Question

How does circe both hinder and help odysseus? cite evidence from the text to support your answer?

Answer 1

Circe initially hinders Odysseus by turning his men into swine, but later helps him by reversing the spell, providing valuable advice for his journey, and offering hospitality for a year.

Step-by-step explanation:

Circe both hinders and helps Odysseus in Homer's epic. Initially, she hinders him by using her magical powers to turn his men into swine. However, she later becomes a helper to Odysseus by transforming his men back into humans, providing him with essential advice for his journey, and hosting him and his crew for a year. This example of hindrance and then assistance highlights the complex nature of Circe's character and her relationship with Odysseus.

Circe's hindrance is evident when Odysseus's men are transformed into animals, a clear obstacle in their journey. Conversely, her assistance comes through later, as she not only reverses the transformation but also provides Odysseus with knowledge of the challenges ahead, such as the Sirens and Scylla and Charybdis, ultimately aiding his eventual return to Ithaca. Additionally, Circe's nurturing of Odysseus and his crew for a year offers them a much-needed respite.

Therefore, Circe's role in the Odyssey is dual-faceted, embodying both hindrance and help, capturing the complexities of the interactions between mortals and deities in ancient Greek mythology.

Answer 2

Circe hinders Odysseus by turning his men into swine. She helps him by telling him he must go see Tiresias, a blind prophet of Thebes, in the land of the dead.

Circe helps Odysseus because when he gets back from the land of the dead, he goes back to Circe and she gives him more good advice. She is the one who tells him how he should get past the Sirens and the Scylla and Charybdis. She also tells him not to kill the sun god's cattle.

Hope this helps and warm wishes to you