Lines From Literature
Lines I've been loving lately.
A few lines from some of my favourite writers, past and present. This week I’m taking inspiration from Madeline Millers novel Circe.
Madeline Miller's Circe is a captivating retelling of the story of Circe, the enchantress from Greek mythology. Born to the powerful Titan Helios and the nymph Perse, Circe is initially dismissed by the gods for her lack of divine power. However, she soon discovers her unique gift for witchcraft, which sets her apart from both mortals and gods.
Banished to the island of Aiaia after using her powers in defiance of the Olympians, Circe learns to hone her skills, transforming herself from a fearful outcast into a powerful, independent figure. Throughout her immortal life, she encounters legendary figures from Greek mythology, including Hermes, Odysseus, and the Minotaur, while grappling with themes of love, loss, motherhood, and identity.
Circe is a richly woven tale of transformation and self-discovery, focusing on a woman’s journey to find her own voice and power in a world dominated by gods and men. Miller's lush prose and intimate characterisation bring new life to an often-overlooked figure, turning her into a fully realised, complex heroine.
Circe is one of my favourite novels and I highly recommend this read if you love Greek mythology, folklore and feminist retellings.
📖 Purchase Circe by Madeline Miller here
Let’s Talk about Myths Baby - Mini Myth: Circe, not Cersei, one’s a badass witch, one’s a badass B****
If you‘d like to find out more about Circe from a classics perspective check out this episode of Let’s talk about myths baby, featuring our favourite witch - Circe.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here
Circe A Pre-Raphaelite Fantasy
Discover John William Waterhouse’s painting ‘Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses’ depicting a scene from the Odyssey. Circe, a sorceress, offers a cup to Odysseus (otherwise known as Ulysses). In the cup is a potion - Circe seeks to bring Odysseus under her spell, as she has done with his crew. Two of Odysseus' crewmen have been transformed into pigs; one can be seen beside Circe's feet on the right, while the other is peering out from behind her throne on the left. Odysseus' reflection can be seen in the mirror which is behind Circe's throne.
It reflects the columns of Circe's palace, and Ulysses' ship. Odysseus, intrepid and worried about his sailors, tries to save them and on the way Hermes (the messenger of the immortals) intercepts him and tells him of Circe's intentions, advising him to find a special plant that keeps him away from the effects of Circe's drink. After Odysseus had the plant he was able to resist the evil effects of Circe's potion. So when the sorceress thought that she had had the effect of her drink, she went to touch Odysseus with her wand to complete the transformation process, and Odysseus threatened Circe with his sword, who then seduced him and coerced him into sleeping with her to return his sailors. He reluctantly agreed, and, after the job was done, she returned his sailors to their human form.
circe <3