Summary: Circe is a nymph, the daughter of Perse and Helios. She recounts how her mother craftily convinced Helios to marry her and make her the only woman in his halls. She has children with Helios, who gives her a rare bead for each, but then the gods forbid her from having any more children with Helios. Perse is immensely displeased with Circe from birth after learning that she will likely marry a mortal. An aunt cares for her at first but eventually leaves, and she is left rather lonely. Perse gives birth to two more children, Pasiphaë and Perses who are her mother's favorites and bully her. She spends more and more time by her father’s side and one time he lets her visit his sacred heard of cows. She also becomes increasingly interested in mortals, feeling sympathetic towards astronomer who were put to death.

Solitude: Circe is the misfit of her family. She is largely ignored by her mother and abused by her siblings, so she keeps to herself.

Gender Roles: For women in the story, the main goal in life seems to be to find a good husband, as is seen in Perse's digust with Circe upon discovering she will wed a mortal.

Summary: Circe’s uncle, Prometheus, is to be punished by Zeus for going against his will and giving mankind the gift of fire. His punishment stirs an old rivalry between the Titans and Olympians, and the Titans consider going to war again, but Helios convinces them not to. Prometheus is whipped for hours, and when it is finally over, he is approached by Circe. She cares for him and asks him about mortals. Their conversation greatly increases Circe’s interest in mortals.

Divinity and Mortality: This chapter focuses a lot on the relationship between gods and mortals. Prometheus is punished severely for helping mortals, and it is referenced how a King's gift to Helios had no impact on his fortune. In this regard the gods clearly see themselves as far superior to mortals, but curiously enough they are fascinated with what mortals experience and they do not, namely pain.

Summary: Circe learns the following day that Prometheus is chained to a rock, where he is mauled everyday by an eagle, quickly forgotten by everyone. Circe is sympathetic toward Prometheus, but there is nothing she can do. Perse gives birth to a son, Aeëtes, and Circe takes him under her care. The two establish a strong relationship. Pasiphaë is to wed Minos of Crete to the disgust of her mother, who hates mortals. On their wedding day Circe is taken to meet the Olympians for the first time. She looks forward to seeing mortals for the first time, but is not impressed when the time finally comes. Her brother takes her to see the Olympians but Circe is instead drawn to Daedalus, a brilliant mortal inventor. Then Aeëtes suddenly reveals to Circe that he is leaving for a kingdom of his own to Circe's shock and disappointment. Perses leaves shortly thereafter. Circe is left in despair, lonely as ever.

Insignificance of mortals: This chapter is the first time we see gods and mortals interact, as well as hear about it. In the beginning it is mentioned how Boreas killed a boy both he and Apollo loved to prevent Apollo from having him. Circe also mentions how the mortals keep to themselves at the wedding to avoid offending any gods as they know the consequences.

Betrayal: Aeëtes leaves Circe without a second thought, breaking her heart.