Download Book Six - Ms Faughnan`s Notes

The Odyssey
Book Six
Book Six
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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 19day 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.
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
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.