1. Homer’s Odyssey
Book 6

2. Religious beliefs
How does Athene visit Nausicaa, the Phaeacian princess and daughter of Alcinous and Areté? What does this tell us about Greek beliefs?
Why does Athene want her to go to the river?
How else does Athene intervene in the exchange between Nausicaa and Odysseus? Give 3 ways
Where does Odysseus wait at the end of the book before entering Phaeacia? What is the symbolism of this?
Explain this quote: “Pallas Athene heard his prayer but still refrained from appearing before him, out of deference to her father’s brother Poseidon…”
Nausicaa says: “we must look after him, since all strangers and beggars come under the protection of Zeus..” – explain this quote…

4. Coming of age (relationships and roles)
Can you think of three similarities between Telemachus and Nausicaa in how they are treated by Athene and how this affects them?
Coming of age for a male = taking leadership of his household/ oikos – for a female = preparing to leave her household and join/ run the household/ oikos of her husband
What is Nausicaa’s mother doing in the hall when Nausicaa goes to ask to wash the clothes? What does Nausicaa pretend she is concerned about to her parents and are they convinced?
How does Nausicaa stand out from her maids at the river? Give three ways. These qualities show her nobility of birth and character

7. Coming of age (relationships and roles)
Explain this quote from Nausicaa: “I wish I could have a man like him for my husband…”
Give three ways Nausicaa is the ideal host – this will add to her reputation (kleos)
Give one way she seeks to protect her reputation
“Now, it is their unpleasant gossip I wish to avoid. I am afraid they may give me a bad name…”

8. Homeric Heroism
For what reason did Nausicaa’s people flee their old homeland? This will affect their response to Odysseus as a hero later?
Odysseus’ areté is at speaking – how does he carefully manipulate the young princess to ensure she will not run away and refuse him help?
“And may the gods grant you your heart’s desire, may they give you a husband and a home…” - what does this line seek to do? How is he manipulating her?
What prayer does Odysseus make at the end of the book? How does his behaviour towards the gods make him deserving of their favour as a hero?