Circe
chapter 7
Summarizer
Major characters and their roles: Eurylochus leads group of men to Circe's castle to explore and they all get turned to pigs which leads Eurylochus to tell the story to Ulysses.
Ulysses explores island and finds Circe's castle and his men turned to pigs. He then convinces Circe to let them free and not to harm him.
Circe is a sorceress who turns Ulysses men into pigs.
Conflicts: Man vs Man Ulysses tricks Circe into swearing on oath that she will unturn his crew from pigs and not harm him or them anymore.
Man vs Self Ulysses decides to leave Circe and continue on his voyage which leaves him heart broken and furious.
Questions to Discuss
1. If Circe were to turn you into an animal, what animal would you be?
2. If you were to choose would you stay with Circe or leave?
3. Does Ulysses really want to leave Circe or does he just think that it is the right thing to do?
4. If Ulysses did not have a family back in Ithaca, do you think that he would have stayed with Circe?
Literary Luminary
"Ulysses found himself with only 45 men left from his crew of 100. He was determined to bring these men home safely or die himself." page 47
The significance in this quote is because it represents a change in the story. Before this Ulysses put others out to die before himself and that is why he lost so many men. But now he is planning on dying himself instead of watching the rest of his crew die.
"Perhaps our luck has changed. Perhaps the god was playing with us so spitefully has found other amusements." page 51
This quote is significant because from this point on Ulysses feels as though they will be safe and can make it home to Ithaca because the gods do not feel like they have to torture them anymore. This quote represents a major change in the mood of the story because now it is happy since Ulysses feels as though they are safe.
" a kind of porridge made of cheese, barley, honey, and wine plus a few secret things known only to herself." page 55
When you read this quote it immediately makes you feel like something and is going to happen, because Circe clearly doesn't want anyone else to know what is in the porridge. This changes our feelings about Circe because we know after reading this quote she wants to do something bad to these men.
"As for Ulysses, he found himself falling deeper under Circe's spell everyday. Thoughts of home were dim now. He barely remembered his wife's face." page 65
At this point in the story we do not know whether Ulysses is going to stay or leave. The quote is significant because his choice could change the whole plot of the story, returning to Ithaca or he could continue on his journey. Whatever decision he makes will help determine what will happen in the rest of the story.
"I must resume my voyage for that is my nature." page 70
This quote proves that Ulysses is very strong because he felt very comfortable with Circe but he decides that he can't give up on his dream of returning home to Ithaca.
Major characters and their roles: Eurylochus leads group of men to Circe's castle to explore and they all get turned to pigs which leads Eurylochus to tell the story to Ulysses.
Ulysses explores island and finds Circe's castle and his men turned to pigs. He then convinces Circe to let them free and not to harm him.
Circe is a sorceress who turns Ulysses men into pigs.
Conflicts: Man vs Man Ulysses tricks Circe into swearing on oath that she will unturn his crew from pigs and not harm him or them anymore.
Man vs Self Ulysses decides to leave Circe and continue on his voyage which leaves him heart broken and furious.
Questions to Discuss
1. If Circe were to turn you into an animal, what animal would you be?
2. If you were to choose would you stay with Circe or leave?
3. Does Ulysses really want to leave Circe or does he just think that it is the right thing to do?
4. If Ulysses did not have a family back in Ithaca, do you think that he would have stayed with Circe?
Literary Luminary
"Ulysses found himself with only 45 men left from his crew of 100. He was determined to bring these men home safely or die himself." page 47
The significance in this quote is because it represents a change in the story. Before this Ulysses put others out to die before himself and that is why he lost so many men. But now he is planning on dying himself instead of watching the rest of his crew die.
"Perhaps our luck has changed. Perhaps the god was playing with us so spitefully has found other amusements." page 51
This quote is significant because from this point on Ulysses feels as though they will be safe and can make it home to Ithaca because the gods do not feel like they have to torture them anymore. This quote represents a major change in the mood of the story because now it is happy since Ulysses feels as though they are safe.
" a kind of porridge made of cheese, barley, honey, and wine plus a few secret things known only to herself." page 55
When you read this quote it immediately makes you feel like something and is going to happen, because Circe clearly doesn't want anyone else to know what is in the porridge. This changes our feelings about Circe because we know after reading this quote she wants to do something bad to these men.
"As for Ulysses, he found himself falling deeper under Circe's spell everyday. Thoughts of home were dim now. He barely remembered his wife's face." page 65
At this point in the story we do not know whether Ulysses is going to stay or leave. The quote is significant because his choice could change the whole plot of the story, returning to Ithaca or he could continue on his journey. Whatever decision he makes will help determine what will happen in the rest of the story.
"I must resume my voyage for that is my nature." page 70
This quote proves that Ulysses is very strong because he felt very comfortable with Circe but he decides that he can't give up on his dream of returning home to Ithaca.
Text Detective
Simile: "The great stag had a bearing proud as a king..." page 49
Simile: "Ulysses felt that he wanted to plunge his face into it and grub it up like a pig." page 61
Simile: "He would wimper impatently like a dog dreaming." page 67
Simile: "He picked up weeds and wove a rope, which he twisted and twisted again until it was as strong as a ship's line." page 49-50
Simile: "The great stag had a bearing proud as a king..." page 49
Simile: "Ulysses felt that he wanted to plunge his face into it and grub it up like a pig." page 61
Simile: "He would wimper impatently like a dog dreaming." page 67
Simile: "He picked up weeds and wove a rope, which he twisted and twisted again until it was as strong as a ship's line." page 49-50
Research:
The Greek god, Circe plays a major role in this chapter turning more than 20 of Ulysses' men into pigs. But also marrying Ulysses. So i have decided to research Circe.
I found many interesting details about Circe, including her family. Circe is the daughter of the sun god, Helios and an ocean nymph named Perse.
Circe was a sorceress mostly known for her ability to turn men into animals with her magical wand. Circe also has the powers of spiritual purification(possibly later in the book). Ulysses and Circe had a child named Telegonis who later ruled over the Tyrsenians. Circe lives on the enchanting island of Aeaea with all of her husbands that she had turned into animals based on their most prominent character traits. Circe said if she were to turn Ulysses into an animal, she would make him a fox.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/118248/Circe
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/circe.html
The Greek god, Circe plays a major role in this chapter turning more than 20 of Ulysses' men into pigs. But also marrying Ulysses. So i have decided to research Circe.
I found many interesting details about Circe, including her family. Circe is the daughter of the sun god, Helios and an ocean nymph named Perse.
Circe was a sorceress mostly known for her ability to turn men into animals with her magical wand. Circe also has the powers of spiritual purification(possibly later in the book). Ulysses and Circe had a child named Telegonis who later ruled over the Tyrsenians. Circe lives on the enchanting island of Aeaea with all of her husbands that she had turned into animals based on their most prominent character traits. Circe said if she were to turn Ulysses into an animal, she would make him a fox.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/118248/Circe
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/circe.html