Calypso (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Calypso was a nymph who lived on the beautiful island of Ogygia. In Homer’s great story, The Odyssey, she met Odysseus after he was blown off course during his long journey home from the Trojan War.

Calypso offered Odysseus something very special—she promised him immortality if he would stay with her on her island.

But Odysseus had a strong wish to return to his home and his family. Even though he was tempted by Calypso’s offer, he missed his loved ones too much. After many years, the other gods decided to help Odysseus. They told Calypso that she must let him leave Ogygia so he could continue his journey back home.

Etymology

The name Calypso comes from an old Greek word meaning "to cover" or "to conceal." This is why her name can be understood as "she who conceals." An old dictionary says her name means "concealing the knowledge," using another Greek phrase.

Family

Calypso is often said to be the daughter of the Titan Atlas. Some stories say she is the daughter of Pleione, the mother of the Pleiades.

Other writers say she might be one of the Oceanid nymphs, daughters of Tethys and Oceanus. She is also sometimes listed as one of the Nereids, daughters of Nereus and Doris. One story even says she is the daughter of the sun-god Helios and the nymph Perse, who is also the mother of Circe.

One old story says Calypso had a child with the messenger of the gods, Hermes. This idea comes from the times Hermes visited her island in the story of the Odyssey.

Mythology

The Odyssey

In Homer's Odyssey, the nymph Calypso lived on an island called Ogygia. She wanted the hero Odysseus to stay with her forever. But Odysseus really wanted to go home to his wife, Penelope. For seven years, Odysseus stayed on the island, unhappy and longing for his home.

Finally, the gods decided that Odysseus should be allowed to leave. The messenger of the gods told Calypso to let Odysseus go. Though she was upset, Calypso helped Odysseus build a boat. She gave him tools, food, and even helped him sail away from the island.

Other narratives

Some stories say that Calypso and Odysseus had children together, though most tales say they did not. The story of Calypso and Odysseus is similar to another ancient tale about a hero named Gilgamesh and a woman named Siduri from the Epic of Gilgamesh. In some versions, Calypso kept Odysseus on the island because she wanted to help Poseidon, the sea god who disliked Odysseus.

In literature

In her poem Calypso Watching the Ocean, Letitia Landon wrote about Calypso hoping for Odysseus to return. She talked about how it's not good to want someone so much that you can't move on.

Philosophy

Philosophers have thought about what Calypso means in ancient Greek stories. Ryan Patrick Hanley talked about how Calypso is shown in a book called Les Aventures de Télémaque by Fénelon. He says the story shows the connection between love and pride. Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer noticed how Calypso's story mixes control with feelings they called "bourgeois housewives."