Why does Calypso allow Odysseus to leave her island?
She understands his grief and cannot bear to see him suffer.
Hermes has told her that Zeus has ordered it.
Hermes thinks that Odysseus has spent enough time in exile.
Penelope is growing old and needs his assistance
Yes, b.
To understand why Calypso allows Odysseus to leave her island, we have to look at the epic poem "The Odyssey" by Homer. In this story, Calypso is a nymph who falls in love with Odysseus and keeps him on her island for seven years.
The reason Calypso ultimately allows Odysseus to leave her island is not explicitly stated in the poem. However, we can infer a few reasons based on the events and characters involved:
1. Calypso understands his grief and cannot bear to see him suffer: Odysseus is longing for his homeland, Ithaca, and his wife, Penelope. Calypso, understanding his pain and loneliness, may have recognized that keeping him against his will would not bring true happiness.
2. Hermes has told her that Zeus has ordered it: In the poem, Hermes, the messenger god, is sent by Zeus to deliver a message to Calypso. Zeus, the king of the gods, orders Calypso to let Odysseus go and allow him to continue his journey back to Ithaca. Calypso, as a lesser deity, would generally follow the commands of Zeus.
3. Hermes thinks that Odysseus has spent enough time in exile: When Hermes delivers Zeus's message to Calypso, he also expresses his own opinion that Odysseus has spent a significant amount of time in exile. This implies that there may be a sense of fairness or balance in allowing Odysseus to finally leave.
4. Penelope is growing old and needs his assistance: Penelope, Odysseus's wife, is awaiting his return in Ithaca. As time passes, she is growing older and may be facing challenges in ruling and protecting their kingdom. Calypso may consider the importance of Odysseus's role as a husband and king and realizes that he is needed elsewhere.
So, while there is no single definitive reason why Calypso allows Odysseus to leave her island, these factors suggest a combination of empathy, divine orders, fairness, and a recognition of his responsibilities to his homeland and wife.