One night, on the land of the Phaiakians, the princess and daughter of Alkinoos was peacefully asleep beside her maids when the goddess Athena came to her in her dream in the form of Nausikaa’s dear friend. She urges Nausikaa to go to the shore in the morning and wash her clothes: “Leaving thy clothes uncared for, Nausikaa, / when soon thou must have store of marriage linen” (6. 31-2). She also reminds Nausikaa that she has come to the age of marriageability. When the sun had risen and the morning arrived, Nausikaa wakes and remembers the dream she had last night. She had an extra bit of energy and motivation and proceeded downstairs to tell her parents. She knew that she could not tell her father the full truth in order to receive permission
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Nausikaa excitedly gathered all of her dirty clothes and placed them into the box that stood upon the cart. Her mother packed her some food and also a bottle of olive oil to apply onto her skin after bathing. After finishing the laundry, food and lathering the oil over their bodies, the girls played near the shore. Nausikaa kicked the ball into the water and awoke a rough looking naked man who fetched for an olive branch in attempt to cover himself. This strange man was Odysseus, but the girls were unaware of his identity. So, Odysseus began walking towards them, and all of the girls screamed and ran away as fast as they could from this terrible sight. All except for Nausikaa, who handled this potentially dangerous situation bravely and calmly with the help of Athena. She waited for him to approach, and when he did, he complimented her beauty: “Mistress: please: are you divine, or mortal?” (6. 161). He adds that whoever marries her would be a very lucky man. At this, Nausikaa is flattered and impressed by this man’s words. She learns that this man had been blown to shore by a storm and realizes that he is unlucky, he then asks for her help. Nausikaa debates on whether to help this stranger or not. It is possible that he is cursed by the gods and does not deserve help. While on the other hand, it is custom to help strangers and beggars. She decides to help this man because she sees no evil within him: “We must take care of him. Strangers and beggars / come from Zeus: a small gift, then, is friendly.” (6. 221-2). With that being said, she orders the maids to bring food and drink to him and lead him to bathe, giving him some
Nausikaa excitedly gathered all of her dirty clothes and placed them into the box that stood upon the cart. Her mother packed her some food and also a bottle of olive oil to apply onto her skin after bathing. After finishing the laundry, food and lathering the oil over their bodies, the girls played near the shore. Nausikaa kicked the ball into the water and awoke a rough looking naked man who fetched for an olive branch in attempt to cover himself. This strange man was Odysseus, but the girls were unaware of his identity. So, Odysseus began walking towards them, and all of the girls screamed and ran away as fast as they could from this terrible sight. All except for Nausikaa, who handled this potentially dangerous situation bravely and calmly with the help of Athena. She waited for him to approach, and when he did, he complimented her beauty: “Mistress: please: are you divine, or mortal?” (6. 161). He adds that whoever marries her would be a very lucky man. At this, Nausikaa is flattered and impressed by this man’s words. She learns that this man had been blown to shore by a storm and realizes that he is unlucky, he then asks for her help. Nausikaa debates on whether to help this stranger or not. It is possible that he is cursed by the gods and does not deserve help. While on the other hand, it is custom to help strangers and beggars. She decides to help this man because she sees no evil within him: “We must take care of him. Strangers and beggars / come from Zeus: a small gift, then, is friendly.” (6. 221-2). With that being said, she orders the maids to bring food and drink to him and lead him to bathe, giving him some