Circe – Madeline Miller
Give a review of the novel Circe, by Madeline Miller. Use two sources, one being the book itself and the second the poem, The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson.
Touch on the below points:
1. How successful is Miller in adapting material from the Odyssey?
2. If Miller changes materials regarding the original myth, why and how does she do so? What purpose does it serve?
3. Focus primarily on the characterization of Circe
4. Discuss in the paper: Circe’s relationship with the gods and/or humans; the changing characterization of Odysseus; the characterization of ‘minor’ characters like Hermes, Pasiphae, or Jason; the nature of the gods in general as portrayed in the novel; the novel’s sense of time.
You might also consider whether Miller’s understanding of Circe, Odysseus, and the Odyssey impacts how you understand those characters and the ancient text.
