Amal Mukalel A significant scene in the Odyssey is when Circe turns Odyssues’s men into pigs. The men were tricked by Circe’s hospitality when she invited them into her home and provided food and shelter. The men foolishly went inside her home and accepted her wine which turned them into pigs. In the oil canvas painting by John William Waterhouse, Circe offers Ulysses a cup of wine to begin the feast. The painting shows Circe sitting on a chair with a dead pig near her feet. This gives the viewer the impression that Circe has more power than the men and that they are literally beneath her. Circe finds it unjust that male gods can take mortal lovers whike goddess don’t have same right. Moreover, the colors appear the brightest on Circe while the rest of the picture fades away with darker colors. Circe is definitely the focal point of the picture where her power and presence is made known in the painting. Although Circe is luminous, everything around her is dark which is a clear sign of her malicious intentions. The painting gives readers images that reflect the dialogue of the story. Anorher painting that gives a similar message is by Briton Riviere, where Circe causally looks over the group of pigs that have been transformed by her wine. Briton made this portrait in 1871 to resemble the effects of the temptation without any precaution. In this picture, Circe is unfazed by her actions while all the pigs are crying out to get her attention. They are desperately trying to reach out to her but she isn’t making any effort or acknowledging their presence. Her bright yellow wand is also behind her in the picture. The wand is an extension of her powers as a goddess. The colors in the painting appear to be dull throughout the photo from the pigs to the clothing woren by Circe. This dullness resembles her mood toward the men and their hopeless situation. In conclusion, both pictures accurateley captures Circe’s power and gives the viewers a better sense of her true intentions.
http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/view.cfm?recordid=62
http://arts.mythologica.fr/artist-r/riviere.htm
I agree that in both pieces Circe is depicted as having few emotions towards turning the men into pigs. Her lack of empathy certainly strengthens her character and breaks from the norms of women being kind and gentle. Further, in Briton’s painting the pigs are trying to reach Circe which evokes the sense of their panic and need for attention from her while she seems to look over them.
Finally, in Waterhouse’s painting you can see Odysseus (presumably) in the reflection of the mirror. From his stature we can infer that there is some hesitation about drinking the wine circe is holding out for him – this may be characterization since the gods have not exactly been kind to him.
Hi Amal,
Good work here. “Luminous” is a wonderful descriptor for the figure in the Waterhouse painting. As you note, the figure in the Riviere painting appears indifferent, while the pigs urgently recruit her attention (though it’s interesting–it’s hard to tell, because she is turned away, exactly what her emotions are, here. To me she looks bizarrely peaceful, relaxed, almost dreamy.)
Best,
Prof Kolb