Circe

Circe is known in Greek mythology as the daughter of Helios, The Sun, and Perseis. Her siblings included King Perses of Tauris, King Aeetes of Colchis, and Queen Pasiphae of Minos. As a child of Perseis and Helios her nature was purely divine. She was immortal, a demi-god, free to work her magic’s without any threat of death hanging over her head. It is evident, she was a goddess to be feared. (http://www.hhhh.org/maia/Circe.html)

She was a sorceress who used her magic wand to transform people into animals. (Mangum) She would act on impulse and bring misery to anyone who crossed her. Circe used her magic in revengeful ways, and had the tendency to become violent when faced with unreciprocated love. She had fallen in love with Picus and turned him into a woodpecker once he denied her affections. Later, she desired Glaucus, who approached her and asked for her to help Scylla fall in love with him. This time she did not turn her anger against the man she loved; instead, she used her dark powers to transform Scylla into an unsightly monster that would haunt the Straits of Messina. (http://www.hhhh.org/maia/Circe.html)

Beasts whom were once men roamed on the island of Aeaea where she resided. She seemed to have an inexplicable desire to perform her magic on sailors who visited the island. It is clear, her powers were extensive and she had connections with the Underworld. She could foretell the future, transform men into beasts and women into horrifying monsters, and she had enough understanding of the activities of Hades that she could advise Odysseus on how to make it there and return safe and sound. (http://www.hhhh.org/maia/Circe.html)

Odysseus is the only man to have outdone her by resisting her magic with the help of the gods. Circe may have realized she had met a man who could match her abilities, with the gods on his side, and viewed Odysseus as an equal. She set his men free and provided Odysseus hospitality because she wanted the two of them to get together. To her, the possibilities were endless with her magic and his cleverness; they would make a fearsome team against any foe. (http://www.hhhh.org/maia/Circe.html)

Circe had a son by Odysseus, Telegonus. When Telegonus grew to manhood, he went in search of his father and accidentally killed Odysseus with a poison-tipped spear. When Telegonus realized his mistake, he became remorseful and brought the body of Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus to Circe. Circe used her powers to make Penelope and Telemachus immortal. Penelope and Telegonus later married, and Circe sent them to live on the Isle of the Blest, while Circe married Telemachus. (http://www.owlsdottir.com/goddess/water/circe.html)

Circe also had the powers of spiritual purification and had a daughter, Aega, a nymph, known as the goddess of the sun. (Mangum)

Works Cited:

“Circe.” 21 Mar 2005 http://www.owlsdottir.com/goddess/water/circe.html

“Circe: The Black Sorceress.” 20 Mar 2005 http://www.hhhh.org/maia/Circe.html

Mangum, Mark. “Circe.” 20 Mar 2005 http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/circe.html