Comparing Odysseus And Calypso In Homer's The Odyssey

Within the pages of the Greek epic poem known as The Odyssey, the main character of the plot, Odysseus, lives after the Trojan War. After his time in the war, he deals with various trials and tribulations, moving across the vast world. Throughout his travels, he longs to return home, ultimately to be reunited with his wife and son (it is also important to note that Odysseus spends 10 years away from his homeland.) Homer, the author of this epic poem, as well as the preceding book named The Iliad, writes about the many different individuals that are within its pages.

Whether it is Odysseus, Telemachus, Penelope, Polyphemus, Posiedon, Arete, Nausicaa, Scylla, Laertes, or Calypso, or any other character, each distinct individual in The Odyssey

plays a significant role in the plot of this text. Focusing on Penelope and Calypso, they both encompass diverse, unique roles in relations to Odysseus. Both females play a huge part over the course of his life, but ultimately only one is the most important in his opinion.
Penelope, like stated before, is the wife of Odysseus. During his extended amount of time away from home, she weeps, aches, and stays faithful in regards to her husband, despite the various suitors trying to steal her attention away and take her hand in marriage. Her sobbing creates frustration for her son, Telemachus, as he states in certain sections of the book. “Courage mother. Harden your heart, and listen. Odysseus was scarcely the only one, you know, whose journey home was blotted out at Troy.” Telemachus then continues on to tell her to return to her room as he basically states that he is the man of this house and she must obey his commands. She does what she is told, yet still illustrates the power of grief.
Not only does Penelope weep over the thought of Odysseus being absent from her home, Telemachus does have issues with filling his father’s shoes. One may contemplate if he has the capabilities to be that mature person to take on that role, and coupled with him constantly consoling his mother, it would be seen naturally as a hard and difficult concept to encompass. Throughout the first portion of the epic poem, his sad mother loses her composure time and time again while also displaying physical grief. She wishes her husband would return back to home, and cannot physically conquer life without him.
Calypso, on the other hand, is the female nymph that traps Odysseus on her island, Ogygia, for several years after the Trojan War and various battles. Calypso is very hospitable and kind towards Odysseus. She ultimately longs to have him as her own. In her hospitable ways, she often provides him “warmth,” as they often sleep together. Calpyso pines for him in that way because of love, while Odysseus sleeps with her to be a hospitable guest. He withstands living with Calypso for quite some time, but soon cannot live without Penelope. Athena, an ancient Greek Goddess, informs Zeus, an ancient Greek God, to grant Odysseus passage away from the island and back to Penelope and the rest of his family. Zeus tells this very important information to Hermes, another ancient Greek God, who then speaks to Calypso about the subject. Calypso immediately lashes out in anger at the Gods and begs to have him stay with her for a longer period of time. Naturally, she wants Odysseus to reside with her forever on her island. After angry words said towards the Gods and Goddesses, Calypso does relent eventually, and lets Odysseus return home. Continuing her hospitable ways, she even gives him items to help his voyage be a little easier. Calypso will always hold a fond adoration with Odysseus.
In a sense, the three individuals, Odysseus, Penelope, and Calypso, are portraying a love triangle. In today’s society, Calypso can be seen as somewhat of a “mistress”, but that is of the opinion of today. The morals of sex and marriage were much different back then when this epic poem was written. If one used the same values as today, they would conclude that not only Calypso is the “mistress” of this said love triangle, but also Penelope can be seen as a constantly whining, pitiful spouse who needs to get a move on with her life and just marry one of her pining suitors.
What is there to say that Odysseus and Calypso had an affair though?

These values imposed on their relationship do not belong. Likewise, these current ideas, morals, and values do not fit into society back then. Odysseus was sleeping with Calypso to make her happy, to in turn possibly get home at a faster, more efficient rate. Additionally, this was his obligation as a guest living on her island. He yearned to make the host happy so his life would not be miserable. If he had spent his time on the island not treating his host well, he most likely would have been a lot more miserable and homesick because Calypso would have not treated him nicely or kindly. Additionally, it was very important to be a proficient host, while also being a gracious, thankful guest. He showed his graciousness in ways not many people would think of. When he cried, missing and longing for his wife and child, he did it away from the eyes of Calypso. This action showed that he did not want to upset her, as she was a very lonely individual.

This was a double standard of their relationship, though. Calypso did offer to help Odysseus off the island, but before she did that, she tempted him to stay with her. She promised him immortality, and always having good looks to please him. Penelope, of course, cannot offer those specific positive qualities, as she is only a human, not a nymph. But, not only did Odysseus have obligations to be a kind guest, he did indeed have obligations back home, with

his spouse and offspring.
Odysseus’ loyalty ultimately was with Penelope. He wept for her so often; he, at times, was so overcome with grief and blinding tears that he could not see past his grief and pain, longing for his home. Despite Calypso’s efforts to make him stay with her forever, he says no and decides to return home. That shows the strength and love that he had for his wife, even after the many years apart.
This strength was also shown in Penelope’s efforts. She never did have sex with a suitor; she certainly could have as she had many opportunities. Over the time that Odysseus was absent, Penelope devised many ways and actions so she would not have marry or wed a suitor. She knew where her heart was, and her heart was Odysseus. Luckily, even after Calypso’s efforts, Odysseus still felt the same. He never stopped loving her over the course of his absence from Ithaca.
Later on in the text, when Odysseus returns home, Penelope senses that he is in disguise as a beggar.

She proposes to all her suitors a sneaky, cunning plan to have them shoot a bow and arrow trick. She knew only Odysseus would succeed through, as this challenge was extremely difficult and complicated. The beggar did indeed wins this contest. Of course, this person was Odysseus. He then unleashes his anger and kills some of the suitors for trying to steal Penelope away from him. All the suitors were never proficient guests in his household, and did not deserve grand hospitality, which they were receiving. After their reunion, Penelope and Odysseus return to bed together and after this, and they live a prosperous life together with

Telemachus.
In many ways, both Penelope and Calypso share the same qualities, like loyalty, and not constantly being selfish. Neither female gives up on Odysseus, an example being that Penelope never betrays her husband while he is far away from her. Additionally, Calypso even assists Odysseus in leaving her island, instead of trying to sabotage him and make him stay with her forever. She certainly could have taken that plan of action but she thought well. Penelope nor Calypso are neither selfish in their pursuits to keep him. Penelope really has no choice but to keep hoping for him to return. Calypso does not want him to leave at first, but she does resolve and loses her selfish mentality. They are both loyal to him as well. Penelope never remarries and Calypso never gets sick or tired of Odysseus while he is on her island. They both take care of him, while at home and on the island. He is very lucky to have both females pining for him, as he could have been killed by Calypso or not have even been cared about at home from Penelope. They both could have disregarded him.
Overall, to Odysseus, Penelope is his most important female in his life. She bore his child and even waited for him for many years while he was away. It is important to note that even though he had Calypso in his mind, and could have stayed with her for the rest of his life, he did return home. It would have been easier for him to not go home. He could simply have stayed with Calypso and would always have constant hospitality with her.
Even though each woman played different, separate roles, they both were important in his life. Each female brought diverse, distinct personalities to the table, but also showed caring and hospitable qualities that make them alike.