In Greek mythology, Circe is often cast as a villainess, an enchantress who turns men into pigs, a manipulative sorceress banished to an island. But through a modern lens, and especially with the resurgence of interest, we’re beginning to ask different questions: What if Circe wasn’t a monster, but a misunderstood woman punished for her power? And what does her story reveal about the way society treats women today?

The Myth of Circe: A Woman in Power

Circe is the daughter of the sun god Helios and a sea nymph, a powerful figure in her own right. Her knowledge of potions and herbs sets her apart from other women in myth, not as a passive object of desire or a victim, but as a force to be reckoned with. When Odysseus and his men land on her island, she famously transforms the sailors into pigs. A metaphor that’s not exactly subtle.

The traditional readings often paint her as a cautionary tale; a dangerous woman who needs to be controlled or tamed by a man. But viewed differently, Circe is a woman asserting her autonomy in a world that fears it. Her power unsettles men, so she is cast as a threat.

Modern-Day Circes: Women Still Demonized for Power

This ancient narrative still echoes loudly today. Women who assert themselves—whether in politics, business, or their personal lives, are often dismissed as “difficult,” “bossy,” “emotional,” or worse. Female politicians are scrutinized for being “too ambitious,” a phrase rarely, if ever, applied to men. Women in leadership roles often have to soften their tone or smile more, simply to be heard without being deemed “intimidating.”

Circe’s transformation of men into pigs can be seen as symbolic of this ongoing struggle: women refusing to be overpowered, choosing instead to expose the worst in those who would dominate them. And yet, much like Circe, they are then accused of being the real problem.

Sexism as a Cycle

In mythology, Circe is exiled to an island—isolated for her “crimes” of independence and defiance. This too remains relevant. Women who speak out against harassment or inequality often face social and professional exile. They’re called liars, troublemakers, or attention-seekers. Just like Circe, they are punished not for doing wrong, but for upsetting the status quo.

Reclaiming the Narrative

We can re-imagine the myth through a feminist lens, showing us a woman who finds strength in solitude, who grows from pain, and who ultimately defines her own identity outside of the men who try to shape her. It’s a powerful act of reclamation. And one that reflects a broader cultural shift. We’re beginning to recognize that stories like Circe’s aren’t just ancient tales. They’re mirrors reflecting the battles women still face today.

The Magic of Telling New Stories

Revisiting myths like Circe’s is more than a literary exercise. It’s a chance to challenge the foundations of sexism. Both in the stories we’ve been told and the ones we continue to live. By giving voice to characters who were once silenced, we begin to break the spells of misogyny that have kept women confined for centuries.

Circe’s story, in all its complexity, reminds us of a truth that patriarchal structures have long sought to suppress: that a woman with power is not a threat, unless you’re afraid of what she might change.