The witch the myths called a monster tells her own story at last.
Who drives the story
The unloved, mortal-voiced daughter of the sun god who turns out to be the family's only witch. Exiled for her power, she spends centuries alone, loves a hero, raises a son, and finally trades immortality for a mortal life.
The charming hero of Troy who lands on Aiaia protected by moly and talks his way past her magic. He stays a year as her lover, then leaves for Ithaca, and dies at his own unrecognized son's hand.
Circe's son, born alone on Aiaia and raised under a spell that hides the island from gods. He begs to meet his father, accidentally kills him with the poisoned spear Circe gave him, and leaves to become Athena's hero.
Odysseus's cautious son, brought to Aiaia by Telegonus after the death. He refuses Athena's patronage, helps Circe destroy Scylla, and becomes the man she chooses mortality for.
Circe's radiant, indifferent father, god of the sun, who never defends her from Zeus's exile. She finally forces his hand by threatening to reveal her secret kindness to Prometheus.
The messenger god who visits Circe's exile as lover and news-bringer, amused by her talent for trouble. He supplies the moly that lets Odysseus resist her.
Circe's sister, married to King Minos of Crete, who bears the Minotaur to the Cretan Bull and summons Circe to help birth and tame the monster.
Circe's younger brother and childhood companion, who leaves to rule Colchis and later reveals the family's witchcraft. His stolen Golden Fleece brings Jason and Medea to Circe's door.
Odysseus's widow, who arrives on Aiaia with her son after Telegonus kills his father. She is the wife Circe's year of love was measured against.
The nymph Circe transforms out of jealousy into a six-headed, sailor-eating monster. She haunts the strait for centuries until Circe turns her to stone.
The mortal fisherman Circe loves first, made a god by her flowers. Divinity makes him arrogant; he discards her for Scylla and sets the exile in motion.
Also in the story
Circe's niece, a witch like her, who arrives fleeing Aeëtes with the stolen Golden Fleece and her brother's blood on her hands. She rebuffs Circe's warning that Jason's love is fading.
The goddess who sees Telegonus as a threat to her plans for Odysseus and menaces him for years. Denied by Telemachus, she claims Telegonus instead.
How they are connected
Circe's son, born alone on Aiaia and raised under a spell that hides the island from gods.
He begs to meet his father, accidentally kills him with the poisoned spear Circe gave him, and leaves to become Athena's hero.
Odysseus's cautious son, brought to Aiaia by Telegonus after the death.
Odysseus's cautious son, brought to Aiaia by Telegonus after the death.
He refuses Athena's patronage, helps Circe destroy Scylla, and becomes the man she chooses mortality for.
He refuses Athena's patronage, helps Circe destroy Scylla, and becomes the man she chooses mortality for.
He refuses Athena's patronage, helps Circe destroy Scylla, and becomes the man she chooses mortality for.
Circe's radiant, indifferent father, god of the sun, who never defends her from Zeus's exile.
Circe's niece, a witch like her, who arrives fleeing Aeëtes with the stolen Golden Fleece and her brother's blood on her hands.
Circe's niece, a witch like her, who arrives fleeing Aeëtes with the stolen Golden Fleece and her brother's blood on her hands.
The messenger god who visits Circe's exile as lover and news-bringer, amused by her talent for trouble.
He supplies the moly that lets Odysseus resist her.
Go deeper
Power that costs · The discarded woman's story · Mortality as a gift · Mothers, sons, and letting go
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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