Circe (The Speaker)

Circe (the character from Greek mythology) is the first-person speaker in this poem. She talks back to her original portrayal in lines such as “I never turned anyone into a pig” (1). This challenges the original portrayal because the original is a stereotype of the femme fatale, regarded with a mixture of fear and desire. In Glück’s poem, Circe retains her sexual freedom and magical abilities, but she also displays benevolence and rationalism alongside her power.

In the beginning of the poem, Circe makes it clear that she values discipline. Later on, she applies discipline to her own life when circumstances lead to heartbreak and loss. By never yielding her power to Odysseus, Circe’s decision to help him and his men is just a further demonstration of her power.

Odysseus

Odysseus is the passive addressee in this poem, and his character serves mostly to...