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amihanbooks's review
5.0
Loved this! A thorough unmasking of the distortions of Homer's Circe from the past two millennia. Centuries of literature and art reveal how twisted Circe's image grew as societies throughout the Athenian Age and the Renaissance moved closer to patriarchies.
Her roots in The Odyssey show us her original role as a trusted lover, spiritual guide and mentor. Her image was used her to show the balance between the feminine and the masculine, the empowerment of sexuality in both sexes, and the necessity for equality and trust between the two. Yet through the tenacity of stereotypes, she has been corrupted by male scholars into the evil witch/prostitute, the dark sorceress, and the lustful enchantress.
Allegorists have conveniently warped the narrative to paint Circe as a figure who tempts and deflects a man from his true path, not as the one who points it out. If you’re interested in dismantling the negative image Circe has been pigeonholed into for too long, I highly suggest this book!
Her roots in The Odyssey show us her original role as a trusted lover, spiritual guide and mentor. Her image was used her to show the balance between the feminine and the masculine, the empowerment of sexuality in both sexes, and the necessity for equality and trust between the two. Yet through the tenacity of stereotypes, she has been corrupted by male scholars into the evil witch/prostitute, the dark sorceress, and the lustful enchantress.
Allegorists have conveniently warped the narrative to paint Circe as a figure who tempts and deflects a man from his true path, not as the one who points it out. If you’re interested in dismantling the negative image Circe has been pigeonholed into for too long, I highly suggest this book!
earthtonesreads's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Brilliantly thought out and very well structured. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say this book has rescued my Classics dissertation on the development of witches from failure and been the source of much delight. Completely recommend!
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