The Odyssey Book Six

Athene disguised as Dymas, one of Nausicaa’s friends, comes in a dream to Nausicaa, the beautiful daughter of King Alcinos. She tells her to go to the washing pools outside the city the following morning to clean her robes and bright dresses. She is to ask her father for transport wagons and mules. Athena then disappears. Having procured mules and wagons from her father, the young maiden sets off to wash the linens and fine clothes she had piled up. When the girls get to the pool they begin to wash the clothes, in-between they stop to play and eat. The girls, who are playing awaken Odysseus, he is lying nearby.

Book Six Disorientated, Odysseus gets up and breaks off some branches to cover his nudity. When the girls see him they run away, only Nausicaa stands her ground. Odysseus tells the girl about his 19- day ordeal on the seas and asks to be directed towards the city. Nausicaa tells Odysseus who she is and where he has landed. He also asks her for some “rags” to dress himself. She orders the other girls to give the stranger food, drink and to bath him.

Book Six The hero then washes himself and dresses himself. Athena makes him look resplendent. Nausicaa brings Odysseus to the city to meet the king and nobles. We discover that the Phaeacians are sea-faring people. To avoid gossip, Nausicaa asks the hero not to accompany her into the city, but to wait outside for a while. People would only start talking about her associations with a man, a stranger, before she is married.

Book Six She directs him to a place where there is a poplar tree with a spring nearby. Later on he is told to go to King Alcinos’ palace and to approach her mother, Queen Arete. He is to clasp her knees in supplication, and beg for her mercy and help. If he does this he is sure not to be ignored.

Book Six: Important Points Note the modesty of Odysseus, who does not want to be seen naked in front of the girls. The young Nausicaa is not only beautiful but also courageous and courteous to the stranger. We also know she is to be married. Note Odysseus’ tact and intelligence. His interaction with Nausicaa is a lesson in tact and cleverness. It takes him little time to win over the girl’s confidence and she graciously helps the hero.

Book Six: Important Points Nausicaa also shows cleverness and forethought in giving Odysseus advice. Had both of them being seen together, loose gossip would be likely, thus damaging the young girl’s reputation. Odysseus seeks the hospitality of the Phaeacians on the island of Scheria – his treatment by these people is a shining example of Xenia, traditional Greek hospitality. His stay among the Phaeacians is an exemplar of this theme.

Book Six Reading Read the following passage:

Book Six Questions 1. Describe Odysseus’ encounter with Nausicaa and explain how she helps him.