “Circe’s Power”, which aids in changing the readers’ thoughts toward Circe. The readers’ view of Circe is often altered throughout the course of The Odyssey. Circe is described as villainous and evil throughout her presence in The Odyssey. Homer

Words used by Homer, such as “coax” have a negative connotation, leading readers to believe that Circe is a deceitful and dishonest woman. Throughout the poem, it is consistently made evident to readers that Circe is seen as evil. Odysseus notes that “In a golden bowl she mixed a potion for [him] to drink, stirring her poison in, her heart aswirl with evil” (Homer, 10. 351-352. See the Despite her iniquitous portrayal in The Odyssey, Circe’s actions are justified in Louise Gluck’s poem, “Circe’s Power”. In The Odyssey, the only context given is that Circe turns Odysseus’ crew into pigs. However, it is made clear in “Circe’s power” that Circe “reversed the spell/ showing [her] goodness/ as well as [her] power” (Gluck). Here, Circe’s side of the story is explained. In “Circe’s Power”, it is made clear to readers that Circe means well, and her only intention is to teach the men a lesson. Also in Gluck’s poem, Circe talks about how she, “saw/ we could be happy here/ as men and women are/ when their needs are simple”

In The Odyssey, Homer portrays the sirens as wicked temptresses. In Margaret Atwood’s “Siren Song”, she helps readers understand that the sirens don’t enjoy their duties of luring sailors to their deaths. Homer expresses how Odysseus’ strong urge to break free from the ropes holding him back and find the source of the voice he hears is hypnotic and evil. In the poem, the sirens tell him to “Come closer, famous Odysseus- Achaea’s pride and glory- moor your ship on our coast so you can hear our song” (Homer, 12.200-201). In The Odyssey, the sirens’ approach is to feed into his ego in an attempt to lure him and his crew to their deaths. It is made clear that “Never has any sailor passed [their] shores in his black craft until he has heard the honeyed voices pouring from [their] lips, and once he hears to his heart’s content sails on, a wiser man” (Homer, 12.202-204). Each sailor who hears the siren song dies before they are able to tell others about it. Odysseus is special because he is the only sailor who has lived to tell his