Questions and Answers
Who helped Theseus kill the Minotaur?
Who is the brother of Circe?
Aeetes
What did Calypso do to Odysseus?
Kept him on her island for seven years
What is Helios known as?
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Who are the nine muses' mother?
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Who is the king of Crete and son of Zeus?
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The Minotaur was the child of the queen Pasiphae and a sacred white bull.
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Who was the swiftest warrior of his generation?
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What transformation did Glaucos undergo?
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Who was Odysseus' loyal wife?
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What did Circe turn Odysseus' men into?
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Who is the goddess of childbearing?
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Match the following characters with their descriptions:
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Eurylochos was in favor of killing Helios' sacred cows.
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Study Notes
Key Characters and Their Roles
- Theseus: Prince of Athens; kills the Minotaur in Crete with Ariadne's help.
- Aeetes: Circe's brother, sorcerer-king of Colchis, father of Medea, keeper of the Golden Fleece.
- Boreas: Personification of the north wind; responsible for the death of Hyacinthos.
- Calypso: Daughter of Atlas; keeps Odysseus on her island, Ogygia, for seven years.
- Circe: Witch on Amalia; transforms men into pigs; has a significant literary legacy.
- Helios: Sun Titan; father of Circe and others; drives a chariot across the sky.
- Mnemosyne: Goddess of memory; mother of the nine muses.
- Nereus: Early sea god, father of many sea-nymphs including Thetis.
- Oceanos: Titan god of the encircling river; Circe's grandfather.
- Pasiphae: Powerful witch; mother of the Minotaur with a sacred bull.
- Perse: Oceanid and Circe's mother; associated with witchcraft.
- Prometheus: Titan who defied Zeus for humanity; punished by being chained and having his liver eaten daily.
- Proteus: Shape-shifting sea god; guardian of Poseidon's seals.
- Selene: Goddess of the moon; drives a chariot at night.
- Tethys: Titaness of the sea; Circe's grandmother, originally associated with fresh water.
Olympian Divinities
- Apollo: God of light, music, and medicine; son of Zeus.
- Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, sister to Apollo; involved in the fate of Ariadne.
- Athena: Goddess of wisdom and war; protector of Odysseus.
- Dionysus: God of wine; commanded Theseus to abandon Ariadne.
- Eileithyia: Goddess of childbirth; assists mothers during labor.
- Hermes: Messenger god; aids Odysseus against Circe's magic.
- Zeus: King of the gods; father to many Olympians and mortals.
Notable Mortals
- Achilles: Greatest warrior of his time; known for his role in the Trojan War and tragic fate.
- Agamemnon: Ruler of Mycenae; leader in the Trojan War, murdered by his wife upon return.
- Ariadne: Aids Theseus in slaying the Minotaur; later abandoned by him.
- Daedalus: Master craftsman; created the Labyrinth to contain the Minotaur.
- Elpenor: Crew member of Odysseus; dies in Circe’s home.
- Eurycleia: Odysseus' nurse; recognizes him by a scar upon his return.
- Eurylochos: Odysseus' cousin; persuades crew to eat Helios' sacred cattle.
- Hector: Trojan prince; slain by Achilles in revenge for Patroclus’ death.
- Helen: Most beautiful woman; her abduction sparked the Trojan War.
- Heracles: Famous hero known for performing twelve labors.
- Icarus: Son of Daedalus; dies flying too close to the sun.
- Jason: Seeks the Golden Fleece; aided by Medea.
- Medea: Powerful sorceress; plays a central role in Jason's quest.
- Odysseus: Cunning hero; known for his long journey home after the Trojan War.
- Penelope: Odysseus' loyal wife; clever in her attempts to delay remarriage.
Notable Monsters
- Charybdis: Whirlpool opposing Scylla, dangerous to sailors.
- Minotaur: Half-man, half-bull; killed by Theseus.
- Polyphemus: Cyclops; blinds Odysseus to escape confinement.
- Scylla: Multi-headed monster; preys on sailors passing through her straits.
- Sirens: Enchanting singers; lure sailors to their doom.
Significant Myths and Themes
- Resilience and cleverness in overcoming trials, as demonstrated by Odysseus.
- The interplay between divine beings and mortals, showcasing intervention, punishment, and assistance.
- Transformations and complex relationships among characters, especially in love and vengeance.
- The enduring legacy of characters like Circe and Odysseus in literature, influencing numerous works across time.
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Description
Test your knowledge of characters from 'Circe' by Madeline Miller with these flashcards. Explore the definitions and roles of pivotal figures such as Theseus and Aeetes in the narrative. Perfect for fans of mythology and literature!
