In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, the Trojan War has just ended and Odysseus and his crew are getting ready to return home. Back at home, people are convinced that Odysseus is dead but his son, Telemachus, goes out in search for him with the encouragement of Athena. Odysseus runs into many "obstacles" on his way home but when he gets home to Ithaca, Telemachus helps him "overcome" the suitors who are going after his wife, Penelope, and regain his power.

One of the obstacles that Odysseus runs into is the nymph, Calypso. Calypso wants Odysseus to stay on the island with her. He stays because of Calypso's enchantment but then after seven years, Hermes ordered her to release him and she does saying:

"Good luck to you, even so. Farewell!But if you only knew, down deep, what pains/are fated to fill your cup...