CALYPSO (MYTHOLOGY)

'Calypso' (Greek: 'Καλυψώ', 'I will conceal', also transliterated as 'Kalypsó' or 'Kālypsō'), was a naiad, daughter of Atlas who lived on the island of Gozo in Greek mythology. Her name has also been listed among the list of the Nereids, which would make her a daughter of Nereus.
She delayed Odysseus on her island (Ogygia, which is thought to be modern day Gozo) for seven years of sexual imprisonment. While he was there, post-Homeric sources add, she bore him a child named Nausinous. Athena asked Zeus to spare Odysseus of his torment on the island, as he wanted to go to his homeland. Zeus sent Hermes, the messenger of the Gods, to tell Calypso to release Odysseus. As Zeus was the Lord of the Gods, she was unable to refuse him, although she wished to. Odysseus eventually returned to his homeland of Ithaca, to be with his beloved wife Penelope who waited for him at home, even though Calypso had promised him immortality if he stayed. All Odysseus wanted to do is return to penelope and Telemachus so there family can be together again.
The island of Gozo, part of the Maltese archipelago, has a long tradition that links it with the mythical figure of Calypso.^[1]

Contents

Variants

References in pop culture

References

Variants

★ Calypso also refers to an Oceanid, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys.^[2]

★ Another Calypso is the daughter of Perse (and hence granddaughter of Oceanus and Tethys) and either Helios or Apollo

References in pop culture

★ ''The Odyssey'', a 1997 TV miniseries in which the character of Calypso was portrayed by Vanessa L. Williams

★ '', a 2007 film in which Calypso appears as the goddess of the sea who, while bound in human form, was portrayed by Naomie Harris.

★ Suzanne Vega features a song on her album ''Solitude Standing'' called Calypso, in reference to this mythological figure.

★ Calypso is referenced in post-hardcore band Glassjaw's 2003 single Ape Dos Mil.

★ In the 1981 animated epic series "Ulysses 31", Calypso appears in an episode called "Calypso". She is a lonely queen with magical hair and lives on a crystal planet with a dying crystal sun.

★ Calypso is referenced in the song 'Oh, Calypso' by the band Household NAME.

References

1. http://www.aboutmalta.com/grazio/calypsoisle.html
2. http://www.maicar.com/GML/OCEANIDS.html


★ Homer, ''Odyssey'' V, and VII; Apollodorus, ''Epitome'' VII, 24.