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Mythological Figures: Circe (5E)
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<blockquote data-quote="Kobold Stew" data-source="post: 7756841" data-attributes="member: 23484"><p>The points you raise are all part of why trying to replicate what is in the literature is such a problem. Even taking up the term "demigod" (Gk. hemitheos) means you are using a term that isn't Homeric.</p><p></p><p>There's some slippage in how we've been using the term "god" so let's be more precise. </p><p></p><p>A being can be immortal. On the most basic level, that distinguishes "gods" from mortals. It's probably the only consistent quality of those Homer labels theoi. (Though of course many heroes can be "godlike'). In this context, I don't know what "nigh-mortal" means. </p><p></p><p>A being can receive cult worship. This is what you're talking about when asking what Circe would be the god of... It's only relevant if she is reeiving worship within a public context. Though we don't phrase it that way, that's the way most people thing of "the gods" in a polytheistic system, and why (for example) immortal nymphs would not be gods but Hermes would be. (Though even then, there are various cults to the nymphs...). This is the category you are calling "full-on divinity", and I am suggesting that the qualification is not operating as you believe. </p><p></p><p>There is overlap between those two sets, and Circe is immortal, but does not receive cult worship (to my knowledge). </p><p></p><p>None of this affects the description of Circe, however. She casts spells (you can disagree about how important the potion is; ultimately that doesn't matter). She exists in a magical world where the wild has been tamed. And she has nothing to do with being an aquatic or Oceanic being, the way Thetis or the Nereids are (Thetis emerges out of the waves in Il. 1 and 18, for example).</p><p></p><p>Hope this helps.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Kobold Stew, post: 7756841, member: 23484"] The points you raise are all part of why trying to replicate what is in the literature is such a problem. Even taking up the term "demigod" (Gk. hemitheos) means you are using a term that isn't Homeric. There's some slippage in how we've been using the term "god" so let's be more precise. A being can be immortal. On the most basic level, that distinguishes "gods" from mortals. It's probably the only consistent quality of those Homer labels theoi. (Though of course many heroes can be "godlike'). In this context, I don't know what "nigh-mortal" means. A being can receive cult worship. This is what you're talking about when asking what Circe would be the god of... It's only relevant if she is reeiving worship within a public context. Though we don't phrase it that way, that's the way most people thing of "the gods" in a polytheistic system, and why (for example) immortal nymphs would not be gods but Hermes would be. (Though even then, there are various cults to the nymphs...). This is the category you are calling "full-on divinity", and I am suggesting that the qualification is not operating as you believe. There is overlap between those two sets, and Circe is immortal, but does not receive cult worship (to my knowledge). None of this affects the description of Circe, however. She casts spells (you can disagree about how important the potion is; ultimately that doesn't matter). She exists in a magical world where the wild has been tamed. And she has nothing to do with being an aquatic or Oceanic being, the way Thetis or the Nereids are (Thetis emerges out of the waves in Il. 1 and 18, for example). Hope this helps. [/QUOTE]
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