Odyssey Study Guide Contents
The Phaeacians once lived in Hyperia, but it was too close to the Cyclops, so their king led them away to Scheria. Their current king is Alcinous whose daughter is Nausicaa. Nausicaa is asleep when Athena visits her in disguise to suggest that she go down to the river the next morning, with her attendants, to wash clothing and help her find a fine husband. The next morning Nausicaa has little trouble persuading her parents to lend her the wagon, and give her food, wine, dirty clothing to launder, and oil to work into their bodies after their immersion.Nausicaa Leads the Attendants to the Washing Pool
The party goes down to the washing pool where they put the garments in the bubbling water, stomp on them to remove dirt, and then lay them out on the pebbly beach to dry. They eat and toss around a ball to pass time while the clothing dries. Nausicaa is about to fold and put away the clothing when Odysseus is awakened by the noises. He wonders where he has landed.
Odysseus Startles the Washing Party
Grabbing an olive branch to hide his private parts, he walks out, caked in brine and looking a fright. The attendants scatter at sight of him, but Nausicaa remains. Odysseus speculates that she might be a goddess, perhaps Artemis. He then explains that he had been at sea for 20 days, troubled by the god Poseidon, and had only just left the sea yesterday. He asks Nausicaa for some clothing and directions to town.Nausicaa says that Zeus hands out fortunes as he sees fit. Since the stranger has reached her land, and she is the daughter of the king, she won't let him go without clothes. She tells her attendants not to be afraid. The gods love Phaeacia too much to do it harm. She tells them to bathe the stranger in the river. They give him clothing and the oil flask. He asks them to go away so he can bathe.
Once cleansed, Odysseus looks godlike. Nausicaa says she wants someone like him for her husband. She tells the attendants to give him food and drink.
Heading Back to the Palace
Then Nausicaa packs up the wagon and tells Odysseus to follow behind. To prevent scandal, she tells Odysseus to stop at a grove that is sacred to Athena. He is to wait until she has a chance to get into the palace. Only then should he come out. He should then enter the city, find the palace, and search Nausicaa's mother because if Nausicaa's mother likes him, all will go well and he'll be able to get what he needs to go home again.
They set off, reaching the grove at dusk.
Book V Summary|Book VII
Read a Public Domain translation of Odyssey Book VI.Next: Major Characters in Book VI, Notes on Book VI, Quiz on Book VI
