Circe, a powerful goddess and enchantress in Greek mythology, is known for her mastery of transformation and sorcery. The daughter of Helios and the nymph Perseis, she resides on the remote island of Aeaea, where she transforms men into wild animals. In The Odyssey, she famously encounters Odysseus, turning his men into pigs until he resists her magic with Hermes' help. Beyond The Odyssey, Circe appears in various myths as both nurturing and dangerous—a symbol of feminine power. Modern interpretations, like Madeline Miller’s Circe, reframe her as a tragic figure seeking love and agency in a world hostile to women’s autonomy.

Myths like Circe’s shape our worldview—they influence how we perceive power, gender, and morality. Circe, once seen as a wicked seductress leading heroes astray, is now reexamined as a victim of circumstance, challenging the traditional narrative. Historically, women have often been cast as villains to explain the failings of men. After all, Odysseus is married—Circe is not.

It's essential to question the narratives we inherit: What do they tell us? What do they make us believe? What image do they paint? Stories often present only one side. What impact does a myth where a witch is evil have on us? What does it mean when a desperate woman is villainized? What happens when women wield power in these stories? And what happens when they fail to? Through Circe, we confront these questions, exploring the power of myth to both reinforce and challenge societal perceptions.