Calypso The Odyssey Sarah Ratcliffe Far away on

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Calypso The Odyssey Sarah Ratcliffe

Calypso The Odyssey Sarah Ratcliffe

Far away on an Island called Ogygia, lived a sea nymph called Calypso who

Far away on an Island called Ogygia, lived a sea nymph called Calypso who was adored for her magnificently devastating beauty and charm. She was unmarried and deemed to be a very independent feminist and seductress. Calypsos’ name originates from the words “concealer” and “deceive” these words can be associated with her vain and controlling personality along with what she was most famous for in Greek mythology - trapping Odysseus on her island, hindering him from his long journey back to his wife and family in Ithaca.

When Zeus had cast a cruel storm upon Odysseus and his men who were

When Zeus had cast a cruel storm upon Odysseus and his men who were sailing back for Ithaca, it had left Odysseus shipwrecked and all of his men dead. After nine days of drifting across the seas, the gods cast him onto Calypso’s front door step. She had saved him, nursing him back to health and taking care of him. Using her beauty and hospitality, she convinced Odysseus to stay. Soon after however, Calypso trapped him on her island for a torturous seven years even when Odysseus resisted.

There are many reasons as to why Calypso had forced Odysseus to stay with

There are many reasons as to why Calypso had forced Odysseus to stay with her on Ogygia. It is said that Calypso loved the “unfortunate hero” and wished to marry him, and even tried to bribe him to stay with her, offering gifts of immortality and eternal youth. Even though Odysseus was still in love with his wife back home, he had succumbed to the divine and seductive godlike characteristics of Calypso thus starting their very intimate relationship.

This relationship continued for the whole of Odysseus’ time on the island until Zeus

This relationship continued for the whole of Odysseus’ time on the island until Zeus saw it for Odysseus to return on his journey home. When Calypso had heard of this news she was outraged, claiming that the Gods never let a Goddess love a mortal man and that there would be different circumstances if it was God that loved a mortal woman.

Eventually, Calypso succumbed to the supremacy of Zeus and the gods and sent Odysseus

Eventually, Calypso succumbed to the supremacy of Zeus and the gods and sent Odysseus on his way home with a manmade raft stored with food and wine. Still, Calypso was reluctant to let Odysseus go and yet again offered him gifts of immortality in return for him to stay with her. It has been said that the offer of immortality and eternity beside a goddess was very tempting for Odysseus and made him doubt his decision. In the end of however he stayed true to his family and kingdom and ventured off for his homeland.

Calypso played a very important female role within the Odyssey, before Odysseus was trapped

Calypso played a very important female role within the Odyssey, before Odysseus was trapped on Ogygia he had lived almost his whole life in a male dominated world; ruling his kingdom and help leading his men into the battle of Troy. So when he was trapped on the island he had to come to terms with Calypso’s femininity and his sole dependency on her.

Calypso’s role also symbolises temptation, coming in the form of seduction. For Odysseus, Calypso’s

Calypso’s role also symbolises temptation, coming in the form of seduction. For Odysseus, Calypso’s sex appeal was very distracting and initially hindered him from returning to Ithaca. Odysseus became so side-tracked by Calypso and her charm that he fell into her trap and was imprisoned on her Island.

While trapped upon Ogygia, the role of Calypso and her Island presented a challenge

While trapped upon Ogygia, the role of Calypso and her Island presented a challenge for Odysseus. That is, the challenges of doing no demanding challenge. For the previous 10 years he had been a great hero, fighting in the Battle of Troy, so once he was forced to live on this simple Island, it was a great inner conflict for Odysseus. For he was now obliged to live a peaceful, sensual and calm life with Calypso’s time with Odysseus proves that women can also be the stronger and more dominant figures especially in mythology where the stories are often of superior male roles.