The Odyssey Group

Question:

sharrons
sharrons
Teacher
High School - 12th Grade

In regards to The Odyssey, is Calypso a nymph or a goddess? Also, what is the difference between a nymph and a goddess?

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Posted by sharrons on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM and tagged with calypso, goddess, greek mythology, nymph, the odyssey.

Answers:

  1. stefaniecpeters
    stefaniecpeters

    eNotes Editor

    Calypso is both a nymph and a goddess. Nymphs were daughters of gods. The word "nymph" in Greek originally meant "bride" but later also meant "young woman." Sometimes nymphs refer specifically to dryads, or wood-nymphs; naiads, or river-nymphs; or nereids, or sea-nymphs. But in Calypso's case, as she is the daughter of Atlas and has the ability to offer Odysseus the magical gifts of immortality and eternal youth, she is both.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/classical-medieval-criticism/greek-...
    http://www.enotes.com/odyssey/characters

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    Posted by stefaniecpeters on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at 9:32 PM