Odysseus’ Answers to Calypso: No Means No

Odysseus declines Calypso’s offer for the most sought after immortality because ultimately, his desire to return home and reunite with his wife, Penelope, outweighs any of Calypso’s most tempting offers. This proves to be true in several ways: first, it is important to realize that Odysseus has been on Ogygia Island for over nineteen years and is still yearning to return to Ithaca. Second, his direct decline of Calypso’s advances is clever and courageous, and lastly, even though Calypso foretells of dangers on his journey home, he states that he will endure them. Indeed, Odysseus has been living a lavish lifestyle on this radiant island, including sleeping with a gorgeous goddess and devouring godly foods, like ambrosia and nectar. He is living an idealistic and desired life, yet he cries and wishes to be back home and with his wife. Even after almost twenty years, he still wants to escape from the island. This displays Odysseus’ strength of character, as he seems to show so much devotion to Ithaca and Penelope, even as he is lavished with the divine luxuries Calypso has to offer. Importantly, Odysseys’ direct response to Calypso was clever and meaningful. As Calypso offers him immortality, expecting his rejection, she asks how him how unfair it is that a mortal woman could rival her. In his answer we can see how he skillfully responds with flattery: "Ah, great goddess," worldly Odysseus answered, "don't be angry with me. All that you say is true, how well I know, Look at my wise Penelope. She falls far short of you, your beauty, stature. (The Odyssey V.236-240)1

He tactfully compliments her, not wanting to upset the goddess, even though he truly loves Penelope. He further states that despite Calypso’s beauty and tempting gifts, even the most prized immortality, he longs to return to Ithaca, his home. His response is important because it shows his strength to say no to temptation as he takes action to stand up for what he desires. Furthermore, Odysseus not only denies Calypso’s offers, he accepts her warnings of the dangers of his journey back. He is willing to risk death at sea rather than play it safe by staying with Calypso. He also declares that he is familiar with the hardships of the sea and of war, so why not bring on another difficulty? Odysseus’ acceptance of and willingness to endure future sufferings shows his ultimate love for Penelope and his city as he risks his life for the chance to one day reunite with them. In conclusion, Odysseus rejects the offer of immortality from Calypso in order to return to his wife and kingdom. There is no other reason, because it is evident that he would be happier at home. Odysseus had a luxurious life and slept with a beautiful goddess, yet he was still unhappy. His response to Calypso about longing to be home reaffirmed to her his choice of leaving and his rejection of her alluring gifts. Further, his willingness to take on the sufferings of his journey home demonstrated his faithfulness to his city and wife by gambling his life for the possibility of reunion. Therefore, Odysseus’ true intentions are to return to Ithaca and Penelope, which shows how important a homecoming is to him as he would not trade that for immortality.

Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. Ed. Sarah Lawall. Vol. 1. 8th ed. New York: Norton, 2006, pp. 265.