Circe: the misunderstood

cr. Sulfur Books

Circe is a character I have admired in The Odyssey by Homer. Out of all the gods, heroes, and women we encounter in the epic poem, Circe always caught my eyes since the beginning. I've read and analysed her book in the poem numerous times over my three (approaching four) years in Classics lessons, and the deeper I delve into the story, the more I feel for her. And the emotions I feel whenever Circe is mentioned is, well, complicated. 

Circe, a witch banished to Aeaea, brews potions to turn men into pigs. Wicked, huh? At first, I thought, how awful of her! What have those men done to her that she'd have to turn them into pigs? And it just gets worse. Circe is then presented as a hopeless woman, who is at her knees and begging Odysseus to go to bed with her since he managed to defy her spells. That's pathetic, I remember thinking. Why would she do that to her own pride? I was disgusted by her reaction, even more in disbelief when she took care, guided and helped Odysseus and his men.

I was appalled by her actions, never understanding why she would do such things. I never liked Odysseus (which seems to make me the only few that does), and seeing someone as powerful as Circe bowing down to someone as arrogant and boastful like Odysseus just... didn't click right within me. 

I would constantly sit there, as my Classics teacher rambled on about Circe's xenia (ancient Greek concept of hospitality; rooted from believing that a stranger could be a god in disguise), thinking why on earth would Circe help these horrible men? These men who were greedy and had mistrust brewing within them; these men who were fearful of Odysseus and never complained about his wrongdoings; these men who blindly follow Odysseus, a completely flawed and awful hero that everyone seemed to respect and love. Why? 

And then I encountered book 12 in my A levels course. Book 12 of The Odyssey: Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus and his crew comes back from the Underworld and Circe welcomes them with open arms. She takes good care of them (feeds them, bathes them, give them places to rest...) for another few months before telling Odysseus what he shall do in order to get back home to Ithaca. The opening episode of book 12 was another element of surprise for me: why is Circe helping them again? Why does Circe go on to help these helpless, unworthy men again? But then, one line struck me like none other before.

... Circe took me by the hand, led me away from my good comrades, and made me sit down and tell her everything as she lay beside me. (The Odyssey, 12.33-5)

They were friends. That was the realisation I got to when I read this sentence. What Circe wanted from Odysseus wasn't sex, but stories. She wanted company, wanted someone to talk to.

And then I picked up Circe by Madeline Miller. 

This book added an extra perspective of the character that I never knew I needed. Her back story and pitiful family background added sympathy points for her. Then, when the book came to explain why she turned men of the sea into pigs, everything just suddenly clicked. She was protecting herself. She wasn't hostile, and wasn't mean; she just needed a mean to protect herself from harm.

One thing I loved about the book and the narrative was that I didn't love Circe the whole way through. With good books, I often find myself in conflict with the main character sometimes, just like how I am in conflict with my best friends sometimes. Reading about Circe was like reading about my friends; sometimes, I supported her decision and cheered her on but other times, I was frowning and failing to see why she did what she did. And that's the best kind of book, I think.

The best kinds of books allow you to think. And, boy, did this book make me think. This book touched on multiple topics, like sexual harassment, dysfunctional family, love (both parental and between lovers), respect for others and much more. Obviously, what all authors try to do is to represent the real world in a fictional world, but I think Miller does it exceptionally well, with how the plot flows and weaves through you like water. It is mesmerising, and it sucks you in so quickly you wouldn't even notice that you finished 100 pages in one go. It is honestly amazing, and I would give anything to ask her how she did it. 

Back to Circe as a character, she is definitely misunderstood in The Odyssey, which is to be blamed on the narrative. The Odyssey is, when it comes down to it, a fanfiction of Odysseus, written by Odysseus. Of course he's going to boast himself and hype himself up. But then, when reading Circe, we see a different Circe, a Circe we wouldn't expect from reading The Odyssey alone. It is a pleasant surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed the book while reading.

Nat-views: 8.5/10