The Relationship Between Odysseus and Calypso Essay Example

The relationship between Odysseus and Calypso is of complex nature, in a way it reflects that of a forceful lover, totally blinded by her own selfish desires, unknowingly kidnapping, and imprisoning an innocent bystander. This view was heavily emphasized by Homer, who accentuated the concept of “unwilling lover alongside lover all too willing,” (5.172). On the other hand, the relationship also reflects that of true lovers, who gradually fell for each other, but as time progressed their feelings regarding the relationship diverged. The true nature of their relationship involves a mixture of both perspectives, it originated as one embedded in mutual love, but as time progressed, their feelings differed. Due to this, Calypso, totally enamored, unknowingly held Odysseus captive, she had still believed that he reciprocated her feelings.

The relationship between Calypso and Odysseus flourished based on the care, nurture, and affection exhibited by both parties. Prior to washing up onto Ogygia, Odysseus had been stranded, left to fend for himself, all his shipmates dead, his ship in pieces, and his clothes in rags. After 9 whole days and nights, he finally had made it to the island, where the “lustrous goddess” (5.87) had “welcomed him warmly, cherished him, [and] even vowed to make [him] immortal, ageless, all his days…” (5.150-151). In her response to Hermes’, Calypso speaks with passion, utilizing amorous yet obsessive diction, each thought and word, specifically placed to create a doting sense. The inclusion of the word “vowed” emphasizes Calypso’s dedication, commitment, and allegiance to Odysseus, she has made it a mission to live her life alongside him, even if it takes divine intervention, in a way she became obsessed, devoted, and fanatical. Concurrently, she says that she “cherished him,” as in she valued him, deemed him as prized possession, she based her routine and her life around him, all in order to satisfy his needs, which she made herself believe would result in his everlasting love. Initially this held some truth, the relationship between Calypso and Odysseus did in fact contain some form of mutual love. Homer unveils the past between Calypso and Odysseus at two main occurrences, the first occurs prior to Calypso revealing Zeus’ mandate, Odysseus, seated at the edge of the water, “wept for his foiled journey home, since the nymph no longer pleased [him].” (5.169-170). Homer including this, introduces a hidden perspective, Odysseus, only now longs for home because he became bored with Calypso, which means that for some time prior to that, the feelings that Calypso felt were in fact reciprocated. Another instance that also pushes this narrative occurs after she reveals Zeus’ mandate, where for the first time in a while “they [had] lost themselves in love.” (5.251). These two instances introduce the idea that Calypso and Odysseys’ relationship was built on the basis of mutual feelings and love, however, as time grew, 7 years, they grew in separate ways; Calypso became more captivated and fixated with Odysseus’ charm, while he became disinterested and jaded, whether that was simply due to time or boredom, or the unattractive, overbearing force that Calypso inflicted on him.

After addressing the general dynamics of the relationship between Calypso and Odysseus, the actions of Calypso remain to be addressed. Were her actions purely out of selfish desire or were they from a place of love? These feelings could perhaps also be derived from fear, fear of losing whom she believed to be the love of her life, fear that if she loosened her grasp, he would fleet, and simply put, she could not return to the lone world she lived in before. The duality of love and fear was perhaps Calypso’s downfall, what truly caused Odysseus to lose interest. However, her actions were not from bad intentions, she truly loved Odysseus and believed he would benefit the most with her. In her intense response to Zeus’ mandate, she “burst into a flight of indignation,” (5.130) utterly offended that Zeus would interfere in what she viewed as a perfect relationship, Calypso views this interference as one that could be compared to Romeo and Juliet. Two lovers, in complete enamor, unjustifiably separated by unapproving, even jealous forces. Calypso’s furious response is in fact justified, in her mind the feelings she feels for Odysseus are reciprocated, or at the very least should be, as she is the reason to why he remains alive. While the other gods destroyed him to the ground, she built him back up to the “godlike man” he was said to be, and to her, that is worth never-ending love and affection. Furthermore, not only is her wrath justified because of her true love towards Odysseus, but also because of the mandate itself. The God’s partake in an unjust system with double standards, when others’ actions conflict with theirs, instead of prosecuting the whole, they persecute the individual. In this case Calypso, as well as other Goddesses are forbidden from continuing their relationships, whether considered forceful or not, meanwhile other omnipotent Gods like Zeus, live their lives ungoverned, unplagued by the corrupt rules they create for others. And Calypso mocks this concept by ironically mimicking Hermes’ words and repeating the belief that “there is no way for another god to thwart the will of storming Zeus…” (152-153). Calypso ridicules the immortal system, as well as points its biggest flaw, the inconsistency, and therefore, a new light illuminates the Gods. Now, instead of being seen as omnipotent divine beings, they seem to simply be flawed humans with supernatural capabilities. From her simple response to Hermes’ delivery of the mandate, Calypso’s actions are explained, she is blinded by her love for Odysseus as well as the highs she experiences, and consequently does not see his suffering. And even if his suffering is occasionally revealed to her, she remains plagued with the fear of living in solitude. 

The relationship between Calypso and Odysseus may be interpreted in different ways, however, viewing it as one that flourished on the basis of mutual love that slowly died down changes the entire course of the epic. If the relationship had been consensual even if it was for a little time was Odysseus truly faithful to Penelope? If he had solely yearned for her as well as Ithaca when he was unsatisfied with Calypso, did he truly want to return or was it from a place of boredom? Many questions arise in regard to what leads up to as well as follows the scene with Calypso and Odysseus. It leaves not only the character of Calypso in question, but also the heroic character of Odysseus and his course of action.