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Ariadne
Polydamas is the captain of the ship that Daedalus and Circe sail on to get to Crete. When Circe asks him for his cloak (she plans to use it as part of her disguise when facing the monster Scylla), she sees that Polydamas wants to say no, although he does finally agree to. She can see that he is “jealous of his little power,” and Circe is “only a woman” to him. This exchange demonstrates how those who have only a little power hold onto it tightly. They are aware of their vulnerable position and will do their best to keep other people beneath them. Polydamas is a man, and he sees all women as inferior to him, exemplifying the misogyny of ancient Greece.
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Polydamas Character Timeline in Circe
The timeline below shows where the character Polydamas appears in Circe. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9
...day, the men are terrified. Circe gathers her courage to stay strong. She demands that Polydamas, the guard captain, give her his shirt and cloak. She sees him wanting to refuse,...
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Chapter 10
As soon as they land, Polydamas orders Daedalus and Circe to the palace. He leads them to Pasiphaë’s rooms and knocks...
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