Calypso

Definition

Calypso is a nymph from Greek mythology, known for her role in Homer's 'Odyssey,' where she detains Odysseus on her island, Ogygia, for several years. This character symbolizes both temptation and the complexity of desire, highlighting the tension between personal longing and the divine will, as well as the struggles associated with the journey home.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Calypso falls in love with Odysseus and offers him immortality if he stays with her, showcasing her powerful influence over him.
2. Her island, Ogygia, represents both paradise and a prison, illustrating the duality of desire and freedom in Odysseus's journey.
3. Despite Calypso's deep affection for Odysseus, her role ultimately highlights the inevitability of fate, as he is destined to return home to Ithaca.
4. Calypso's character raises questions about agency and choice, especially considering that she is bound by the commands of Zeus regarding Odysseus's fate.
5. In the narrative, Hermes is sent by Zeus to order Calypso to let Odysseus leave, emphasizing the power dynamics between gods and mortals.

Review Questions

• How does Calypso's relationship with Odysseus reflect the themes of desire and freedom in the 'Odyssey'?
  • Calypso's relationship with Odysseus highlights the tension between desire and freedom throughout the 'Odyssey.' While she offers him love and immortality on her beautiful island, this also comes at the cost of his longing for home. The complexity lies in how she represents both an alluring escape from his struggles and a form of captivity, ultimately forcing him to confront his true desires and responsibilities.
• Discuss how Calypso's character serves as a commentary on divine intervention and mortal agency within the narrative.
  • Calypso exemplifies the theme of divine intervention through her interactions with Odysseus. Though she genuinely loves him, her control over his fate is challenged when Zeus orders her to release him. This situation highlights the limitations of mortal agency when faced with divine will, suggesting that even personal desires must yield to greater cosmic forces at play. Her character demonstrates that love can both empower and imprison individuals in their quests.
• Evaluate the significance of Calypso's actions in relation to Odysseus's journey home and the overarching themes of nostos in the epic.
  • Calypso's actions significantly impact Odysseus's journey home, as her initial detainment delays his nostos. While she embodies temptation and comfort, her ultimate release of Odysseus reinforces the idea that true homecoming cannot be achieved through avoidance or distraction. Instead, it requires facing one's responsibilities and desires head-on. By emphasizing this struggle between immediate gratification and long-term fulfillment, Calypso enriches the epic’s exploration of nostos as a deeply complex and multifaceted theme.

Related terms

Odyssey: An epic poem attributed to Homer, detailing the adventures of Odysseus as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War.

Nostos: A Greek term meaning 'homecoming,' often associated with themes of longing and the journey back to one's origins.

Zeus: The king of the gods in Greek mythology, who plays a crucial role in determining the fate of mortals and intervenes in their lives throughout the 'Odyssey.'