1. Lack of Mutual Consent and Free Will:
* Circe: While she was initially manipulative and held Odysseus captive through magic, he eventually escapes and ultimately decides to leave her. There's a power imbalance that suggests consent was not entirely freely given.
* Calypso: Calypso is explicitly described as holding Odysseus captive on her island. He's not there willingly and ultimately longs for home and his wife, Penelope.
2. Lack of True Emotional Connection:
* Circe: Their relationship is primarily based on physical attraction and a brief shared experience. Odysseus is primarily concerned with escaping her island and getting back to his wife.
* Calypso: While Calypso claims love for Odysseus, her actions are more controlling and possessive. She offers him immortality, but she also prevents him from returning to his family. He expresses longing for home and Penelope, not love for Calypso.
3. Contrasting with Odysseus' Love for Penelope:
* Penelope: Odysseus's unwavering loyalty and yearning for Penelope throughout his ten-year journey is the defining aspect of his character. This love story is based on deep connection, shared history, and unwavering fidelity, which stands in stark contrast to his fleeting affairs with Circe and Calypso.
4. Thematic Significance in the Epic:
* Odyssey's Journey: Odysseus's trials are meant to test his strength, cunning, and ultimately, his loyalty to his family and home. His relationships with Circe and Calypso, while alluring and seductive, are ultimately distractions from his true purpose and distract him from returning to his family.
In summary: Odysseus's relationships with Circe and Calypso, while significant in the narrative, are not considered "true love" in the traditional sense. They lack mutual consent, deep emotional connection, and ultimately pale in comparison to the powerful love story between Odysseus and Penelope.