definition/description of circe - wenatchee high...

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Odysseus’

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Cyclops

Odysseus

Neil Zobel

Freshman English, Period ?

16 February 2012

Circe Circe

Definition/Description of Circe

The daughter of Helios the Sun-god and Perse, anOceanid.

Homer calls Circe a goddess, and describes her home onAeaea as a stone house. Round the house prowled lionsand wolves, the drugged victims of Circe’s sorcery.

The members of Odysseus’ advance party are all turnedinto swine, except Eurylochus, who had suspectedtreachery. Odysseus himself, setting out to rescue hismen, was intercepted by Hermes who taught him how tocounter Circe’s magic.

He spent a year in Circe’s company, and when he felt hehad to leave, she gave him instructions for his homewardjourney, directing him to go to the realm of Hades toconsult the spirits of the dead (principally the blindprophet Teiresias. (Who’s Who in Classical Mythology)

Circe

Analysis

Circe is the first of two goddesses who tempt thewayward Odysseus. Although he seccumbs to thetemptations of Circe and Calypso, his heart ever remainsfaithful to his wife, Penelope, who waits on Ithaca for hissafe return.

Circe’s magic transforms Odysseus’ men into animals,but her magic fails on him due to the help of the godHermes.

Odysseus is assisted on his way home by the council ofCirce. This is an odd factor. She advises him to consultthe blind prophet Teiresias in Hades, first. Then, upon hisreturn trip to her, Circe warns Odsseus of the dangers ofThe Sirens, Charybdis, Scylla, and the golden cattle ofHyperion on the isle of Thrinakia.

Works Cited

“Circe.” Who’s Who in Classical Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press.1973. 86.

“Circe.” Wikipedia. 14 Feb. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circe>.

“Cyclops.” Teach With Movies. 14 Feb. 2012.<http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/odyssey.html>.

“Odysseus.” Teach With Movies. 14 Feb. 2012.<http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/odyssey.html>.