So what is Calypso, a goddess or nymph?

Question

I have read in numerous books (not all were greek mythology) where she was referred to as a goddess, a nymph, and other things. I have also read how her father was a god (not Zeus) and then how it was Zeus.

Anybody have any real answers? Or at least some good ideas? I think she is amazing, and named my kitten after her.

Answer 1

In Greek mythology Calypso (Greek: 'Καλυψώ', 'I will conceal', also transliterated as Kalypsó or Kālypsō), was a sea nymph, daughter of Atlas who lived on the island of Malta. She delayed Odysseus on her island (Ogygia) for seven years. While he was there, she bore a child named Nausinous. Athena asked Zeus to intervene. He sent Hermes to convince Calypso to release Odysseus, and she reluctantly agreed. Odysseus left to be with his beloved wife Penelope who waited for him at home even though Calypso had promised him immortality if he stayed. Some legends say Calypso died as a result of her grief.

Another Calypso is the daughter of Perse (and hence granddaughter of Oceanus and Tethys) and either Helios or Apollo.

The island of Gozo, part of the Maltese archipelago, has a long tradition that links it with the mythical figure of Calypso.

Answer 2

In Greek mythology Calypso (Greek: 'Καλυψώ', 'I will conceal', also transliterated as Kalypsó or Kālypsō), WAS A SEA NYMPH, daughter of Atlas who lived on the island of Malta. She delayed Odysseus on her island (Ogygia) for seven years. While he was there, she bore a child named Nausinous. Athena asked Zeus to intervene. He sent Hermes to convince Calypso to release Odysseus, and she reluctantly agreed. Odysseus left to be with his beloved wife Penelope who waited for him at home even though Calypso had promised him immortality if he stayed. Some legends say Calypso died as a result of her grief. She was portrayed by Vanessa L. Williams in the TV miniseries, The Odyssey.

Answer 3

Calypso was best known for her role in detaining Odysseus, spellbound to stay with her in Ogygia for seven years. Yes ! Calypso was a goddess by virtue of her ability to grant immortality to Odysseus, on ground that Odysseus remained with her. One source says that Calypso was the daughter of the Titan Oceanus. A sister of Maia and thus the aunty of Hermes. Eventually, Calypso had to let Odysseus go, on the order of Zeus. It was the pleadings of Athene that persuaded Zeus to lift the 'curse ' on Odysseus. Hermes was the one who relayed the order to Calypso. A short end in Calypso's journey of love !

Answer 4

She was Atlas' daughter in the story of Odysseus. She made him stay on her island called Ogygia for seven years. Calypso was madly in love with Odysseus, but he still loved Penelope. In the end, she helped him to build a raft and sail away from the island. I believe she was a nymph though.

Answer 5

Unfortunately it seems the name applied to both a nymph and a Goddess in the Greek myths.

Answer 6

Calypso was the name of Jacques Cousteau's ship he sailed on the ocean so many times for all his underwater seas explorations...
The ship had a song sang about her by the late and great John Denver...

Calypso

To sail on a dream on a crystal clear ocean
To ride on the crest of a wild raging storm
To work in the service of life and the living
In search of the answers to questions unknown
To be part of the movement and part of the growing
Part of beginning to understand

Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to
The things that you've shown us
The stories you tell
Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit
The men who have served you
So long and so well

Like the dolphin who guides you
You bring us beside you
To light up the darkness and show us the way
For though we are strangers in your silent world
To live on the land we must learn from the sea
To be true as the tide
And free as the wind-swell
Joyful and loving in letting it be

Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to
The things that you've shown us
The stories you tell
Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit
The men who have served you
So long and so well

Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to
The things that you've shown us
The stories you tell
Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit
The men who have served you
So long and so well

Words and music by John Denver

http://www.lyricsandsongs.com/song/182520.html


I also found this info below...

Answer 7

Calypso is the daughter of Thesis, by Oceanus.

Answer 8

I think she was a minor goddess; or demigoddess