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Circe by Madeline Miller
This novel is an intricately detailed revision of the tale of Circe, weaving together many different myths into one person’s perspective on events. This is a unique take on retelling mythology, as it intertwines with many others’ fates due to the main book perspective revolving around an immortal figure. Miller garners sympathy for Circe, showing how truly terrifying an eternal life of solitude could be, confined to a small region for the rest of one’s existence. Miller also highlights how inclined the gods are to petty acts, and that the majority of characters within myths are often driven by momentary emotion.
While this version of the mythology is captivating, the original tale of Circe is important to consider for contrasting purposes. Other notable characters within this novel, such as Hermes, have their own motivations that critically affect how the rest of the novel is interwoven.
As per tradition, below is a list of consideration questions reflecting on this novel:
How would the course of the events within this novel change, had the main mythological characters behaved more civilly, or rather, not acted on a whim when it comes to irreversible actions?
Does Circe fairly deserve the reader’s sympathy?
Would complete isolation be considered worse than death to an immortal being?
Cassandra by Christa Wolf
This novel is composed of several writings, with the main component being a retelling of the myth of Cassandra. In essence, this version of Cassandra deals heavily with themes of feminism and self-reflection, as well as how one can be complicit in upholding values that may not be aimed towards the wellbeing of many. This is in part due to the author, Christa Wolf, having an upbringing in East Germany post World War II. During her time in East Germany, she formed her political stances which she later depicted in her many novels and retellings. Through this novel, Christa Wolf pushed forward her ideas and sentiments surrounding issues that she had dealt with.
This novel adds additional characters to the original story of Cassandra, but a summary of the original myth can be found here. Furthermore, Cassandra is but a small part of a larger mythology, that being The Oresteia. The Oresteia is composed of three parts, but an overview of the work can give further context to the story of Cassandra.
For consideration, here are a few questions pertaining to Cassandra:
Why does Cassandra accept her fate after initially rejecting it?
How was Cassandra compliant with upholding the status quo, and how did this lead to her current state?
What message does Wolf intend to push with this narrative?
Why would this novel be seen as controversial with how it regards such a message?
House of Names by Colm Toibin
House of Names is an interpretation of the Greek myth: the Oresteia. This version of the mythology is told in a first person perspective regarding Clytemnestra, in an attempt to humanize her and the motivation behind her crimes. Events within this novel are described in excruciating detail, such as the sacrifice-- or murder-- of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon’s daughters. Toibin fleshes out people’s motivations, and interprets the myth in a rather modern sense, so that readers may sympathize with the characters. Through this book, Toibin dives into Clytemnestra’s humanity and analyzes moral issues such as revenge and justice.
Clytemnestra is a major character within this novel, her story being the first to be read in this novel. For this reason, it’s important to understand who Clytemnestra was in Greek mythology. Another necessary source to consider is the original mythology, the Oresteia. This source describes the original version of the myth and it’s major plot points.
Within this novel are some important motifs, one of which is the concept of death. Clytemnestra is consistently plagued by the rotting smell of death, which is emphasized at the beginning of the novel. The lingering heaviness of death and its finality are further interwoven into the story with a similar motif: lack of faith in the gods. The combination of these two motifs lead to the entire story’s plot, and how Clytemnestra takes it upon herself to carry out revenge with confidence.
Although, this begs the question: Did Clytemnestra carry out justice in a suitable way?
Clytemnestra herself states that death leads to more death, therefore, was killing Agamemnon the best choice?
This novel is an intricately detailed revision of the tale of Circe, weaving together many different myths into one person’s perspective on events. This is a unique take on retelling mythology, as it intertwines with many others’ fates due to the main book perspective revolving around an immortal figure. Miller garners sympathy for Circe, showing how truly terrifying an eternal life of solitude could be, confined to a small region for the rest of one’s existence. Miller also highlights how inclined the gods are to petty acts, and that the majority of characters within myths are often driven by momentary emotion.
While this version of the mythology is captivating, the original tale of Circe is important to consider for contrasting purposes. Other notable characters within this novel, such as Hermes, have their own motivations that critically affect how the rest of the novel is interwoven.
As per tradition, below is a list of consideration questions reflecting on this novel:
How would the course of the events within this novel change, had the main mythological characters behaved more civilly, or rather, not acted on a whim when it comes to irreversible actions?
Does Circe fairly deserve the reader’s sympathy?
Would complete isolation be considered worse than death to an immortal being?
Cassandra by Christa Wolf
This novel is composed of several writings, with the main component being a retelling of the myth of Cassandra. In essence, this version of Cassandra deals heavily with themes of feminism and self-reflection, as well as how one can be complicit in upholding values that may not be aimed towards the wellbeing of many. This is in part due to the author, Christa Wolf, having an upbringing in East Germany post World War II. During her time in East Germany, she formed her political stances which she later depicted in her many novels and retellings. Through this novel, Christa Wolf pushed forward her ideas and sentiments surrounding issues that she had dealt with.
This novel adds additional characters to the original story of Cassandra, but a summary of the original myth can be found here. Furthermore, Cassandra is but a small part of a larger mythology, that being The Oresteia. The Oresteia is composed of three parts, but an overview of the work can give further context to the story of Cassandra.
For consideration, here are a few questions pertaining to Cassandra:
Why does Cassandra accept her fate after initially rejecting it?
How was Cassandra compliant with upholding the status quo, and how did this lead to her current state?
What message does Wolf intend to push with this narrative?
Why would this novel be seen as controversial with how it regards such a message?
House of Names by Colm Toibin
House of Names is an interpretation of the Greek myth: the Oresteia. This version of the mythology is told in a first person perspective regarding Clytemnestra, in an attempt to humanize her and the motivation behind her crimes. Events within this novel are described in excruciating detail, such as the sacrifice-- or murder-- of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon’s daughters. Toibin fleshes out people’s motivations, and interprets the myth in a rather modern sense, so that readers may sympathize with the characters. Through this book, Toibin dives into Clytemnestra’s humanity and analyzes moral issues such as revenge and justice.
Clytemnestra is a major character within this novel, her story being the first to be read in this novel. For this reason, it’s important to understand who Clytemnestra was in Greek mythology. Another necessary source to consider is the original mythology, the Oresteia. This source describes the original version of the myth and it’s major plot points.
Within this novel are some important motifs, one of which is the concept of death. Clytemnestra is consistently plagued by the rotting smell of death, which is emphasized at the beginning of the novel. The lingering heaviness of death and its finality are further interwoven into the story with a similar motif: lack of faith in the gods. The combination of these two motifs lead to the entire story’s plot, and how Clytemnestra takes it upon herself to carry out revenge with confidence.
Although, this begs the question: Did Clytemnestra carry out justice in a suitable way?
Clytemnestra herself states that death leads to more death, therefore, was killing Agamemnon the best choice?
