When we think of Greek mythology, the stories of gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters, often come to mind. One such story is that of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War.
Along the way, he encountered many challenges and obstacles, one of which was being held captive by the nymph Calypso on her island. However, Odysseus was not alone in his quest as he received help from the god Hermes.
Who is Hermes?
Before we delve into how Hermes helped Odysseus with Calypso, let’s first understand who Hermes is. In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the messenger god and is often depicted wearing winged sandals and a hat.
He’s also associated with commerce, thieves, and travelers. But above all else, he’s known for his cunning intelligence and ability to outsmart others.
Odysseus’ Situation with Calypso
Now let’s focus on Odysseus’ situation with Calypso. After being shipwrecked on her island, she took him in and made him her lover. But despite her affection for him, he longed to return home to his wife Penelope and their son Telemachus.
Calypso refused to let him leave and promised him immortality if he stayed with her forever. However, this offer did not entice Odysseus as he knew that true happiness could only be found by reuniting with his family back in Ithaca.
Hermes’ Intervention
This is where Hermes came in. Zeus had taken pity on Odysseus’ plight and sent Hermes to deliver a message to Calypso demanding that she release Odysseus from captivity so he could continue his journey home.
Hermes arrived on Calypso’s island disguised as a mortal man seeking directions. He then revealed his true identity and delivered Zeus’ message to Calypso. Despite her objections, Hermes made it clear that she had no choice but to release Odysseus or face the wrath of the gods.
The Outcome
Calypso reluctantly agreed to let Odysseus go, but not before trying one last time to persuade him to stay with her. However, Odysseus remained resolute in his desire to return home and declined her offer.
Thanks to Hermes’ intervention, Odysseus was finally able to leave Calypso’s island and continue his journey home. This was a major turning point in his quest as it brought him one step closer to reuniting with his family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes played a crucial role in helping Odysseus escape from Calypso’s captivity. His intelligence and cunning allowed him to outsmart Calypso and convince her to release Odysseus from her grasp. Without Hermes’ intervention, Odysseus may have been stuck on the island forever, never able to return home.
9 Related Question Answers Found
In Book 10 of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, the protagonist Odysseus finds himself stranded on the island of Aeolus after narrowly escaping the clutches of Polyphemus, the Cyclops. Here, he seeks the help of Hermes, the messenger god and son of Zeus. The Role of Hermes in The Odyssey
Hermes plays a significant role in The Odyssey as he is depicted as a mediator between gods and mortals.
Hermes is one of the most important characters in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. He plays a crucial role in helping Odysseus navigate through his journey home from the Trojan War. Here’s a closer look at how Hermes helps Odysseus.
In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Hermes, the messenger of the gods, plays an important role in helping Odysseus return home to Ithaca. Hermes provides Odysseus with several gifts and pieces of advice that help him overcome the many challenges he faces on his journey. One of the first things Hermes gives to Odysseus is a magical herb called moly.
Hermes, the messenger of the gods, plays a crucial role in aiding Odysseus throughout his epic journey in Homer’s “The Odyssey.” Let’s take a closer look at how Hermes helps Odysseus overcome various obstacles and challenges. Meeting Hermes
Odysseus first encounters Hermes on the island of Aeaea, where he seeks aid from the sorceress Circe. Before they meet, however, Hermes appears to Odysseus in a dream and warns him of Circe’s treachery.
Odysseus, the Greek hero of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey,” was known for his cleverness and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles. But even he needed help from the gods at times, and in particular from the messenger god Hermes. Hermes was a crucial ally for Odysseus throughout his long journey home after the Trojan War.
In Greek mythology, Hermes was the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers. He was also known as the messenger of the gods and had a significant role to play in the story of Odysseus. When Odysseus set out on his journey home after the Trojan War, he faced numerous obstacles and challenges.
When we think of Greek mythology, one of the first names that come to mind is Hermes. He was known as the messenger of gods and was responsible for delivering important messages and gifts from the gods to humans. In Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey, Hermes plays a significant role in helping the protagonist, Odysseus.
When we think of the ancient Greek hero Odysseus, we often picture him battling monsters or outwitting gods. But one of his most crucial allies was actually a goddess – Hermes, the messenger of the gods. On Aeaea, the island home of the witch Circe, Odysseus and his men found themselves in a precarious situation.
The Greek god Hermes played a significant role in Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey. While the story primarily revolves around the hero Odysseus and his journey back home, Hermes appears in multiple instances throughout the poem, playing different roles at different points. One of the most significant encounters between Hermes and Odysseus occurs when the latter is stranded on Calypso’s island.
