therealcirce - Tumblr blog

[therealcirce]

Think Piece #2

In my last French class, I studied Circe as one of the two main stereotypical characterizations of woman in the western world (the other main figure being "Cinderella"). My teacher described the enchantress as the representation of the antagonistic female; the one who refuses man domination and therefore is seen as evil by the patriarchal society in which she lives. Her sensuality is synonym of vice and her charms, which she uses against men, are synonymous of the magical powers bestowed to her through her association with nature and the mother earth, the one "female" that men can never fully control. Therefore, in tales such as this one, the hero must conquer the will of the "Circe" in order to demonstrate his virility and ascendance over the so-called weaker sex, and therefore over his own instinct. 

This definition of the impact that Circe had as a character on literature and modern mythical conception made me expect a far greater struggle between her and Odysseus. When I read the part where she submits herself to his will, I was extremely disappointed. Where was the fierce feminist figure I had envisioned; where was the pride and passion that has for so long been associated to her? It seemed improbable to me that a demi-goddess and powerful witch like her would be vanquished so easily. 

I realized then that, for the ancient Greek, her character was not important. It did not matter that her actions were out-of-character because she, as a character, did not matter. It was the symbolism that came with her defeat that was needed, not her. 

This is why I chose to write this think piece on Circe. I wanted to have an opportunity to explore her character the way I envisioned it in my head and to give a possible explanation to her behavior.

I chose Tumblr as a platform because it enabled me to have access to different types of art forms. This way, I could play with texts, photography and animation in order to give a more complete picture of how I envisioned her character. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but combining the two makes everything a thousand times better. 

Please scroll all the way down to see the first post. I hope you enjoy it. 

[therealcirce]

My children are wise, as is their father. I have allowed my sorrow to overpower me for far too long. 

We are now all alone my loves, but we are lucky. We have each other, living reminders that, once upon a time, your father, the Great Odysseus, was among us, lived among us and belong to no one but this family. 

I was not his wife, but I am his children's mother and I will strive to make you as brave, righteous, cunning and inspiring as him.

I will ensure that you do, indeed, become your father's true sons and daughters. 

[therealcirce]

"Mother", they say, "will you abandon us so easily. Us, the children of the man you say you love. Will you follow death into the abyss of the Underworld, depriving us of the only living memory of our fathers days on this land. Will you be so selfish?"

[therealcirce]

Thanatos I beg of you, collect my soul. I cannot bear life any longer. The flames in my heart are consuming me. 

[therealcirce]

I do not want to feel anymore.

I could not bear to see him leave.

[therealcirce]

And so he is gone and I am left to my sorrow.

Sail Away 

[therealcirce]

The day has come. Odysseus has demanded to be let free to wander the sea again.

As foretold by the great god of tricks, I warned Odysseus of the perilous journey that lay ahead of him.

I have sent him to the land of the dead. Literally.

My heart is broken. My soul has died. Yet, for him and because he wants it so, I will ensure that he follows his destiny.

Even if it brings him back to the embrace of his wife.

He shall depart from the isle and complete the ritual I have told him  From that point on,his life will depend on the great Teiresias.

(by ESPRIT CONFUS)

[therealcirce]

I could not bear to send him away myself,It would have broken my heart, and so I allowed his men to remind him of the time that has gone by. 

He may have stayed this long, but this tune is a reminder of his real emotions and I cannot do anything, but submit my will to his wishes. 

So is my destiny.

[therealcirce]

Oh my love

You lay beside me every night and hold me in your arms, allowing my body to feed your cravings of the flesh. You have allowed my feasts to replenish your body.

Yet you will not let my love fill your heart.

You see our children and think of another's son.

I know you do. You think of her, waiting for you far away beyond the horizon.

Your Penelope.

You spend your days gazing at the sea. You want to see her again.

I cannot keep myself from giving you what you want.

[therealcirce]

Odysseus, my most adored Odysseus. I shall do anything you want,

Make an oath? As you wish my love.

Return your comrades to their humans forms? If you so desire?

Here, I offer you a feast, a love and a bed. I offer you every inch of my body and every piece of my heart. It is all yours.

All I desire now, is to be ruled by you. 

Odysseus and Circe by Russell Flint

Οδυσσέας και η Κίρκη από τον Russell Flint

[therealcirce]

Love.

[therealcirce]

http://blogs.mcgill.ca/oss/files/2013/04/snowdrop.jpg

No! This is impossible.

How could he have known about the snowdrop.

My heart

Like the flowers breaking through the ice when spring arrives, something is growing within my heart. 

The seed...The seed of...

[therealcirce]

He has come. He is here. Here.

Finally.

Come forth my lord. I shall give you the best life that you could want. By my side. For all eternity.

Forever belonging to me. 

Is that not true happiness?

Circe

[therealcirce]

Ah those idiotic men, so easily tricked! Now that they are here, all I have to do is wait for the oh-so-righteous Odysseus to come to me...

Arthur Hacker, Circe

[therealcirce]

And so they wish me to be a proper woman. Then I shall show them a proper woman. I will appear to these fools as a threading, sewing lady. An ideal Lady. 

And then I shall show them what the proper man looks like: a pig.

For A Woman’s Work is Never Done Eliza Bennett embroidered colored thread into her own hand to challenge the idea that work traditionally reserved for women is easy. 

[therealcirce]

The faithful day has come at last. He will be mine. From now until forever.

Red String of Fate “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.”

[therealcirce]

The waiting is back, but at least now I have my rage and my passion to keep me company.

Black and white,Love,Text,Wait - inspiring picture on PicShip.com on We Heart It http://weheartit.com/entry/24672292/via/mikee_delavega