Odysseus is
on Calypsos island for seven years, and until the last day, the goddess is holding him prisoner.
He is described as being sad the entire time, aching to return to Ithaca and Penelope:
his eyes were never dry of tears, and his sweet life was ebbing
away, as he longed mournfully for his return (5.150)
Athena eventually intervenes, going straight to Zeus, and the gods (besides Poseidon)
agree that Odysseus should be let free. It is only due to the direct intervention of the
Olympian gods that Calypso agrees to let Odysseus go in the first place.
She
tells him of her intention, but offers to let him stay, offering him the chance to be her
immortal husband, and saying that:
Surely not inferior to
[Penelope] do I declare myself to be either in form or stature, for no mortal women should vie
with immortals in form or comeliness (5.213)
Calypso is
being sneaky by comparing herself to Penelope. If Odysseus says his wife is more beautiful, then
that is an act of , which the gods might punish. Odysseus does not want to be punished by the
gods anymore, however, and gives a very diplomatic answer:
Mighty goddess€¦I know full well€¦that Penelope is meaner to look upon than thou€¦for
she is mortal, while thou art immortal and ageless. But even so I long day by day to reach my
home (5.215)
Calypso tries to trick Odysseus into
disrespecting the gods, but the man of many wiles flatters her instead and is allowed to leave
the island.
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