Many people value love, as it makes them feel wanted and cared for, something that all humans crave at some point. However, with love comes other less than admirable traits like selfishness or hatred. One of the minor goddesses in The Odyssey, Calypso, embodies love in every sense of the word. She expresses her love for Odysseus by caring for him and offering him immortality. However, her strong devotion to him leads to a furious outburst and an unwillingness to release her lover. Calypso is depicted as a gentle goddess when she is first introduced, but once Zeus orders that Odysseus be freed, her selfishness is exposed. Calypso expresses a love for Odysseus that rivals Penelope’s. She pulls him ashore after his ship sinks and cares for him
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She stated to him, “So now you grudge me, too, my mortal friend. But it was I who saved him - saw him straddle his own keel board, the one man left afloat” (135-36). She continued to try and persuade Hermes that Odysseus should remain with her by boasting that she nursed him back to health and provided him with a home for the past seven years. Unfortunately, Calypso’s complaints are in vain as Hermes will not defy Zeus for fear of punishment. She is forced to relent, but she does so reluctantly. She declared, “But now there’s no eluding Zeus’s will. If this be ordained by him, I say so be it, let the man strike out alone on the vast water” (144-47). To this Hermes replies, “Thus you shall send him, then. And show more grace in your obedience, or be chastised by Zeus” (153-54). After Hermes departs, Calypso, with a heavy heart, goes to find Odysseus to prepare him for his journey. Although Calypso is distraught at the prospect of her lover leaving, she gives Odysseus materials to build a raft. She instructed him, “Come and cut down high timber for a raft or flatboat; make her broad-beamed, and decked over, so you can ride her on the misty sea” (172-73). She also provides him with bread, water, and wine, as well as clothing and “a following wind” to set him on his way. Odysseus is amazed that after seven years he is free to leave and is suspicious of Calypso’s intentions. …show more content…
Calypso smiles at him, amused with his cautiousness, and tells him that she has no intention of harming him and swears to this on the Styx. She says that “fairness is all I think” and that “there are hearts made of iron - but my heart is kind.” After having one final meal with Odysseus, Calypso decides to make one last attempt at keeping him with her by offering him immortality. She tells him, “If you could see it all, before you go - all the adversity you face at sea - you would stay here, and guard this house, and be immortal” (215-218).
Even though it is not strongly expressed, Calypso is desperate to keep Odysseus with her. Her unrequited love for him will not allow for a painless farewell, and for a moment the audience gets to see Calypso in a rare light. The eternal sorrow she is forced to endure is brought to the surface and the goddess is seen as vulnerable and unsure of herself. This is touched on when she asks Odysseus if she was less desirable than Penelope and if mortals could “compare with goddesses in grace and form.” Odysseus seemingly puts these fears to rest when he tells her to not be angry. He further says that Penelope “would seem a shade” in comparison to her, and that Penelope would eventually face old age and death. Calypso, on the other hand, would be forever young and beautiful. With this said, Calypso resigns herself to the fact that Odysseus will return to Ithaca and their paths will not likely cross
She stated to him, “So now you grudge me, too, my mortal friend. But it was I who saved him - saw him straddle his own keel board, the one man left afloat” (135-36). She continued to try and persuade Hermes that Odysseus should remain with her by boasting that she nursed him back to health and provided him with a home for the past seven years. Unfortunately, Calypso’s complaints are in vain as Hermes will not defy Zeus for fear of punishment. She is forced to relent, but she does so reluctantly. She declared, “But now there’s no eluding Zeus’s will. If this be ordained by him, I say so be it, let the man strike out alone on the vast water” (144-47). To this Hermes replies, “Thus you shall send him, then. And show more grace in your obedience, or be chastised by Zeus” (153-54). After Hermes departs, Calypso, with a heavy heart, goes to find Odysseus to prepare him for his journey. Although Calypso is distraught at the prospect of her lover leaving, she gives Odysseus materials to build a raft. She instructed him, “Come and cut down high timber for a raft or flatboat; make her broad-beamed, and decked over, so you can ride her on the misty sea” (172-73). She also provides him with bread, water, and wine, as well as clothing and “a following wind” to set him on his way. Odysseus is amazed that after seven years he is free to leave and is suspicious of Calypso’s intentions. …show more content…
Calypso smiles at him, amused with his cautiousness, and tells him that she has no intention of harming him and swears to this on the Styx. She says that “fairness is all I think” and that “there are hearts made of iron - but my heart is kind.” After having one final meal with Odysseus, Calypso decides to make one last attempt at keeping him with her by offering him immortality. She tells him, “If you could see it all, before you go - all the adversity you face at sea - you would stay here, and guard this house, and be immortal” (215-218).
Even though it is not strongly expressed, Calypso is desperate to keep Odysseus with her. Her unrequited love for him will not allow for a painless farewell, and for a moment the audience gets to see Calypso in a rare light. The eternal sorrow she is forced to endure is brought to the surface and the goddess is seen as vulnerable and unsure of herself. This is touched on when she asks Odysseus if she was less desirable than Penelope and if mortals could “compare with goddesses in grace and form.” Odysseus seemingly puts these fears to rest when he tells her to not be angry. He further says that Penelope “would seem a shade” in comparison to her, and that Penelope would eventually face old age and death. Calypso, on the other hand, would be forever young and beautiful. With this said, Calypso resigns herself to the fact that Odysseus will return to Ithaca and their paths will not likely cross