Transformations of Circe: The History of an Enchantress

From Library Journal The ancient goddess Circe is best remembered as the enchantress who tempted the mighty Odysseus and turned some of his unfortunate crew into swine in Homer's Odyssey . In this work, Yarnall (literature, Johnson State Coll., Vt.) examines the goddess's role in the Odyssey , as well as her appearance in various other literary works throughout history. The author suggests that Circe is an archetypal character associated with human vulnerability and feminine sexual attractiveness. She traces Circe's longevity throughout human social history, from goddess worship in Neolithic Anatolia to her presence in modern literary works by Eudora Welty and others. Yarnall correlates the relationship between the roles of women in society and society's attitudes toward feminine mythological figures. She presents a well-written study that will enhance any collection.- Jacqueline Garlesky, Univ. of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Pa.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.