Madeline Miller’s Circe (2018): A Contemporary Version of Homer’s The Odyssey and the Role of the Witch in Modern Feminism

The witch as a figment of popular culture has seen an evolution over the past decades, as the role of old and evil fairy tale villain has been slowly overtaken by the young and empowering witch represented in films, tv-series, and novels aimed at teenage girls and young women. One such novel is Madeline Miller’s Circe, which is an adaptation of Homer’s classic poem The Odyssey, told from the perspective of the titular witch Circe. Miller’s novel quickly established itself as a bestseller and became a noteworthy illustration of the modern interpretation of witches and their role as a symbol in modern feminism, where they signify independence and empowerment. This thesis aims to examine Miller’s novel in light of The Odyssey, as well as the witch character’s role in modern feminism, the rising popularity of the witch as an inspirational figure for young women, and how Miller’s adapted novel embodies all these elements in her reworking of Homer’s classic