Calypso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calypso |
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Detail from Calypso receiving Telemachus and Mentor in the Grotto by William Hamilton
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| Abode | Ogygia |
| Personal information | |
| Children | By some accounts Latinus, by others Nausithous and Nausinous |
| Parents | Atlas, Pleione |
Kalypso or Calypso is a beautiful nymph (a kind of nature spirit or goddess) from Greek mythology. She lives on a mysterious island called Ogygia. This island was so hidden that it was almost impossible to find twice! Calypso was the daughter of Atlas, a powerful Titan who held up the sky. Because of something she did, the gods made her stay on Ogygia and not leave.
Calypso and Odysseus
Calypso is famous for her story with the Greek hero Odysseus. After a long and dangerous journey, Odysseus's ship was destroyed. He was the only one to survive, and he washed ashore on Calypso's island.
Odysseus's Stay
Calypso welcomed Odysseus and took care of him. She fell in love with him and wanted him to stay with her forever. She even offered him immortality (meaning he would live forever and never die). Odysseus stayed on Ogygia for seven years. He lived in a beautiful cave and had everything he could want.
Leaving Ogygia
Even though Calypso offered him an amazing life, Odysseus missed his home and his wife, Penelope. He wanted to go back to them more than anything. The gods saw how sad Odysseus was. So, the god Hermes, who was a messenger for the gods, came to Calypso's island. Hermes told Calypso that the other gods wanted her to let Odysseus go.
Calypso was very sad, but she knew she had to obey the gods. She helped Odysseus build a new raft and gave him supplies for his journey. Odysseus then left Ogygia to continue his long trip home.
Images for kids
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Calypso, blonde-haired goddess by Jan Styka (20th century)
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Calypsoby George Hitchcock (about 1906)
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Calypso calling heaven and earth to witness her sincere affection to Ulysses by Angelica Kauffman (18th-century)
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Calypso receiving Telemachus and Mentor in the Grotto by William Hamilton (18th century)
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Odysseus as guest at the nymph Calypso by Hendrick van Balen (circa 1616)
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Ulysses on Calypso's island by Ditlev Blunck (1830)
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Hermes bei Calypso und Odysseus by Hubert Maurer
See also
In Spanish: Calypso para niños
