Who holds Odysseus captive for seven years?

As an expert in the field of classical literature, I can provide a detailed response to your question about the character Odysseus from the epic poem, "The Odyssey" by the ancient Greek poet Homer. The Odyssey is a sequel to Homer's "The Iliad," and it follows the hero Odysseus as he attempts to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The poem is renowned for its themes of heroism, adventure, and the human condition, as well as its exploration of the divine and the supernatural.
The character who holds Odysseus captive for seven years is Calypso, a nymph of divine origin. Calypso is often described as a daughter of the Titan Atlas, which places her among the more powerful and ancient beings in Greek mythology. She resides on the remote island of Ogygia, which is depicted as a place of great beauty and isolation.
Odysseus is washed ashore on Ogygia after his ship and crew are destroyed by a storm, leaving him the sole survivor. Upon arriving on the island, he is found by Calypso, who is immediately captivated by the mortal man. She offers him shelter and sustenance, but her intentions are not purely altruistic. Calypso desires Odysseus for herself and, using her divine powers, compels him to stay with her on the island as her husband.
During the seven years that Odysseus is held captive, he lives in a state of forced idleness and longing for his homeland and family. Despite the comforts and pleasures that Calypso provides, Odysseus is consumed by a deep sense of homesickness and a desire to fulfill his destiny as a king and a husband. His situation is further complicated by the fact that Calypso is immortal, and any union with her would prevent him from returning to his mortal life.
The turning point in Odysseus's captivity comes when the goddess Athena, who is a staunch ally of Odysseus, intervenes. Athena pleads with Zeus, the king of the gods, to consider the plight of the hero. Moved by her words, Zeus sends the messenger god Hermes to Ogygia to command Calypso to release Odysseus. Reluctantly, Calypso complies, and she provides Odysseus with the means to build a raft to leave the island.
The story of Odysseus's time with Calypso is a significant part of "The Odyssey" because it highlights the hero's unwavering commitment to his home and his sense of duty. It also serves to illustrate the complexities of the relationships between mortals and immortals in Greek mythology, as well as the power dynamics that often come into play.
In conclusion, the character who holds Odysseus captive for seven years is Calypso, a nymph with divine powers who resides on the island of Ogygia. Her actions, while driven by love and desire, ultimately lead to Odysseus's prolonged absence from his home and family. The intervention of Athena and the subsequent release of Odysseus set the stage for the latter part of his epic journey, which is filled with trials, tribulations, and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

Odysseus is later washed ashore as the only surviving member of his crew to the island of Ogygia, where Calypso lived. Calypso holds Odysseus on the island and keeps him as her husband for seven years until Athena reminds Zeus of the situation.