Calypso and Journey to Scherie

Question 1

2 Read the following passage from The Odyssey and answer the questions which follow:

Odysseus talks about his stay with Calypso.

In the blackness of the tenth night the gods washed me ashore on Ogygia, the home of Calypso, that formidable goddess with the beautiful locks. She took me in and looked after me with loving care. She offered me immortality and eternal youth. But never for a moment did she win my heart. Seven whole years I stayed, soaking with my tears the imperishable clothes Calypso gave me.
‘But at last, when the eighth came round in its course, she urged me to be gone, either in obedience to a message from Zeus or because her own feelings had changed.’

Homer, The Odyssey Book 7 (252-263)

(a) What impression do you get of Calypso in this passage? Give reasons for your views and support them with details from the passage.

Answer 1

2a) There were some fine answers to this question, although weaker responses tended to simply state Calypso was beautiful, formidable and obedient, quoting some of the relevant lines. Candidates should always try to dig deeper to find some more subtle ideas to access the highest marks. Virtually all referred to her kindness and love, with many commenting on her selfishness. The final line of the passage was interpreted in various ways, with many saying that she had tired of Odysseus in urging him to be gone.

Could also include:

• Particularly affectionate towards Odysseus: offered immortality- be together forever
• Not that powerful- had to be obedient to Zeus

Blame the annoying mark scheme for being really VAGUE

Question 2

(b) What help does Calypso give Odysseus?

Answer 2

2b) This question provided some fine responses, but many answers could have been more precise. Whilst credit was given for knowing that Calypso rescued Odysseus from the storm, answers which stated that she fed and kept him for seven years were not credited. as examiners felt this did not help him in what he wanted to do. Most knew that she allowed him to build a raft, but candidates must be made more wary of making vague statements like “she helped him to build a raft” which might imply she helped more than she actually did. Many candidates were a little to general in their comments, such as stating that she gave him food, drink and tools to make a raft. A thorough answer should give some indication of what precisely he was given. Some did do this, but the majority did not. The cloth and sailing by the stars were rarely apparent in answers.

Could also include:

• lent axe of bronze with olive wood handle, adze of polished metal, and boring tools
• showed where good raft-building trees (tall, and dry so buoyant) were: alders, poplars, firs
• 1 leather sack of grain and meats
• 1 skin of water and a smaller one of wine
• gave him sweet-smelling clothes
• Summoned a warm and gentle breeze to blow Odysseus towards Scherie
• told him to keep the Great Bear/ Wain on his left (directions)

Question 3

(c) Explain how Odysseus survived the storm sent by Poseidon and was washed up on the shores of the land of the Phaeacians.

Answer 3

2c) This answer was generally well done, although many candidates spent too long describing the outbreak of the storm before the appearance of Ino. Ino’s veil (which was often called a belt, scarf, shawl, cloak and all manner of garments) was well discussed, even if some candidates thought Athene gave it. Many candidates did not mention the fact that he had to remove his own clothes and throw the veil away at the end to ensure survival. The weakest responses could offer nothing more Ino’s help, whilst many did not fully recall Athene’s help and Odysseus’ own actions. It was pleasing to note candidates’ attempting to evaluate, by talking about Odysseus’ intelligence in his actions, or that he survived by divine help.

Could also include:

• Ino instructed Odysseus to abandon his raft (which he eventually had to, so maybe not?)
• Odysseus used his own bia to swim for 2 days to Scherie
• Once Poseidon left Athene:
  - stopped the storm
  - flattened the waves
  - called on the North wind to blow Odysseus towards Scherie
  - inspired Odysseus to grab onto a rock so that he was not pulled back out to sea
• Odysseus used own metis to pray for the help of river god
• river god helped Odysseus by making the river flow inland, so that Odysseus could swim along it.