In Homers poem the Odyssey, we are introduced to Odysseus in book VI. We first see Odysseus as a naked, dirty, and fatigued man, longing to return back to his own land. Contrary to what we believe Odysseus should look when we think about the heroic Trojan warrior. Odysseus finds himself pleading with the phaeatian princess Nausikaa to direct him into town so he may seek help from the king and queen to return home. Odysseus’ speech to Nausikaa attempts to show his worthiness of her help. Despite Odysseus’ appearance he ultimately wins the service of Nausikaa through his use of chivalry, his incentive for a reward that she will receive if she helps him, and his ability to show her that is not a threat.
The first request Odysseus asks from Nausikaa …show more content…
However, the sight of him causes everyone else to run in fear. Although this courageous act of Nausikaa was influenced by Athena, you can assume that she is a brave woman. In addition, Odysseus continuously showers Nausikaa with compliments about her divine beauty. He supports this by telling her that he has never seen such beauty in anyone else before. He says, “Never have I laid eyes on equal beauty in man or woman, I am hushed indeed” By being courteous and flattering her with compliments he successfully convinces Nausikaa to listen so he may ask for her help. He then goes on to tell Nausikaa about his tragic hardships he has dealt with. He says, “And yet my case in desperate, / twenty days, yesterday, in the wine-dark sea, / on the ever-lunging swell, under the gale winds, getting away from the island of Ogygia” (XI 181-184). Odysseus gives her personal insight into what he has dealt with so that Nausikaa will feel sympathy for him. In addition, he also explains how he is in a predicament and if he does not get help from her, he will face more sufferings. He says, “And now the terror of the storm has left me stranded / upon this shore-with more blows yet to suffer, / I must believe, before the gods relent” (XI 185-187). Again, Odysseus wants her to see him as a man who has suffered tremendously. He needs Nausikaa to feel pity for him and to believe if she helps him, she will be easing the burdens he still has to
The first request Odysseus asks from Nausikaa …show more content…
However, the sight of him causes everyone else to run in fear. Although this courageous act of Nausikaa was influenced by Athena, you can assume that she is a brave woman. In addition, Odysseus continuously showers Nausikaa with compliments about her divine beauty. He supports this by telling her that he has never seen such beauty in anyone else before. He says, “Never have I laid eyes on equal beauty in man or woman, I am hushed indeed” By being courteous and flattering her with compliments he successfully convinces Nausikaa to listen so he may ask for her help. He then goes on to tell Nausikaa about his tragic hardships he has dealt with. He says, “And yet my case in desperate, / twenty days, yesterday, in the wine-dark sea, / on the ever-lunging swell, under the gale winds, getting away from the island of Ogygia” (XI 181-184). Odysseus gives her personal insight into what he has dealt with so that Nausikaa will feel sympathy for him. In addition, he also explains how he is in a predicament and if he does not get help from her, he will face more sufferings. He says, “And now the terror of the storm has left me stranded / upon this shore-with more blows yet to suffer, / I must believe, before the gods relent” (XI 185-187). Again, Odysseus wants her to see him as a man who has suffered tremendously. He needs Nausikaa to feel pity for him and to believe if she helps him, she will be easing the burdens he still has to