In the Odyssey, Homer uses architecture and landscape as metaphors for the personalities of the people to whom each respective architectural description refers. For this reason, when depictions of houses, land, and interior designs are mentioned, a strong emphasis is placed on explicit details. To explore this concept further, I will discuss how Homer describes the architecture of Circe's house and how this can be considered a reflection of traits associated with Circe. In the case of Circe, Homer uses the approach of taking the reader on two journeys at once. She begins by describing her surroundings, then creates images of her actual home, and finally takes the reader inside her home. This geographical journey mirrors the journey that takes us into Circe's personality as she uses the journey to show the reader her various traits. From this journey, the reader learns that Circe is lonely, unpredictable, inviting, and vulnerable, among other qualities. In this article I intend to explore the idea of ​​taking the reader on a tour of Circe's person using the tour of her living space that Homer already offers us in book X. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The first quality of Circe that the reader is exposed to is her loneliness and isolation. Homer quickly reveals that Circe resides on an island that has a “shore of barren waters” (X, 157-179). First, the idea that Circe lives on this island perpetuates the possibility that Circe suffers from as much loneliness as her home seems. be isolated from others. This is evidently confirmed when Circe wishes for Odysseus to stay with her and even proposes that she and Odysseus have sex, not for the pleasure she might get from it, but because it might lead to establishing trust. Circe's desire for Odysseus to stay and establish a sense of trust with him echoes the idea that she is alone and in need of companionship. Not just any form of company, but one with which you can develop a meaningful relationship. The need to have “faith and trust” (X. 161-335) with someone you have just met also suggests the idea that Circe may be paranoid about her relationships with people. This suggests that he has difficulty trusting others. Furthermore, Homer seems to specifically use the word barren to describe the beach because it reminds the reader that metaphorically and literally Circe may also be barren as she has no family or children of her own, which only further intensifies her loneliness and lack of love in his life. Circe's personality seems to be greatly affected by the lack of people in her life. Circe's isolation is essentially the foundation for the rest of her traits. Next, Homer explores the unpredictable and jagged nature of Circe's personality. It does this by offering more images of the island. When Homer writes that Odysseus “climbed upon a rocky point” (X. 156-148), the reader discovers that the island is rocky, implying that it may be difficult to navigate as rocks are usually rough and irregular. The rocky composition of her island reflects how she makes it difficult for people to understand her true intentions, which in turn makes her difficult to navigate. This is supported by his initial kindness towards Odysseus' men, followed, in contrast, by his decision to turn them into pigs with a potion. From this example, it is clear that Circe is indeed someone whose true intentions may never be known, making her personality easily classifiable as questionable. In this way, the land around Circe not only provides us with images, but helps develop Circeas a character as she becomes more dynamic with the display of different dispositions. Navigating rocky terrain also requires caution. Indeed, only you will be able to successfully navigate the landscape if you are well prepared. Since Circe proves to be a devious individual, this scenario reflects her personality. This is further emphasized when Hermes gives Odysseus the moly herb and a strategy before meeting Circe. This simply proves that Circe is too complex to risk approaching without being equipped. This also underlines his wit. Speaking of Circe's questionable temperament, Circe's deceptive behavior is elaborated in more detail as Homer continues to provide architectural descriptions. When describing the exterior design of his house, Homer emphasizes that his house is “put together from stones,” but he also mentions that the stones are “well polished” (X. 157-210). The reason why it is essential to take a closer look at this description is because when you think about stones, you think about how they are hard, cold and unattractive, but in the case of the stones that make up Circe's house, they happen to be cleaned and made more attractive to the eye. The juxtaposition between "well polished" and "stones" suggests that these stones are outwardly beautiful, but one must not forget that they still have the underlying qualities that make them simple and unattractive objects. Well-polished stones can be compared to Circe as she appears to be very inviting and friendly on the outside but cannot suppress her evil emotions on the inside. Just like the stones, it's easy to like Circe upon first interaction and even forget that she's a monster. The stone metaphor reminds us that no matter how affable she initially is, it is beyond her power to shed the inherent "hard, cold, and unattractive" traits she displays in Book X. Without a doubt, it is admirable to observe how Circe manages to creating an image of herself that initially paints her as lovable. From the moment we are introduced to Aiaia, the reader is told that the port where Odysseus and his men dock is “suitable for resting ships” (X. 156-141). Consequently, when the aforementioned depiction of the port is later given, it is implied that Circe is always ready to receive guests and actually looks forward to company. This connection can be drawn because for someone who lives far from other creatures, the idea that his harbor is perfectly suited to host a ship is strange. It's clear he remains optimistic about welcoming guests. Furthermore, Circe's home is said to be in an "open place" which conveys the message that Circe is a welcoming individual. Again, this is especially bizarre because she is located in the middle of a forest, so it's as if she's intentionally making the surroundings of her house seem open to create the impression that it is. The image of an open place triggers thoughts of airiness which is a desirable trait when referring to a place. This, in turn, creates the illusion that Circe must have attractive features. He does not fail to emulate him, as mentioned before, when he behaves in a very hospitable way towards Ulysses' men. Despite the scene where the reader is given a glimpse of Circe's potential to be a decent person, Homer takes the reader back by continuing. to expand on his characterization of Circe as an evil monster. The reader is told that Aiaia “lies below” (X. 157-211) and that Circe's house is located amid “undergrowth and forest” (X. 156-150). The hidden nature of her home and island highlights Circe's secretive ways. It raises the question: What does Circe have to hide? This question is answered when it is revealed that Circe in.