Homer’s Oddessy and Gluck’s Circe’s Power
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published 22/10/2007
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SummaryThe Odyssey is filled with a large number of secondary characters that are, for the most part, very one-dimensional. Despite being very different in regards to themselves, as a whole they can be easily identified: they are briefly mentioned; they have limited dialogue; and they serve one of two functions: to either hinder or advance the journey. Furthermore, each character is described solely as they relate to Odysseus, and their motivations and drives revolve completely around Odysseus’ journey. As a result, the reader knows nothing about these characters in so much as their contribution to the plot. However, with the passage of time, there have been writers who have sought to give life and voice to these often overlooked characters, and an opportunity to see the story through their eyes. One of such individuals is Louise Glück, whose poem, “Circe’s Power,” is a modern day interpretation of Odysseus’ encounter with Circe. The greatest point of contrast between Glück’s poem and Homer’s is the nature of Circe’s transmutation of Odysseus’ men and her reason for doing it. While Homer portrays Circe as an evil sorceress who changes men into beasts for no apparent reason, Glück’s Circe is much deeper. Glück transforms Circe into a feminist, a critic of social norms, and a powerful woman who seizes control and tries to correct the injustices she witnesses.
Table of Contents
- The structure of the poem is that of a monologue, with Circe explaining why she turned Odysseus' men into pigs, why she changed them back, why she allowed them to stay, and finally why she aided them in their departure.
- As stated earlier, the greatest difference between Glück's poem and Homer's is the nature of Circe's transmutation of Odysseus' men and her reason for doing it
- I never turned anyone into a pig. /Some people are pigs; I make them /look like pigs?
- Glück also portrays Circe as a critic of social norms, which can be seen in the lines, 'Your men weren't bad men; undisciplined life /did that to them.?
- In conclusion, in Homer's Odyssey, Circe is nothing more than a secondary character:
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