Both Circe and Telemachus know the value of their guilt: it motivated them to confront their flaws and act against the world’s cruelty. Without self-reflection on their past crimes, neither of them would have changed or known why it was important to be confront the vices that they inherited from their families. Circe is at first hesitant to tell Telemachus about her past, likely because she worries that he will be disgusted by her—particularly since ancient Greek society expects women to be weak and uncomplicated. But Telemachus wants to know her past, demonstrating how he respects her as an equal. After all, he has terrible crimes in his past too, and he doesn’t expect her to be different. Overcoming her fears, including her anxieties around his mortality, Circe lets herself fall in love with Telemachus and be fully honest with him, showing how respect and equality allow women to find fulfillment.