In Greek mythology, women were commonly looked down upon and viewed as weak and unintelligent. For this reason, it is unusual that Homer's The Odyssey demonstrates many interactions Odysseus has with females. Women like Calypso, Circe and the Sirens are seen throughout the epic as objects of beauty, and use their sexuality against Odysseus. On the other hand, females like Penelope, Athena, and Queen Arete are seen more as powerful and clever. The epic defies our expectation of women. Through female characters in The Odyssey, Homer suggests that women are intelligent and strong, and uses many of their facets to help or delay Odysseus' journey to his home, Ithaca. .
Seductress and manipulation are facets seen through the epic, specifically on Calypso. One example is the moment in where Odysseus is imprisoned in Calypso's island for seven years. Once she is told by Hermes that Zeus wants her to free Odysseus, she gets filled with anger and says, "You unrivaled lords of jealously- scandalized when goddesses sleep with mortals, openly, even when one has made the man her husband" (Book V, pg.81). At this point, it is noticeable that Calypso does have feelings for Odysseus. Everyday Odysseus would sit at the rock and whip for his return. Odysseus' main desire was to go back home to his wife, however "[i]n the nights, true, he'd sleep with her in the arching cave" (Book V, pg. 82). He was attracted to Calypso's beauty. This could also be seen when he is about to leave and tells Calypso, "Look at my wise Penelope. She falls far short of you, your beauty, stature" (Book V, pg. 84). Calypso's ability to impede Odysseus' voyage to Ithaca signifies her use of manipulation and beauty in order to create danger for him. In the same way, beauty awareness as well as trickery can be perceived when Odysseus and his crew reached the island of Aeaean, home of the goddess Circe. While his crew was sent to explore Circe's palace, they "heard her singing, lifting her spellbinding voice as she glided back and forth at her great immortal loom, her enchanting web a shimmering glory only goddesses can weave" (Book X, pg.
