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Circe Vs Penelope

The document compares the characters Circe and Penelope, highlighting their differing responses to male dependence and their journeys towards independence. Circe is portrayed as bitter and aggressive, while Penelope is gentle and inspiring, showcasing her ability to take control of her life. Both characters reflect themes of female independence and critique societal norms, connecting to similar themes in other literary works.

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61 views2 pages

Circe Vs Penelope

The document compares the characters Circe and Penelope, highlighting their differing responses to male dependence and their journeys towards independence. Circe is portrayed as bitter and aggressive, while Penelope is gentle and inspiring, showcasing her ability to take control of her life. Both characters reflect themes of female independence and critique societal norms, connecting to similar themes in other literary works.

Uploaded by

25kgibbs
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Circe vs Penelope

Circe Penelope

First response I couldn’t really connect to Circe I liked how she pursued her own
because I don’t think men are passions rather than waiting around
bad. I think that often, they violate for her husband.
our rights but that’s because the
system is flawed.

Overall Bitter and aggressive, openly She seemed much more gentle and
impression of attacking them. that made her rejection of Odysseus
the speaker all the more powerful. It shows that
even the most timid or domestic
women can turn their lives around.

Tone of voice ● Bitter ● Matter-of-fact


● Imperative/authoritative ● Nonchalant
● Reminiscing/nostalgic ● Composed
● Regretful ● Content/satisfied
● Inspiring

Address ● Nereids ● People in the same boat as


● Nymphs her
ALL FEMALES!!! ● Public speaker addressing an
audience in need of inspiration

Style and ● Bashing men by using ● Sews a tapestry which is a


language pigs as a symbol. metaphor for her making her
● Diminishing lines of own life. She creating a path
stanza shows decrease in between herself.
enthusiasm and she ● Consonance “green, grass,
becomes more grey” → to show satisfaction
reminiscent. because it creates a rhythm.
● Alliteration used to ● Acorn represents new growth.
establish a rhythm.
● Enjambment used to
make specific words stand
out.

Structure ● The stanzas decrease ● Nine lines in each stanza --


from 11 lines to 8 lines. shows routine that Penelope
● Tone becomes less had in her life.
venemous. ● Changes from a dependent
woman to independent.

Use of source ● Serves as the context for ● Serves as the context --


story the poem. Penelope waiting for her
● Circe was a sorceress husband to come home.
who used to turn men into ● She used to weave a tapestry
pigs. and undo is every night so as
● Odysseus left her which is to avoid marrying suitors.
kind of what she’s talking
about but in more general
terms.

Themes ● Dismissal of male dependence


● Growth and independence
● Loss of naivety
○ Both were hopelessly romantic

Connections They both connect to the book’s overall theme of female independence
with other and kind of hating on the system. Like in ​Medusa​, Medusa becomes more
poems aware of what the world is really like. Red-Cap becomes mature. It’s kind
of the same theme running through.

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