Comparing Women In Medea And Circe

Ancient literature is filled with stories of women whether they be stories of mortals, goddesses, concubines, crones, nymphs, priestesses or witches. In many cases the women are revered as beautiful creatures, however in the case of witches this beauty seems to be superficial. Ancient witches were stigmatized as women who were evil and up to no good (Ogden). While it was common to focus on this believe, some authors challenged it. The comparison of depictions of Medea and Circe provides a chance to look at both views of women involved in ancient magic. In the cases of Medea and Circe, both well known ancient witches, authors use key differences in the witches’ behavior, their methods of exerting control over crowds and their ultimate actions

When the witches don’t get what they want, as many women tend to, they tend to lash out and seek revenge. In Medea’s case this happens more than once, but the effect seems to be congruent in all instances. Medea does not hesitate to kill if she stands to gain from the death whether it be the death of someone or something standing in her way or the death of someone or something who has done her wrong. In aiding Jason and attempting to get away with him and the golden fleece, Medea murders her very own brother, Apsyrtus, in attempts to delay the pursuit of their ship by those of her father (Ogden 85; sec 445). Not only does she help murder her brother to further her own escape, but she ruthlessly cuts his body up into pieces and casts them into the sea. Furthermore, when Jason leaves Medea and marries another woman Medea strikes again. Medea disguises herself and sneaks into Jason’s castle and sets it on fire in the attempt to kill him and his new family (Ogden 81; sec 54). She does this out of revenge and spite leading to only selfish gain of comfort in knowing that Jason can’t be happy with anyone else. Murdering the one she loved can be considered both a crime of utmost passion, pain, and evil. Circe, on the other hand, handles betrayal in a different way. Circe attempts to lure men into her house, and once

All of the differences authors include about these two witches feed directly into the different paths the two sisters take with their magic. In the case of Medea, she begins her magical journey by attempting to save prisoners from her father’s death sentence. She then aids Jason in his acquisition of the golden fleece. In effect, she helps him claim his father’s throne (Ogden 83-87). Without her help he would not have been able to complete the task or would have likely died trying. Her attempts to help people display ethical use of her magic to benefit the lives of others. When Jason leaves her, many years later however, Medea’s use of her magic quickly turns sinister. Instead of helping others she begins to seek vengeance. She murders numerous people including kings, children, and through depression, her own husband (Ogden 81; sec 54). As seen through these actions, the moral progression of Medea’s magic is from good to bad. This indeed fits the stereotypical belief of the time that women who practiced magic were evil and up to no good. Circe on the other hand has a contradictory personal journey. In the beginning of Circe’s journey, she is found living on an island turning male visitors into animals for an unclear reason. She is stripping these men of their ability to return to their homes and trapping them on her island and in many cases, making them