Significance Of Calypso In The Odyssey

Calypso, the nymph of the braided tresses, was a goddess whom many feared, and it just so happens that it was her island that Odysseus slowly drifted towards upon a piece of wreckage on the 9th night after his ship was wrecked.
Although the night was unwelcoming and filled with gloom, Odysseus felt re-energized and filled with strength after the first signs of morning trickled in, and this was when Odysseus first noticed the beautiful island that lay in front of him. Odysseus began his journey inland, until he finally found a vast cave, which he later found to be the cave Calypso had taken shelter in. As Odysseus entered he felt the warmth of the fire burning in the hearth, and the mesmerizing smells that the cedar and sandalwood gave off as
Odysseus began constructing his raft with the axe bestowed upon him. Come 4 days, Odysseus was ready to embark on his journey to return to his home. Calypso presented Odysseus with equipment to last him the journey, and said fairwell. In 18 days Odysseus finally saw the first sights of the land of the Phaeacians. But just then, Poseidon returned. Poseidon though to himself, “ha! Odysseus believes his sorrows are over, however I can drive him far enough in the path of suffering” And then Poseidon created a storm, letting it loose upon Odysseus. It was then that a sea nymph climbed aboard his raft, instructing Odysseus to take her veil, discard of his soaked cloths and now damaged raft, and swim with all his will back to land. But Odysseus, feeling betrayed by this new development Poseidon had brought upon him, decided to ignore her advice. Then, after Poseidon let out his most fierce and powerful wave, Odysseus decided to follow the instructions and removed his clothes, and began to swim. At last, Odysseus caught sight of land, but the land was not what he expected, just large rocky, unwelcoming land. As Odysseus was deep in thought, a wave pushed him to the reef, Odysseus would have been killed instantly if Athene did not decide to save him. Odysseus clung on to a rock, and held until the waves passed. However the wave rushed back, and ripped him off the rock, throwing him back into the sea. It was with tattered, bloody hands that Odysseus rose and swam, until he found where a river joined the sea. Odysseus begged the river to be merciful, and the kind river became smooth, gently carrying him to shore. Tattered, injured, and bloodied as Odysseus may be, he had finally reached land. When he came to, he returned the veil to the ocean, and Odysseus knelt down to the earth, kissing is