Calypso In The Odyssey

When you think of Greek Gods or Goddesses, typically you think of Ares, Zeus, or even Athena (Regula, DeTraci). It is the lesser known Gods or Goddesses that do not seem to be brought up as much. For instance, Calypso. Calypso was the sea nymph that seduced the men that passed by. She was a master of concealing troubles. Undoubtedly, Calypso had many importances with Greek Mythology. It was her power of concealing that contributed to the capturing Odysseus for several years.

As mentioned before, Calypso is a master of covering things up. The name Calypso is extremely suitable, for the meaning in Greek is ‘to conceal” (Calypso and Odysseus). Calypso resided in Ogygia, where she would lull in the people that passed (McKellen, Sabine).

When The Battle of Troy ended in victory for Odysseus, he began his journey home (DelGuercio, Anthony M.). Of course this was easier said than done. He would have to pass through many islands. Some of the islands were Cicones, Lotus Eaters, Cyclops, and Aeolus. He would even have to make it through the Underworld before he got to Calypso’s home, Ogygia (DelGuercio, Anthony M.). After nine days of him slowly drifting through currents of water, he finally came to shore ("Calypso." Nook of Names.). Calypso quickly became enamored with Odysseus. Not only did she want Odysseus to stay with her, she wanted him to become eternally young with her as well. Odysseus had other plans though. He rejected Calypso’s offers for immortality time after time. Going home would be better than Calypso’s offerings (Calypso and Odysseus). Eventually, Odysseus gave in to the temptation. Together, Calypso and Odysseus live together on the Island of Ogygia for seven years. They even had two kids of their own. The names were Nausithous and Nausinous (Calypso and Odysseus). By this point, it almost seemed like Odysseus prefered to be with Calypso, and didn’t feel like he was truly “captured” (Calypso and

She requested Zeus to have Odysseus freed from Calypso. Zeus then sent Hermes to talk Calypso into letting Odysseus free. Calypso, of course could not disobey the Gods request (Calypso and Odysseus). She began to help Odysseus build his boat. She even supplied him with enough food and beverages for his trip back to Ithaca (Calypso and Odysseus). Once Calypso let Odysseus go, she began to try to kill herself. Sadly, she just continued to suffer because she was immortal (Calypso and Odysseus).

Works Cited

"Calypso and Odysseus." N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.

McKellen, Sabine. "What Was Calypso's Power in Greek Mythology? | The Classroom | Synonym." The Classroom. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.

"CALYPSO : Atlantid Nymph of the Mythical Island of Ogygia | Greek Mythology, Kalypso." CALYPSO : Atlantid Nymph of the Mythical Island of Ogygia | Greek Mythology, Kalypso. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

Allen, Peter J. "Calypso: Greek Goddess of Silence (Greek Mythology)."Godchecker: Your Guide to the Gods. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

"Calypso." Nook of Names. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

Regula, DeTraci. "The Twelve Olympian Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology." N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

DelGuercio, Anthony M. "The Journey of Odysseus." The Journey of Odysseus. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept.