Calypso

• keeps Ody on Ogygia for 7 years - explains away a big chunk of time of T growing up and Ody's travels
• only see the last days of his confinement
• her name is significant - means 'concealer'
• detailed description of her cave gives the audience a clear setting for the action
• rich vegetation with vines and fountains represents a magical natural world that the audience could only dream of
• vine has mystical and erotic connotations
• Circe and Calypso sing and weave
• recognises her place in the divine hierarchy and knows she must obey Zeus' commands
• doesn't stop her showing her indignation
• doesn't show her outrage to Ody
• pretends she has decided to let him go because of his unhappiness
• provides Ody with his needs
• he is suspicious, fearing that she is plotting mischief
• she strokes him and gently rebukes him for his cunning mind
• she foreshadows Athene in bk 13
• she is portrayed as a sensitive human
• the lasting impression of her is a woman desperate to keep the man she loves
• once she knows he must leave, she provides good xenia