In the epic The Odyssey, Homer incorporates the use of rhetorical strategies and literary devices to develop Calypso. Through the use of imagery and symbolism, Calypso and her island seem beautiful and perfect at first, but the symbolism from the imagery revealed that Calypso had a “hidden” intention and the symbols foreshadowed her true selfish nature. Although Calypso is caring for Odysseus she is self-centered and not letting him return to Ithaca so she can keep him for her own. Also, Homer uses rhetorical strategies during a persuasive argument between Hermes and Calypso. Calypso utilizes ethos, pathos, and logos to convince Hermes that Odysseus should stay on the island with her which reiterates her selfish character. Through language
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Ethos, pathos, and logos are the three rhetorical strategies derived from ancient Greece that is needed in order to be an effective means of persuasion. The the epic, Calypso has kept Odysseus on her island and prevented him from returning home. Zeus then sends Hermes the Wayfinder to command Calypso to release him and upon Hermes delivering the message to Calypso, she complains and argues that Odysseus should stay. Calypso starts her argument using pathos; all the male gods “choose to lie with”(126) whoever they desire without a consequence but the female immortals can never do the same. She wants Hermes to pity her. When Demeter mingled with a mortal Zeus “killed him with a white hot thunderbolt”(132) so it’s not fair. In addition, the dialogue concludes with logos, she states that she has “no long-oared ships” and “no company to pull him” in the sea, how is Odysseus supposed to leave? However, she could easily provide him with a boat, revealing a great deal about her selfish ways. Calypso further upholds her argument using ethos when she tells Hermes she was the one “who save[d] him”(134), she takes credit for saving the life of Odysseus and therefore Zeus should not have a say in whether Odysseus should stay on the island or not. In addition, Calypso establishes pathos, she has been living on the island without the companion of man for a long time and when she found Odysseus she “fed him, loved him”(142) and now they are taking her “friend” away. The next time she has a male companion could be many centuries later. Furthermore, this emphasizes her selfish character as she continually seduces Odysseus and holds him captive even though she knows that he has a destiny to
Ethos, pathos, and logos are the three rhetorical strategies derived from ancient Greece that is needed in order to be an effective means of persuasion. The the epic, Calypso has kept Odysseus on her island and prevented him from returning home. Zeus then sends Hermes the Wayfinder to command Calypso to release him and upon Hermes delivering the message to Calypso, she complains and argues that Odysseus should stay. Calypso starts her argument using pathos; all the male gods “choose to lie with”(126) whoever they desire without a consequence but the female immortals can never do the same. She wants Hermes to pity her. When Demeter mingled with a mortal Zeus “killed him with a white hot thunderbolt”(132) so it’s not fair. In addition, the dialogue concludes with logos, she states that she has “no long-oared ships” and “no company to pull him” in the sea, how is Odysseus supposed to leave? However, she could easily provide him with a boat, revealing a great deal about her selfish ways. Calypso further upholds her argument using ethos when she tells Hermes she was the one “who save[d] him”(134), she takes credit for saving the life of Odysseus and therefore Zeus should not have a say in whether Odysseus should stay on the island or not. In addition, Calypso establishes pathos, she has been living on the island without the companion of man for a long time and when she found Odysseus she “fed him, loved him”(142) and now they are taking her “friend” away. The next time she has a male companion could be many centuries later. Furthermore, this emphasizes her selfish character as she continually seduces Odysseus and holds him captive even though she knows that he has a destiny to