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The appearance of many goddesses in The Odyssey by Homer exemplifies the fact that they are essential to Odysseus’ journey. They each play a different role, helping Odysseus in one way or the other, corresponding with his needs at that point in the voyage. Goddesses have been a constant in Greek literature and art, assisting in the essence of Greek culture. The Odyssey mentions many gods and goddesses, all of whom are involved with Odysseus’ journey. The Odyssey begins with a meeting of the gods and goddesses who are trying to decide upon the fate of Odysseus. From this we can infer the importance the divine play on mortal lives, namely he protagonist himself. Some, however, are more involved in the journey than others. The three most prominent goddesses are Circe, Calypso, and Athena. These three change Odysseus in ways he could never expect, weaving his fate into the epic that is The Odyssey. Calypso is one of Odysseus’ lovers. She falls in love with him and holds him captive on her island, Ogygia, for seven of the ten years of his journey home, while at the same time protecting him from Poseidon’s fury. At the beginning of Book 5, Calypso speaks at Hermes about the double standard regarding goddesses and