From Feared to Feminist: The Adaptation of Circe

Saani

“I had been old and stern and brutal. I had been young and hopeful and mild. I had been all of these things already. They were my past, and no god may undo it. I would not forget it. Yet I did not have to be only those things. I could also be the creature I was still becoming.” – Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe is a powerful sorceress, most commonly known for her dangerous enchantments and manipulative ability to turn men into pigs. She first appears as a minor character in Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’, where she is presented as menacing threat to men who encounter her. In Madeline Miller’s 2018 feminist novel ‘Circe’, she completely subverts the narrative and reconfigures Circe into a complex, relatable woman who has to find her identity in a world where she feels isolated and overpowered.

A common trope within ancient literature is powerful women causing fear but also sparking curiosity amongst the public, and this is further embodied by Homer’s presentation of Circe. In ‘The Odyssey’, Circe uses her powers to hinder Odysseus’ journey by turning his men into pigs – the power she wields is seen as enticing and dangerous. This reflects the traditional ancient Greek anxieties when it came to women who broke out of typical submissive gender roles. Despite her depictions of power, Circe proceeds to shift into an ally to Odysseus (and even his lover!) by helping him to continue his journey – at the end of the day, Homer’s Circe ends up conforming to gender roles as she is confined to the role of  a woman who submits to the hero’s will.

On the other hand, Madeline Miller’s ‘Circe’ crafts the story through a different lens, giving Circe a voice that she didn’t have in the original epic. Miller focuses on Circe’s growth by highlighting her resilience through various struggles in a patriarchal world. Circe represents female empowerment through her transition from a minor goddess to an influential individual with the ability to create her own destiny – her enchantments are reimagined as a tool for independence rather than a threat to Odysseus. Rather than inheriting her powers, she works hard to perfect the skill, reclaiming her power on her own terms. An important part of Circe’s narrative is her exile to Aiaia as a punishment for her lack of godlike power. In Miller’s version of the story, Circe finds freedom in her isolation by finally having a chance to explore her own identity and reject traditional female roles of servitude. In this way, the challenges Circe faces are used as a stepping stone for her own personal growth.

Furthermore, the themes of identity and feminism are further enhanced through Circe’s complex interactions with men; her relationship with Odysseus is explored thoroughly to show how Circe learns about love and independence through the experience. It gives importance to her feelings and circumstances, which contrasts her role as a secondary character in ‘The Odyssey’. Additionally, Circe’s relationship with her son, Telegonus, acts as a transformative experience where she learns about nurturing nature motherhood, redefining the traditional images of goddesses being indifferent or manipulative.

Overall, Miller’s adaptation of Circe shifts the narrative to make her into the hero of her own story – she is still a powerful female character, but portrayed as complex being with flaws and strengths. Through the challenges she faces and people she meets, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, dismantling the stereotypes of the patriarchal society she lives in. Miller’s novel provides a fresh perspective for a contemporary audience, drawing on the descriptions made by Homer and transforming them into a story that symbolises female strength and power.

Sources:

Circe – Madeline Miller

The Odyssey – Homer