The Odyssey, Ep. 3: Calypso

About this episode

The episode discusses Odysseus's journey back to Ithaca and his encounters with Calypso and other challenges.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the choice that Odysseus makes to begin his journey back to Ithaca before introducing a lecture from Dr. Benedict Whalen. Calypso had held Odysseus captive for nine years on her island but now sets him free. He is shipwrecked again on the island of the Phaeacians. The Odyssey  tells the tale of the cunning and crafty hero of the Trojan War on his journey home. After ten years of war, Odysseus faces another ten years of fantastic temptations, deadly monsters, treacherous seas, and impious men. Meanwhile, Ithaca is threatened by suitors who plague his wife and plunder his wealth. When Odysseus reaches home, he must slay the suitors, test the loyalty of his friends and family, and restore order to his marriage and his kingdom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Jeremiah

Guest: Juan

Topics covered

• Odyssey
• Calypso
• Odysseus
• Greek mythology
• hero's journey
• Ithaca
• suitors

Keywords

• Odyssey
• Calypso
• Odysseus
• Ithaca
• Greek mythology
• suitors
• journey
• Trojan War

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Odyssey

Places: Ithaca, island of the Phaeacians

More episodes of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

• The Odyssey, Ep. 8: Return to Ithaca · September 9, 2026 · 26 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 7: Death and Woe · September 2, 2026 · 32 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 6: Circe · August 26, 2026 · 25 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 5: The Cyclops · August 19, 2026 · 34 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 4: The Kingdom of Phaeacia · August 12, 2026 · 25 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 2: Rumors of Odysseus · July 29, 2026 · 29 min