calypso questions 1-7

1. Odysseus, considered by the Greeks to be a hero, us described early on as ‘lion-hearted, valiant and resourceful.’ Contrast this image with the picture of Odysseus painted by Fagles on pages 157-159. Look in these pages, and elsewhere in the chapter, for words and actions that describe a very different kind of man, and record them.
On pages 157-159, Fagles describes Odysseus to be a more cowardly, pathetic man, than what the Greeks considered him to be. Instead of accepting his fate, and being valiant, he pathetically mourns for himself. “All his days he’s sit on the rocks and beaches, wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish”. He is also very rude to Calypso, and is always questioning her as if she may fool him once again.
2. What attitude does Hermes display towards Calypso? What attitude does Calypso display towards Hermes and the other male gods?
At first, Hermes is in awe of her beauty, and the beauty around her. But after, he snaps out of it. As soon as Calypso greets him, she is very polite, and asks him what he wants. She offers to do anything he needs, and supplies him with many luxuries. Hermes does not wish to displeasure her, and reminds her many times as he speaks to message he is carrying that it was not his choice, but Zeus’ to tell her this news. Although Calypso is at Hermes’ beck and call at first, she does become angry once she hears the news, and explodes in rage.

3. Describe Calypso and her home (see pages 154-155 in particular). Does she remind you of any character in Gilgamesh? If so, who? Why?
Calypso is a beautiful goddess, with breathtaking features, and a lovely voice. Her home is filled with comforting surroundings in every aspect. There are lovely aromas floating through the air, and everything about it is luxurious. She is similar to Siduri from Gilgamesh. Siduri was described in the same way in the epic Gilgamesh. Siduri had a comforting surrounding and her home was very welcoming and homely, but in both situations the “guest” staying with the two woman were still eager to leave.
4. In Fagles’ text, Odysseus is described as an “unwilling lover”; explain what he means by this, and whether such a thing is possible.
When is Odysseus is described as an unwilling lover, Fagles is trying to say that Calypso and Odysseus were brought together by fate, and were meant to be lovers, but Odysseus did not wish for this. Odysseus wished to return home to his own wife Penelope, although Calypso was a goddess, and her beauty was far more than that of Penelope’s. Therefore, them being unwilling lovers was not possible, because for both of them to be lovers, Odysseus would have to love Calypso equally, and willingly.
5. How does Odysseus respond to Calypso’s offer of immortality (158-159)? Why?
He is kind in his response. Odysseus responds by saying that although Calypso’s beauty is far more than that of his own wife’s, he wishes to face the hardships, and return back home rather than staying with calypso forever and being immortal, because he has already suffered long and hard, and just a little more wont hurt if he gets a good end result.
6. How does Odysseus respond to Calypso’s offer to help him leave? Why?
As soon as Calypso offers help, he is immediately guarded, and protective over his own well-being. He feels as if she is trying to trick him in some way, because he is used o being deceived, He doesn’t believe her, and demands that she swears with a binding oath that she wont pull any tricks to harm him. He doesn’t listen or calm own until she does as he says, and gives the oath.
7. How does Odysseus respond when Poseidon sends the storm? What does this response reveal about Odysseus’ character?
When Poseidon sends the storm, Odysseus immediately gives up hope, and resorts to the worst-case scenario. He wails about what is happening, and exclaims that it would have been better to die at battle back at war, because that would have been a glorious death, while this is a painful miserable one. This shows that he gives up easily, and cares a lot about glory.