Nymph · Character in Homer’s Odyssey

Calypso

Nymph of the hidden isle

Lonely, possessive, finally dutiful; argues bitterly, then provisions the raft.

She pulls the last survivor of the last wreck out of the water and keeps him on Ogygia for seven years, offering to make him immortal if he will stay. Ordered by Zeus to let him go, she gives him tools, timber, and a fair wind.

Bonds

• Hermes visits Calypso — delivers Zeus' command to free him
• Calypso captor of Odysseus — holds him weeping on her isle
• Calypso loves Odysseus — offers him immortality to stay
• Calypso aids Odysseus — helps him build and stock a raft
• Calypso dwells in Ogygia — her cave, apart from the gods

Appears in

• Book I Visit of Athena to Telemachus
• Book IV Conference of Telemachus and Menelaus
• Book V Departure of Odysseus from Calypso
• Book VII Reception of Odysseus by Alcinoüs
• Book XII The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis

Scenes

1. Zeus recalls Aegisthus — Book I. Zeus blames mortals via Aegisthus
2. Athena pleads for Odysseus — Book I. Athena begs Zeus, plans to send Hermes
3. Odysseus on Calypso’s Isle — Book IV. Odysseus weeps, Menelaus promised Elysium
4. Gods Debate Odysseus’ Fate — Book V. Athena pleads, Zeus sends Hermes
5. Hermes Journeys to Calypso’s Isle — Book V. Hermes arrives, finds Calypso in her cave
6. Hermes Delivers Zeus’ Decree — Book V. Hermes tells Calypso to free Odysseus
7. Calypso Protests, Then Yields — Book V. Calypso protests, yields to Zeus
8. Calypso Offers a Raft — Book V. Calypso tells Odysseus to build a raft
9. Odysseus Demands an Oath — Book V. Odysseus makes Calypso swear by Styx
10. Calypso’s Final Appeal — Book V. Odysseus spurns eternity for Penelope
11. Building and Launching the Raft — Book V. Odysseus builds raft, sails to Phaeacia
12. Poseidon Wrecks the Raft — Book V. Poseidon snaps mast, Odysseus clings
13. The Raft Breaks Apart — Book V. Poseidon shatters raft, Odysseus swims
14. Arete’s Question — Book VII. Odysseus retells Calypso, shipwreck, Nausicaä
15. Gifts Packed for the Voyage — Book VIII. Gifts packed, Nausicaä watches Odysseus
16. Odysseus begins his tale — Book IX. Odysseus names himself, begins tale
17. Helios’ Wrath — Book XII. Helios spurs Zeus to wreck the ship
18. Adrift to Calypso — Book XII. Odysseus escapes Charybdis, drifts to Calypso
19. Nestor and Menelaus — Book XVII. Telemachus reports Odysseus on Calypso’s isle
20. Night of Shared Tales — Book XXIII. Penelope, Odysseus share their tales

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