Odyssey Book 6: Odysseus and Nausicaa

Odysseus and Nausicaa

• Odysseus was cast upon the land of Phaeacia after being shipwrecked.
• The Phaeacians were well-known sailors.
• They became wealthy through trade.
• Athena went to the city of the Phaeacians while Odysseus was sleeping.
• She visited the palace of Alcinous, the king.

Nausicaa's Dream

• Athena appeared to Nausicaa, sleeping in the palace, as one of her comrades.
• Athena told Nausicaa to prepare for her marriage day, which was quickly approaching.
• She instructed her to wash all of her clothes, promising to assist her in her dream.
• She advised her to ask her father for a wagon and mules to transport the garments to the river.
• Nausicaa remembered her dream upon waking.
• Nausicaa found Alcinous as he was about to join an assembly of Phaeacians.
• Nausicaa requested a big wagon to wash their dirty clothes in the river, mentioning that her father and brothers should have clean clothes for meetings and dances.

Washing Clothes

• Nausicaa did not mention her own wedding to Alcinous
• Alcinous allows Nausicaa to use a wagon.
• Nausicaa gathered her handmaidens and the soiled garments of the household.
• Her mother added a basket of food, a skin of wine, and a jar of olive oil for bathing in the river.
• Nausicaa navigated to the riverbank
• The girls washed the garments by foot in the stream.
• When the garments were finished, they were left to try on the pebbles
• Nausicaa and her companions bathed in the river before eating their meal.

Meeting Odysseus

• Nausicaa and her companions played with a ball while the garments dried
• The princess threw the ball into the river and woke the sleeping Odysseus
• Odysseus was sleeping under two olive trees
• Odysseus approached the girls to beg for help
• The girls get frightened and run leaving only Nausicaa due to Athena giving her courage
• Odysseus asks Nausicaa if she is a goddess or mortal, comparing her to Artemis, daughter of Zeus, if she is a goddess.
• Odysseus says he is a man of woes washed up on this coast after 20 days
• He asks for show him the way to the town
• Nausicaa assures him he will be taken care of.

Assistance and Guidance

• Nausicaa says strangers are under Zeus's protection
• She commands them to give Odysseus food, drink and a place to wash
• Odysseus bathes, rubs himself with oil, and puts on the garment provided.
• Nausicaa tells her handmaidens that he now looks noble.
• Nausicaa said to stay near the wagon in the fields towards the city
• However, Nausicaa tells Odysseus to go to her father's house after they enter the city to avoid gossip, recommending asking for her father Alcinous' house.
• Alcinous' house can be pointed out by even a child.
• Nausicaa then tells Odysseus to go across the inner courtyard to her mother weaving, bypass her father drinking wine to bow at her knees asking for aid to return safely to his home.
• Nausicaa calls to mules and wagon sets off, with Odysseus walking behind
• As they reached the city, they approached a Athena grove
• While Nausicaa and her maiden went on, Odysseus waited in the grove, praying to Athena for an audience with the king.

Reception at the Palace

• Odysseus leaves Athena grove after Nausicaa had arrived at her fathers house
• He reaches Alcinous palace
• The palace has doors made of gold, silver, and bronze.
• Odysseus passes the leading men of Phaeacia sitting with the king in the great hall.
• Odysseus kneels before Queen Arete, following Nausicaa's advice.
• Odysseus begs Arete so he can return home because he has been far too long away from home and friends.
• Odysseus sat in the ashes by the hearth.
• The nobles are quiet and marvel.
• The oldest noble recommends offering food and drink.
• Alcinous raises Odysseus from the ashes, offering his chair
• Odysseus is cleaned up with wine and food at the table.
• Alcinous announces they will consider the strangers request to be taken home
• The nobles disperse for the night
• Alone with the king and queen, Arete recognizes the mantle worn by Odysseus.

The Queen's Recognition

• Arete made the mantle he wore by Odysseus
• The king questions Odysseus on where he is from and who gave him those clothes
• Odysseus tells of his raft journey, shipwreck, and Nausicaa's help.
• Odysseus claims he slept among leaves and was greeted in the morning by Nausicaa and her friends who then had gave him these garments.
• Alcinous expressed that it was strange Nausicaa didn’t bring Odysseus straight to the palace
• Odysseus says not to blame her

Assurances and Hospitality

• Odysseus tells the king do no blame his daughter because he came alone so as not to cause any disrespect.
• Alcinous is understanding and asks Odysseus to stay if he wishes, offering a ship regardless.
• Alcinous adds that the Phaeacians are unmatched seamen

The Assembly and Feast

• Alcinous announces to the assembly that the stranger wishes transport safely to his home
• The king wants to provide passage as they have in the past
• Alcinous commands they arrange a ship and for 52 youths should join.
• As the blind minstrel Demodocus arrives, his songs will make the feast glad
• Demodocus good gift of song came with an evil fortune of lack of sight
• Demodocus is seated one seat inlaid with silver
• Demodocus hangs his lyre on the pillar beside his seat.
• Demodocus sang deeds of Achilles and Odysseus,

Odysseus's Reaction

• Odysseus hears the minstrel's words, and hides his face with his cloak due to the tears
• Only Alcinous notices.

Games and Competition

• After the feast, Alcinous suggests games and sports for Odysseus which will display the prowess of their young men.
• The games included a foot race, wrestling, boxing, leaping, and weight throwing.
• Laodamas, Alcinous' son invites Odysseus to participate
• Odysseus declines which prompts Euryalus to mock Odysseus's athletic ability.

Odysseus's Display of Strength

• Odysseus displays anger at Euryalus
• Odysseus threw a heavy disk of iron.
• Odysseus asks let anyone match his throw or any competition but excludes competing against the son of Alcinous
• No-one took his challenge
• Instead King Alcinous wants to display games in which they are most skilled to take away some of the shame

Phaeacian Talents and Gifts

• Alcinous says Phaeacians are skilled at running, dancing and pulling
• He calls to the nimble dancers, marveling
• The King commends the stranger’s wisdom and strength, proposing gifts to remember his stay in Phaeacia.
• Euryalus offers a sword of bronze with a silver hilt and ivory sheath, apologizing for his rudeness.
• Odysseus thanks Euryalus and wishes him luck.
• twelve princes also gave gifts to Odysseus.
• Arete gave Odysseus a chest with fine clothing.
• King Alcinous gave him a beautiful cup made of gold.

Farewell and Departure Preparation

• A bath was prepared in the palace for Odysseus
• Odysseus donned elegant clothing from his gifts.
• Nausicaa bids farewell, asking to be remembered.
• Odysseus says he will always remember her and that she saved his life.
• Odysseus is seated with the king for supper where he is given boar meat.
• Odysseus offers Demodocus the best portion of his meat as well
• Odysseus praises Demodocus and asks him to sing of the Wooden Horse.

Demodocus's Song and Odysseus's Emotion

• Demodocus sang how the Wooden Horse was made and the Greeks destruction of Troy from within via Odysseus
• Odysseus is overcome with tears.
• Alcinous stops the song due to Odysseus’ distress.

Revelation and Departure

• Alcinous asks Odysseus to reveal his name and origin, curious about his reaction to the Trojan War.
• Alcinous asks about family in the Troy war
• Odysseus reveals his identity: Odysseus, son of Laertes, from Ithaca, a rugged isle.
• Odysseus begins the tale of his adventures keeping his listeners hooked until the night.