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– Odysseus leaves Kalypso

Kalypso tells Hermes, “I will gladly give him [Odysseus] counsel, and I will conceal nothing [a play on her name, which means ‘concealer’] so that he might arrive unscathed at the land of his fathers (132-35). This seems directly counter to the decree of Zeus (see above) though she aims to achieve the same end. Odysseus does eventually arrive home, with help, but I don’t think he would agree he is “unscathed.” It seems like the other gods think Zeus doesn’t really know how to “get things done” so they have to step in to do his will! In terms of the poem though, I think Homer is creating tension and suspense for Odysseus and the reader. If everything just fell neatly into place on his journey home, there would be no drama. Odysseus doesn’t know his fate, so he struggles to survive. I think his willingness to struggle earns him some favor with the gods, even though from their perspective he’s helpless.

Kalypso tells Odysseus directly that she will send him forth “with a ready heart,” but he suspects she doesn’t want to let him go, and makes her take an oath not to do him any more harm. She says, “You are a rascal. And no fool, that you have sought to say this word!” A rascal because he questions her true motive, which she has concealed. And only a fool would trust the gods! These are the qualities for which Odysseus was admired by the Greeks — even the gods could not easily deceive him. He’s always on guard to turn a situation to his advantage, as here he has made an ally of Kalypso, his captor (death in some sense) by not openly resisting her. He was her lover for seven years, and thereby won her goodwill. 

She tests him one last time, saying she doesn’t think she’s less desirable or less beautiful than his wife Penelope. Odysseus is careful to agree, and avoids the insult of a beauty contest between mortal and immortal — which would not end well for him or Penelope! Instead he emphasizes that he’s homesick for the land of his fathers, and is willing to endure any trial or affliction the gods may send him in order to return (a claim they will quickly put to the test).