3 Odysseus on Calypso’s Island

CHAPTER 3 Odysseus on Calypso's Island Telemachus was moving along well in his journey to find Odysseus. Athena left him and his crew for a little while, not long enough for them to notice. She was restless thinking about Odysseus stuck on Calypso's island. She flew back to Mount Olympus to talk the other gods into setting him free. "Odysseus still suffers on Calypso's island," she told her fellow gods. "Yes, she loves him and takes care of him. But Odysseus is heartsick and homesick. We must send him home," she pleaded. She also spoke of the

wicked suitors' plan to attack Telemachus. Athena's father, Zeus, hated to see his daughter unhappy. Besides, Poseidon was away, so he was unable to argue his point. Zeus decided to send Hermes, Athena's brother, to speak to Calypso. He would convince the goddess to free Odysseus. "But, Daughter, it will not be that simple," Zeus reminded her. "Odysseus's suffering is far from over." Hermes put on his golden sandals and flew to Calypso's island. He reached her cave. Surrounding it was a lush forest of beautiful trees. Many kinds of birds had built their nests there, and they sang wonderful songs. Grapes, violets, and all sorts of fragrant herbs bloomed under the trees. Even a god such as Hermes was charmed by the scene. Clearly, however, one mortal was not so charmed. Hermes saw Odysseus sitting down

by the edge of the sea. He was staring sadly out over the water. Hermes knew he was thinking of home. Hermes entered Calypso's cave. When she saw him, she recognized him at once. All the gods knew one another. She also knew exactly why he had come. Hermes did not even have to speak a word. "You will never get me to release Odysseus!" she exclaimed. "I love him and he is mine. Zeus and the other gods must be jealous that I, a goddess, have fallen in love with a mortal man! "And I haven't done anything wrong," she continued. "I saved Odysseus when his ship sank. I only wanted to make him immortal, so he could live with me forever." "I come by Zeus's command," Hermes told her. "He says you must give up Odysseus." Calypso knew she couldn't disobey Zeus.

After Hermes left, she went down to the shore to sit with Odysseus. She told him he could leave. "I am sorry I couldn't be happy here," Odysseus said. "It must be this way," Calypso replied. She had tears in her eyes but quickly wiped them away. "Go cut some beams of wood and make yourself a sturdy raft. I will put bread and water on board, so you won't starve. I will also give you clothes to keep you warm, and a fair wind to take you home. It is settled." But Odysseus was nervous. "Goddess," he said. "Do you really mean to help me? You cannot truly want me to sail this rough sea on just a raft, no matter how sturdy it is. Please promise me that this is not a trick of some kind." Calypso took his hand. "Your trip will not

be easy," she admitted. "But this is what the gods have decided. This raft is your only way off my island. Go back to your life in Ithaca. Go back to your wife. The heavens above and earth below are my witnesses. I promise I am not trying to trick or hurt you. My heart is not made of iron. I do love you, and I am very sorry for you." With these words, Odysseus followed Calypso to the cave. He sat and ate a final meal with her. "Are you sure you don't want to stay here with me?" she asked him. "Surely, your wife is not taller or more beautiful than I am?" "Calypso," Odysseus said. "You are a goddess. Of course no mortal woman could compare. But I love my wife more than anything." Calypso nodded, and the two of them went to sleep. When morning came,

Odysseus was ready to build his raft. Calypso handed him a beautiful ax with an olive- wood handle. She led him to the far end of the island, where the driest and best trees could be found. He would make his raft out of these. Odysseus quickly cut down twenty trees. He chopped them into planks of wood for the raft. In no time, he had tied all the wood together and fitted the raft with a mast and a wheel. Calypso gave Odysseus some linen to make his sails. Together they pulled the raft into the water. It was time for Odysseus to set sail for home. Pushed by Calypso's fair wind, Odysseus sailed for seventeen days without seeing land. Finally, he could see the outlines of the Phaeacian coast on the horizon. But Poseidon, the mighty god of the sea, was flying overhead. He caught sight of