Green 1

Claire Green

Mrs. Dietrich

Honors English 10

6 March 2017

Circes

Research Paper

The Greek goddess Circe is not only fascinating for her witchcraft, but also for her

ability to seduce people. Through her power, knowledge, and wand, Circe is able to do the

impossible.Witchcraft was known as one of the strongest powers in Greek mythology.

Having this ability is what makes Circe unique from the gods and goddesses. Circe is

significant in Greek mythology through her powers, origin, features, and her role in the

Odyssey. In addition, because Circe is a temptress she stands out among the other creatures

of Greek mythology.

Circe is an extremely powerful witch. Her traits and powers make her a mesmerizing

temptress. A temptress is a woman who tempts someone to do something they normally

would not do. (Karas www.greekmythololgy.com) Circe is very successful at this due to her

incredible beauty. Circes long red hair is pulled back into braids, and a string skirt covers her

legs. Her hair is so red that it resembles fire. Her beauty makes her already powerful

seductiveness irresistible to her enemies. (Karas www.greekmythololgy.com) In her

presence, and because of her enchantments the woods could move, the ground rumble, and

the trees around her turn white (Karas www.greekmythololgy.com).

Circe was able to destroy her enemies with poisonous juices. Her understanding of

potions and herbs gave her even more strength over her enemies. (Parade
 Green 2

www.maicar.com) Through the power of her wand, Circe was able to transform her enemies

into animals. (Parade www.maicar.com) Although she is a witch, Circe is often referred to

as the goddess of magic. She is said to be able to darken the heavens by hiding the sun or

moon and destroying her enemies with poisonous juices, (Parade www.maicar.com)

In addition to these powers, Circes was said to have been able to make people

hallucinate. She could make her victims see images and visions of beasts. Circes witchcraft

didnt only affect her victims. Often times, witchcraft can affect those who practice it as well.

(Kirke) At night Circes palace would be full of visions. This would keep Circe up all night in

fear. However in the morning she was able to clean herself up and forget about the terrors.

She could bath and clean her garments, forgetting the nights terrors, (Kirke). Many of the

beasts that surrounded Circes could not be seen anywhere else, but on her island. Circes

visions and powers werent the only thing she focused on throughout the day.

Circe spent her days on her island living very luxuriously. Some of those who visited

the island of Aeaea say that Circe used to sit on a thrown wearing a purple robe and a golden

veil, (Kirke) She had servants that were called nymphs. A nymph was a mythical spirit of

nature. They were often thought of as being very beautiful. These nymphs were responsible

for sorting out plants and flowers. After sorting them, the nymphs were to place them into

separate baskets. (Kirke) In addition to these nymphs many people believe that Circe had

four maids. The first maid was responsible for throwing covers over the chairs around her

palace. The second was to pull silver tables up to the chairs. After this she would place

golden baskets on the tables. The third maid would mix the wine. Lastly, the fourth would get

water and start a fire to boil it. After this, Circe would go to work using her witchcraft and

knowledge of herbs to mix poisons and drugs for her victims. (Kirke) In addition to this,
 Green 3

Circe would keep herself occupied with other activities during the day. She would sing

stunningly while weaving fabrics. Once she was finished she would decorate them. Before

she came to this island, Circe was born from two prevailing parents. (Kirke)

Circe derives from a powerful family. Circe is the daughter Helios. Her father is one

of the titans. He was very powerful and most-known for being the god of the sun. Her mother

is Perse, an Oceanid. Oceanids are sea nymphs, who are daughters of the Titans Oceanus and

Tethys. (Yarnell 13)Having these parents is unique because she is connected by the energies

of the sea and the light (Yarnall 13). Circes brother is Aeetes, is the guardian of the Golden

Fleece. Her sisters include Perses and Pasiphae. (Yarnall 15) Perses was an Oceanid. This

means that she was one of the three thousand daughters of Titans Oceanus. (Yarnall 15)

Pasphiphae was the wife of minos. (Yarnall 15) The leaves Circe as the third daughter of

Helios. Circes name came from the Greek word Kirke. Although it is unsure, Kirke is

thought to mean bird, (Kirke). In addition to Circes origin, her residence is remarkable.

The mythical island and places of Greek mythology were very interesting.

Specifically, the mythical island of Aeaeae was thought to be the place where Circe lived.

The geographical location of the island is unknown. However it is believed to be in the west.

Circe came to the island on the chariot of Helios. During her father journey to take Circes

sister to Tyrrhenia where she lived, Circe was put on the chariot, (Kirke). Her father left her

on the island of Aeaea, which became known as Circes new home. She lives in a palace,

which is full of her magic, (Kirke) She is treated like a queen and sits on a thrown,

overseeing all that occurs on her island. This island brings Circe into the lives of Odysseus

and his men when they accidentally crash onto it.

 Green 4

Circe plays a major role in the epic poem The Odyssey. In this epic poem Odysseus in

his men are faced with many obstacles. During their journey home they are forced to face

many creatures of Greek mythology. However, time and time again Odysseus is able to

overcome the odds and make it out alive. While the men are on the Aeaea island, Circes

drugs a group of Odysseuss men. After drugging them, Circe uses her wand to turn the men

into pigs. (Homer 9) Odysseus knows he must save his men, however he is not able to do it

alone. Before he sets out Hermes approaches him in the form of a young man. Hermes knows

that even Odysseus will not be able to survive Circes drug, so he tells him to eat an herb

called moly. (Homer 9) This will protect Odysseus from the powers of Circes potion.

Hermes explains to Odysseus that he needs to lunge at Circe when she tries to strike him with

her sword. Odysseus follows Hermes directions and is able to suppress Circes. He forces her

to reverse the spell on his men. (Homer 9)

After Odysseuss success in saving his men, he becomes Circes lover. The temptress

allows him and his men to live in luxury on her island for almost a year. Although their

lifestyle has been lavish, Odysseus men convince him to finish is voyage home. (Homer 10)

In order to get back to Ithaca, Odysseus seeks Circes help with directions. She tells him he

must sail to the under world, Hades, and speak with Tiresias. The spirit Tiresias is a blind

prophet who is able to direct Odysseus and his men.

Circe embraces a crucial role in the Odyssey. She is especially unique compared to

the other characters of the epic poem. Circe emerges from and recedes into mystery,

(Yarnall 10). This means that Odysseus was faced with the unknown when he first meets

Circe. He is on an unknown island, and he is unaware of her powers. Similarly, when

Odysseus leaves the island is unaware of where Circe is sending him. Once again, Odysseus
 Green 5

is prepared to face the unknown dangers of a new place with new creatures of Greek

mythology. In a way, Circes role in journey is to provide him with guidance in his life during

a time that he is lost. She does not appear until he is thoroughly lost, and she does not

disappear until he has regained some sense of his bearings, (Yarnall 9)

In conclusion, there are many elements to Circes background. She was born into a

unique family of powerful heritage, and important roles in Greek mythology, and from the

moment she is born Circe continues to a make a story for herself. She finds a unique place to

reside and call her own. Also, she used her unique powers and intelligence to over power

those who come to her island, and are unwelcomed. No only does Circe standout in Greek

mythology due to her witchcraft, but also her role in the Odyssey is crucial to the plot of the

epic poem.
 Green 6

Claire Green

Mrs. Dietrich

Honors English 10

5 March 2017

Circe

Annotated Bibliography

Circe - Greek Mythology Link. Circe - Greek Mythology Link,

www.maicar.com/GML/Circe.html. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.

This website provided an abidance of information on Circes role in Greek

mythology. It gave me a background on her importance and significance. The authors are

Michael Karas and Mesa Charilaos.

Circe. Greek Mythology, www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Circe/circe.html.

5 Mar. 2017.

Information on the powers of Circe were provided on this webpage. It gave me facts

on her witchcraft and the abilities of her wand.

Homer, and E. V. Rieu. The Odyssey. London, Penguin Books, 1996.

This is a book that included endless amounts of information on Greek gods and

goddesses. This book includes the story of how Circe affected Odysseus and his men during

their journey. I got information of Circes role in the Odyssey from this source, and the

outcome of her story.

 Green 7

KIRKE. CIRCE (Kirke) - Greek Goddess of Sorcery, Sorceress of Aeaea,

www.theoi.com/Titan/Kirke.html. 5 Mar. 2017.

This website provided information on Circes background. This included facts such as

her parents and siblings.

Klimczak, Natalia. The Spellbinding Story of Circe, Goddess of Magic. Ancient

Origins, Ancient Origins, www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/spellbinding-story-

circe-goddess-magic-006787. 5 Mar. 2017.

This source was helpful in learning about Circes residence, and the significance of

her island.

Yarnall, Judith. The Transformation of Circe the History of an Archetypical Character.

This book provided stories of Circes transformation throughout her life. I learned

more about her origin and personality from this source.

 Green 8

Claire Green

Mrs. Dietrich

Honors English 10

2 March 2017

Outline

I. Introduction

A. Grabber The Green goddess Circe is not only fascinating for her witchcraft,

butalso her ability to lure people in.

B. Thesis Circe is significant in Greek mythology through her witchcraft, origin,

characteristics, and her role in the Odyssey

C. Main points

1 Traits and powers

2 Daily life

3 Origin and Heritage

4 Circes Residence

5 Circe role in the Odyssey

II Body:

A. Main Point I: Traits and powers as a temptress

1 What is a temptress
2 Circes physical appearance
 Green 9

3 The power of her wand

4 Her hallucinations and visions

B Main point II: Daily life

1 How the nymphs help her

2 Their jobs
3 Her four servants
4 Her daily activities
5 How she lives (luxuriously)

C Main Point IV: Origin

1 Family history
2 Parents and their background
3 Siblings and their background
4 Name (meaning)

D Main point III: Residence

1 Where she lives and what its called

2 How she got there
3 How she lives on the island
4 Who helped her get to her home

E Main point VI: Role in the Odyssey

1 Odysseus and his men crash onto their island

2 She captures a group of his men
3 He sets out to save them
4 He gets advice from Hermes
5 He succeeds in getting them back
6 He becomes Circes lover and they live on the island for a year
7 She gives him guidance on how to get home
8 Circe is not an ordinary character (she is crucial to the plot)
9 She stays with Odysseus until he was regained a sense of his bearings

III Restate thesis:

She used her unique powers and intelligence to over power those who come to her island,

and are unwelcomed. No only does Circe standout in Greek mythology due to her witchcraft,

but also her role in the Odyssey is crucial to the plot of the epic poem.

IV Sum up each main point:

 Green 10

She was born into a unique family of powerful heritage, and important roles in Greek

mythology, and from the moment she is born Circe continues to a make a story for herself.

She finds a unique place to reside and call her own.