Name __________________________________
Date _____________________
English I – Biber
The Odyssey – “Calypso, The Sweet Nymph” p.891-893
Introduction:
1. The first books of the epic tell about ________________________________________
2. When we first meet Odysseus in book 5 he is a _______________________________ of
the beautiful goddess _________________________.
3. How long has he been a captive? _______ years
4. What goddess has supported and helped Odysseus? __________________________
5. Finally, Zeus agrees to help Odysseus, so he sends ____________________, the
messenger god to order his release.
6. Two things have kept Odysseus away from his wife:
7. Calypso’s ________________________ charms
8. Calypso’s promises of ______________________________
Text:
1. What does Hermes wear to carry him over the water? _______________________
2. What does he carry with him? A ______________ that allows him to ______________
men asleep or awake
3. Draw a small picture of Hermes below. Be sure to include the details from lines 41-47 also
in your picture:
OVER 
4. Next we meet Calypso. She is at home in her cave with a great fire burning. What 2 things
is she doing?
1)
2)
5. The author then describes the woods outside the cave. What does he describe out there?
6. At first Hermes doesn’t see Odysseus. Describe what Odysseus is doing and what he
looks like (lines 72-74):
7. What does it mean when the author tells us each of the following statements:
Quote from text
What these lines mean
a) tear on tear brimming his eyes
b) The sweet days of his lifetime were
running out in anguish over his exile
c) for long ago the nymph had ceased
to please
8. What is Calypso’s tone when she says, “O forlorn man, be still.”?
9. She agrees to let Odysseus go and then what do they do? (look at lines 95-100)
10. Next there is some foreshadowing. Look at lines 101-111 and copy the part that is
foreshadowing:
Calypso goes on the tell Odysseus that she cannot believe she is less interesting and beautiful
than his wife. She can’t believe that a mortal would compare with a goddess in grace and
form.
11. We are then told that Odysseus builds a raft. Who doesn’t want to make things easy for
him? _________________________
12. What does this god do? _________________________________________________
13. What goddess helps Odysseus? ________________________
14. Where does Odysseus land? On the island of ________________________
15. Where does he hide? ____________________________
16. What does he do once he hides? _____________________________
KEY
English I – Biber
The Odyssey – “Calypso, The Sweet Nymph” p.891-893
Introduction:
The first books of the epic tell about Odysseus’ son Telemachus
When we first meet Odysseus in book 5 he is a prisoner
of the beautiful goddess Calypso.
How long has he been a captive? 7 years
What goddess has supported and helped Odysseus? Athena
Finally, Zeus agrees to help Odysseus, so he sends Hermes, the messenger god to order his
release.
Two things have kept Odysseus away from his wife:
Calypso’s seductive charms
Calypso’s promises of _immortality_
Text:
What does Hermes wear to carry him over the water? Beautiful sandals
What does he carry with him? A wand that allows him to charm men asleep or awake
Draw a small picture of Hermes below. Be sure to include the details from lines 41-47 also in
your picture:
(include gull above wave crests dipping to catch a fish in the violet ocean)
Next we meet Calypso. She is at home in her cave with a great fire burning. What 2 things is
she doing?
1) singing
2) weaving
The author then describes the woods outside the cave. What does he describe?
Summer leaves, cypress, ornate birds, olwls, falcons, cormorants, birds, a vine with
purple clusters and 4 springs bubbling
At first Hermes doesn’t see Odysseus. Describe what Odysseus is doing and what he looks
like (lines 72-74): sitting apart, heart groaning, eyes wet scanning the horizon of the sea
What does it mean when the author tells us each of the following statements:
Quote from text
What these lines mean
tear on tear brimming his eyes
crying
The sweet days of his lifetime were
running out in anguish over his exile
Feels like life is passing by quickly and
he is sad about this
for long ago the nymph had ceased to
please
He used to like her, but now he’s not so
pleased
What is Calypso’s tone when she says, “O forlorn man, be still.”? angry
She agrees to let Odysseus go and then what do they do? (look at lines 95-100)
eat
Next there is some foreshadowing. Look at lines 101-111 and copy the part that is
foreshadowing:
If you could see it all, before you go – all the adversity you face at sea – you would stay
here and guard this house and be immortal
Calypso goes on the tell Odysseus that she cannot believe she is less interesting and beautiful
than his wife. She can’t believe that a mortal would compare with a goddess in grace and
form.
We are then told that Odysseus builds a raft. Who doesn’t want to make things easy for him?
Poseidon_
What does this god do? _raises a storm and destroys the raft
What goddess helps Odysseus? Athena
Where does Odysseus land? On the island of Scheria
Where does he hide? ___in a pile of leaves______
What does he do once he hides? _falls asleep___