Goddess · Character in Homer’s Odyssey

Circè

Sorceress of the wooded isle

Imperious, beguiling; ruthless to fools, lavish to friends won.

She drugs half the crew into swine before Hermes' herb makes Odysseus proof against her, then keeps the whole company feasting for a year. It is Circè who sends him to the dead, and Circè who names every danger of the way back.

Bonds

• Circè deceives Odysseus — drugs his cup; moly foils it
• Circè loves Odysseus — shares her bed after the oath
• Circè warns Odysseus — names Sirens, strait, and cattle
• Circè dwells in Aeaea — her hall in the woods

Appears in

• Book X Aeolus, the Laestrigonians, and Circè
• Book XII The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis

Scenes

1. Gifts Packed for the Voyage — Book VIII. Gifts packed, Nausicaä watches Odysseus
2. Odysseus begins his tale — Book IX. Odysseus names himself, begins tale
3. Landing at Aeaea — Book X. Survivors land, Odysseus kills stag
4. Circè’s Enchanted Halls — Book X. Eurylochus finds palace guarded by beasts
5. Turned to Swine — Book X. Circè’s wine turns men to swine
6. Hermes and the Moly — Book X. Hermes warns Odysseus, gives him moly
7. The Charm Fails — Book X. Moly shields Odysseus, he draws sword
8. The Goddess’s Oath — Book X. Circè swears no harm, feasts him
9. Odysseus Holds Out — Book X. Odysseus refuses food until swine restored
10. Reunion at the Ship — Book X. Odysseus beaches ship, fetches crew
11. Eurylochus Balks Again — Book X. Eurylochus balks, Odysseus nearly kills him
12. Welcomed by Circè — Book X. Circè bids crew shed grief
13. A Year of Feasting — Book X. Odysseus begs Circè’s leave to sail
14. The Underworld Errand — Book X. Odysseus must first consult seer Tiresias
15. Circè’s Instructions — Book X. Circè details trench, libations, rites
16. Elpenor’s Fall — Book X. Drunk Elpenor falls and dies
17. Departure for Erebus — Book X. Weeping crew boards beast-stocked ship
18. Elpenor’s Plea — Book XI. Elpenor begs burial, oar marker
19. Funeral and Return — Book XII. Crew buries Elpenor, Circè arrives
20. Circè’s Farewell Feast — Book XII. Circè feasts them, pledges to warn
21. Circè’s Final Warnings — Book XII. Circè warns to spare Helios’ cattle
22. Setting Sail Again — Book XII. Odysseus briefs crew on dangers
23. Nearing the Strait — Book XII. Odysseus defies Circè, arms himself
24. Sighting Thrinacia — Book XII. Odysseus urges crew past lowing herds

Circè is named in 28 of the poem’s scenes; these are the twenty-four that carry the most of the name.

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