69 pages • 2-hour read
Madeline MillerA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.
A nymph and daughter of a Titan, she possesses golden eyes and a human-sounding voice. Isolated from her cruel divine family, she displays an unusual empathy for mortals and refuses to delight in their suffering. She eventually discovers her affinity for witchcraft, learning to transform the physical world through the magical properties of herbs.
The god of the sun and the strongest Titan alive. He is austere and commanding. He tolerates no disrespect from his court, valuing his children based entirely on their political usefulness or prestige.
The beautiful sister of Circe who becomes the queen of Crete. She practices witchcraft focused on poisons. She constantly seeks to elevate her own status among the gods, using her magic to exert control over her royal household.
A clever god who grows up inseparable from Circe. He displays wisdom from a young age but quickly abandons his sister when offered a kingdom in Colchis. He discovers the limits of witchcraft and pushes them to achieve tremendous magical power.
A graying warrior prince returning from the Trojan War. He is charming and highly intelligent, carrying the heavy mental toll of combat. He stays on Aiaia for an extended time, sharing stories of his monstrous trials and complex leadership decisions.
Companion of Circe
Husband of Penelope
Father of Telemachus
Father of Telegonus
Favored mortal of Athena
A genius mortal inventor serving the royal court in Crete. He builds incredible wonders, including an intricate loom. He remains trapped in the service of Pasiphaë and Minos due to his love for his child.
The demigod son of Circe and Odysseus. He grows up entirely isolated on Aiaia, shielded from harm by his mother's protective magic. He possesses a natural charisma and naive optimism about the outside world.
The mortal son of Odysseus and Penelope. Unlike his father, he does not search for hidden meanings or carry personal agendas. He is straightforward, skilled in practical trades, and rejects traditional paths of heroic glory.
A Titan who disobeys Zeus for the benefit of humans. He openly confesses to the crime and accepts severe punishment. His quiet endurance deeply impacts a young Circe.
Uncle of Circe
A hard-working mortal fisherman who fears Circe's divine nature initially. After Circe uses magic to transform him into a sea god, he changes completely. He adopts the arrogance and casual callousness typical of immortals.
Admirer of Circe
Suitor of Scylla
A beautiful nymph who earns Circe's jealousy. Through magical interference, she is transformed into a terrifying monster that preys on mortal sailors. Her fate represents a permanent source of guilt for Circe.
Romantic interest of Glaucos
Victim of Circe
The shrewd messenger god and son of Zeus. He visits Aiaia purely for amusement and gossip. He offers Circe intermittent company in exchange for her stories and hospitality.
Companion of Circe
Messenger for Athena
The mortal wife of Odysseus. She travels to Aiaia to protect her son from divine interference. She proves to be a gracious guest, sharing stories at the loom and demonstrating an aptitude for learning witchcraft.
The powerful Olympian goddess of war and wisdom. She operates strictly according to the Fates and manipulates mortal lives to achieve her desired outcomes. She clashes violently with Circe's protective magic over the fate of Telegonus.
The mortal son of Zeus and king of Crete. He is abusive and arrogant, though heavily controlled by his wife's specialized poisonous magic.
Husband of Pasiphaë
The sweet, soft-spoken mortal daughter of Pasiphaë. Unlike her mother, she displays deep pity for the monstrous Minotaur and treats the creature with uncharacteristic compassion.
Daughter of Pasiphaë
The young mortal son of Daedalus. His presence in Crete forces his genius father to remain in the service of Queen Pasiphaë.
Son of Daedalus
An old, powerful stingray god possessing a lethally poisonous tail. He requires immense sacrifice and pain from anyone seeking to claim a piece of his power.
Bargains with Circe