I have chosen Madeline Miller’s book Circe as the multimedia source to analyze and present my own perspective on the character of Circe in Homer’s The Odyssey. Circe is a modern reinterpretation of the Greek myth, giving voice to the character of Circe, the witch who turns Odysseus’s men into swine and plays a significant role in his journey. This novel is important for my analysis because it offers a feminist perspective on Circe’s story,  portraying her experiences, struggles, and transformation.

In Homer’s The Odyssey, Circe is a mysterious and powerful figure, primarily viewed through the eyes of Odysseus and his crew. She is depicted as a seductive sorceress who poses a threat to the hero and his men. However, her own motivations, desires, and vulnerabilities are not explored in the epic. “Circe” by Madeline Miller takes this character and breathes new life into her narrative. The novel dives deep into Circe’s perspective, allowing readers to understand her backstory, her loneliness, and the injustices she has faced as an immortal figure. This source is helpful in exposing the perspectives that The Odyssey fails to represent, as it challenges the portrayal of Circe as a villain and instead humanizes her, making her a complex and relatable character. In The Odyssey, Circe serves as an antagonist who interferes with Odysseus’s journey home, transforming his men into swine and ensnaring him in her island’s enchantments. She is the staple of the mysterious and dangerous feminine in Greek mythology, a symbol of seduction and danger.  Her character is largely defined by her relationships with men, particularly Odysseus. We see her through his lens, her motives and desires obscured, her power and vulnerability rendered in shadows.

However, Circe by Madeline Miller gives her a voice, a story, and a perspective of her own. The novel takes the traditional portrayal of Circe and turns it on its head. Circe, in Miller’s retelling, becomes a fully realized character, not merely an obstacle or a seductress, but a woman with her own agency, desires, and struggles. The book offers readers an intimate look into her immortal life, her loneliness, her desire for knowledge, and her eventual transformation into a formidable enchantress. It paints her as a complex and relatable figure, no longer confined to the role of a superficial antagonist. This novel humanizes Circe and provides a feminist perspective that is often missing in the original epic.My own narrative on Circe seems to remake her character from a feminist standpoint, emphasizing her autonomy and the agency she reclaims in Miller’s novel. In The Odyssey, Circe is a character defined by her relationships with men, specifically Odysseus. She is powerful but reduced to a plot device, her enchantments and transformations serving to drive the hero’s journey forward. She is an object of fascination and desire, her character existing in the margins of a patriarchal narrative.

In conclusion, drawing from Circe, my approach reflects her character as a symbol of female empowerment. In Circe, she defies societal norms, emphasizing self-discovery and autonomy. This narrative connects with discussions of gender equality and silenced voices. By revisiting The Odyssey with this perspective, we challenge traditional gender roles and amplify the voices of women in ancient myths. Circe reinterprets the classical characters and invites readers to question conventional narratives, exposing the limitations of The Odyssey and offering a fresh perspective on timeless stories, enriching our understanding of ancient literature in the modern world.