These tales continue to showcase the protagonists’ courageous deeds. In “Circe’s Palace,” when Ulysses confronts Circe and forces her to free his men from her evil spell, his heroic nature further develops the theme of Compassion and Responsibility as Heroic Qualities. Further emphasizing this theme are the men’s impulsive and selfish decisions, which contrast with Ulysses’s mercy toward them. For instance, the sailors rashly unwrap tied bags on the ship, hoping they contain treasure. This mistake unleashes wild storms, and the raging winds blow them off course. On the island, the men make another foolish decision when they ignore Eurylochus and eagerly eat Circe’s feast, heeding only their own gluttonous appetites: “In the loftiest seats of dignity, […] they could think of nothing but their greedy appetite, […] the portion of their nature that they shared with wolves and swine; so that they resembled those vilest of animals” (55). Likewise, Circe is irresponsible in her use of magic, wielding it to entertain her whims and exercise power over others. While Ulysses could have left the men as hogs and traveled home without them, he instead shows them compassion by forcing Circe to undo her dark magic. His speech to his other sailors reveals his strong sense of duty toward his men. He tells them that, because he’s the king, “it is […] my duty to see what has befallen our comrades, and […] I am answerable for the fate of these poor mariners, who have stood by my side in battle […] I will either bring them back with me, or perish” (57). By maintaining his commitment to his sailors despite their flaws, Ulysses makes himself a model of responsible and compassionate leadership.

His action to help them (threatening Circe at sword-point) connects to the theme of Using Violence for Moral Good. Hawthorne’s interpretation of the myth depicts Circe as an evil antagonist because she needlessly uses violence to entertain herself and dispense harsh justice to people she deems unfit for human life. By turning humans into the animals she thinks they most resemble, Circe shows her predatory nature and her desire to cruelly conquer others through her magic. Her spells serve only one purpose: to aggrandize herself and help her reach her selfish ambitions. For instance, by turning King Picus into a tiny bird, Circe could steal the island’s palace and throne for herself, becoming the ruler of the island. In contrast to Circe, Ulysses uses violence only to defend others and himself. He uses the threat of death to force Circe to restore his sailors to their original human form. Having defeated Circe, Ulysses could claim the island for himself, but instead, he uses his power to help restore justice to the island by making Circe return King Picus to his human form, too: “Ulysses ordered Circe instantly to make a king of this good little fowl, and leave him exactly as she found him […] He and King Ulysses exchanged with one another the courtesies which belong to their elevated rank” (63). Ulysses’s selfless and respectful behavior shows that he has the good morals of a wise king, unlike the violent, villainous Circe.

Hawthorne’s retelling of “The Dragon’s Teeth” portrays Thasus, Cadmus, Cilix, and Phoenix as similarly noble men. Their commitment to finding Europa is a testament to their good character, as they feel responsible for their young sister. Their years-long search adds another layer to the theme of Achieving One’s Destiny Through Initiative and Hard Work. Even though the men fail to find her and the white bull, their noble effort earns them the respect of others, making them all kings of their new homelands. Cadmus particularly embodies this theme, as he humbly listens to the oracle’s instructions and works toward his destiny as the king of his new city. For instance, he tirelessly follows the wandering cow and then bravely slays the dragon that kills his friends. Cadmus also shows resilience when he overcomes his grief at losing all of his companions to the dragon. He asks, “What shall I do? […] It were better for me to have been devoured by the dragon, as my poor companions were” (41). Despite his sadness, he continues to work toward his mysterious destiny. By describing how the “exhausted” Cadmus “toiled and tugged” to get the dragon’s teeth and plant them in the ground, the text highlights his diligence and perseverance (41). By continuing to work despite his grief, exhaustion, and uncertainty, Cadmus proves that he’s another hard-working hero.