Circe Essay
Circe is a figure from Greek mythology that has been reimagined and brought to life in Madeline Miller’s novel “Circe”. In her novel, Miller navigates Circe’s character and gives her a voice never given before in the past. The portrayal of female characters in literature, particularly within the realm of Greek mythology, has often been full of stereotypes and limited presentations. In such narratives, women are frequently relegated to binary roles of either the virtuous housewife or the malevolent witch. However, Madeline Miller's novel "Circe'' disrupts this age-old narrative by reimagining the witchy character as a complex and empathetic figure, challenging traditional perceptions of femininity and power, offering a fresh perspective on female …show more content…
Her story revolved around her infatuation with a bull, leading to the birth of the Minotaur. Miller’s reinterpretation of Pasiphae breathes a new life into her character, by exploring Pasiphae's relationship with Circe and their shared pursuit of independence. “For her part, Pasipha is depicted as a beautiful and powerful witch, Circe’s enemy for the most part. Nevertheless, her role is an important one, since it is thanks to her that Circe understands two decisive things: the true force of their magical abilities and the essential need for female independence. Both sisters have been striving all their lives towards the same aim: self-reliance” (Morillo 2020). According to Morillo, Miller’s portrayal of Pasiphae as a beautiful and powerful witch who embodies the need for female independence marks a significant departure from traditional depictions. Through Pasiphae's character, Miller emphasizes the importance of agency and self-determination for women, highlighting themes of empowerment and resilience that resonate through the …show more content…
Known for her cleverness in devising ways to delay remarriage and for her skepticism towards the suitors’ intentions.. “In these reinterpretations, Atwood demonstrates anew the shrewdness and skepticism that are her defining features in the Odyssey. Emphasizing this aspect of her character, Atwood is in agreement with feminist criticism of the Odyssey in her account of Penelope's actions after Odysseus' return” (Suzuki, 2007). This underscores Atwood’s intention to challenge the traditional portrayal of Penelope as passive and subservient, instead depicting her as a strong woman who actively shapes her own narrative. In conclusion, the reimagining of Greek female characters by authors like Madeleine Miller and Margaret Atwood has marked a shift in the portrayal of women in literature.These novels offer fresh perspectives on characters like Circe and Penelope, challenging traditional stereotypes and binary roles through reinterpretations. Both Miller and Atwood give voices to these women, highlighting their agency, resilience, and