There are shared aims among cultures when it comes to mythology. Myths play a major role in all cultures, whether they are long gone or thriving, and they have a great deal of influence on both the people and the culture (Evans, 2018). In western literature, Circe by Madeline Miller, author of The Song of Achilles in 2011 (Quote), follows the entire life story of Circe, daughter of the Titan of the Sun, Helios, and Perse, one of the three thousand Oceanic nymphs (Quote). Circe, a Greek sorceress and one of the first goddess to be portrayed as a witch, is also one of the most intriguing figures of ancient mythology. Her portrayal of a witch laid the foundation and basis for many of the tropes that were later used to represent women throughout …show more content…
This was mentioned and used in both stories to compare to what's said in other theologies about how people perceive her and interact with her because of its difference. Circe is introduced as a "fair-tressed Goddess of Human Speech" in Homer's Odyssey (Homer, 10.137-138). Upon first meeting Circe, Homer relates how Odysseus' men waited enchanted at the entrance of her home, listening to her sing as she passed before a great invisible web (Homer, 10.220-23). Despite his astonishment at Circe's eerie voice, Homer describes her voice as "human speech." A contradiction seems to exist between Homer's praise of Circe's voice and its description as human. The fact that her voice is more like that of a human or mortal rather than one of spirituality or god is interesting for the reasons that it should be admired. There is an additional importance to the mortal voice in Circe, and that is its ability to separate her from the divinities who are revolted by her strange and "screechy" voice (Miller, 9). Throughout Circe's life, her availability and openness has been a source of both happiness and immense suffering for her, serving as both a source of joy and a source of pain. The other divinities' hold in contempt for Circe's voice in Miller's portrayal may be intended to evoke the way vocal and strong-willed women are often referred to as "shrill" by those who wish to undermine their agency and power by labeling them "shrill" (Avila 1). There is also evidence that Circe's name refers to her voice being perceived by other gods as being "shrill", like that of a hawk (Miller,