Calypso In Exile

Drama in 3 Acts

“Calypso In Exile” begins with the death of Poseidon under whose rule Atlantis has grown into a powerful trading nation with colonies on each side of the Atlantic. Poseidon’s first son, Atlas, inherits the empire which is divided into regions each ruled over by the remaining nine sons. Atlas feels weighed down under the burden of rule, and is particularly annoyed by the behaviour of his daughters. The ceremony for the divination of Poseidon is noisily interrupted by Calypso and her female companions who have been hustling in the harbour at Cercenes. Calypso insults her grandfather claiming he suppressed the true religion of Atlantis, now condemned as witchcraft. Furious, Atlas banishes both Calypso and Circe from Atlantis. Ulysses visits the island of Ogygia to which Calypso has been banished, he having recently escaped from Circe’s clutches at her island. Ulysses and Calypso instantly fall in love causing Ulysses to abandon his travels and remain with her. Meanwhile Circe makes an alliance with Medusa of the Gorgons, and Sara of the Amazons, whose North African homelands around Lake Tritonis are being ravaged by raiding parties. They plot to make an ally of Zeus who they know to be now in competition with Atlas, and may wish to join them in an invasion of Atlantis. Calypso has refused to join with them and Ulysses offers to sail with her to Atlantis to inform Atlas of the plot and, in so doing, persuade him to lift her banishment order. A violent storm at sea causes the invasion fleet to founder. A handful of sailors survive to make land at Atlantis where they report on the appearance of strange apparitions and omens accompanying the deaths of Zeus, Ares, Circe, Medusa and Sara. Ulysses reluctantly tells Calypso he must leave her to return to his home. Atlas comforts Calypso, offering his forgiveness, support and bids her join a ceremony of thanksgiving to the Gods for saving Atlantis, now at the peak of its power and glory.