Calypso Calypso noun from the Greek word kalypto

Calypso

• Calypso; noun, from the Greek word kalypto meaning ‘to hide’ or ‘to conceal. ’ Roughly translated, Calypso’s name means ‘concealing the knowledge’.

• Calypso is a sea nymph who is the daughter of the Titan god Atlas. Calypso has both positive and negative attributes in Greek mythology. Her most well known symbol is a dolphin. She is known for being a concealer and a seductress that can divert people; especially men from their goals. However, she has a positive symbol; which is being a rescuer, more specifically rescuing Odysseus. Calypso lives on the island Ogyia; which is also known as Calypso’s island because it is where she was held prisoner after supporting the Titans in the war with the Olympians.

• So, let’s go back to the very beginning when Calypso first met Odysseus was just fresh from battle when they first met after the Trojan War. He washed upon the shores of Ogyia after drifting through the ocean for 9 days when his ship was overturned. He was the only survivor. She took pity on him and took him in and cared for him on her island.

• During that time, Calypso fell deeply in love with Odysseus. She then persuaded and seduced him to become her immortal lover with the same eternal youth. Eventually, Odysseus succumbed to her persuasion and Calypso held him captive there for a long 7 years. It is said that during that time that Calypso also bore Odysseus a son; Latinus who would become half mortal, half immortal.

• Calypso’s role in ‘The Odyssey’ all involves Odysseus. She was using all her power to make Odysseus stay with her, even against his strong will to leave. She was using concealment, seduction and persuasion to try and win him over. Although Calypso might be seen as a hero for rescuing Odysseus; she was also a problem.

• Calypso was definitely doing a very good job of distracting Odysseus from reaching his goal to return home. According to ‘The Odyssey’ and what other sources also say about Calypso, I believe she is the main reason why it took Odysseus so long to return home. Only her fear of the power of Zeus made her release Odysseus, and she could not refuse him because he was the King of the Gods.

• So her relationship with Odysseus was definitely unfair and one-sided. Although there may have been some true two-sided feelings at one point, Calypso had control of the relationship. Their relationship in ‘The Odyssey’ is somewhat different to how it is described from other sources. In ‘The Odyssey’ Calypso seems to let Odysseus go quite willingly after Hermes’ visit. She even gives him food and supplies and tells him the way home. She seems more gracious towards Odysseus as he tells her how he really feels; and in his heart his must return to Penelope.

• It is believed that Calypso went through great suffering after Odysseus left her; so much so that she even tried to take her own life. Could Calypso, a sea nymph really feel that strongly for a mortal man? Was she really, a good person? What do you think? Was Calypso really the myth of diversion or the eternal temptation of passion?