In lines 150-97, Odysseus is seen persuading Alkínoös’ daughter, Nausikaa, to assist him. Odysseus uses words of a blessing on her family, words of weariness from his travels, and words of beauty towards Nausikaa. On page 104, lines 185-87, Odysseus uses the words, “ And now the terror of Storm has left me stranded upon this shore- with more blows yet to suffer, I must believe, before the gods relent,” to evoke pity from Nausikaa while subtly hinting that he is known by the gods. By bringing up the gods, I believe Odysseus is trying to implant the idea that if Nausikaa helps him, she will be noticed and looked upon by the gods. The use of the implication of satisfaction from the gods is most effective as the gods mean a lot to the people, more
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Odysseus’s use of compliments was probably the least effective due to the fact that Nausikaa had a bold heart so the flattery he gave fell on closed ears. The one compliment that stood out the most and probably was the most effective was when Odysseus says Nausikaa’s family is blessed on page 103, lines 165-67, “ If you are one of earth’s inhabitants, how blest your father, and your gentle mother, blest all your kin.” Odysseus shows hospitality through this compliment which makes him appear more appealing to Nausikaa as hospitality means a lot to these people. Odysseus then goes on to state that the man who goes on to claim Nausikaa as his bride will be more than blessed with his life. This compliment once again shows Odysseus’s hospitality by him being courteous towards not only Nausikaa, but also to her unknown future husband. The other compliments where Odysseus compares Nausikaa to a Goddess due to her overwhelming beauty or where he refers to her beauty overall don’t seem quite as effective because although he is noticing and pointing out her beauty, it might not work as it would with others because Nausikaa is more straightforward, due to her bold heart, meaning she won’t accept the compliments over petty things such as
Odysseus’s use of compliments was probably the least effective due to the fact that Nausikaa had a bold heart so the flattery he gave fell on closed ears. The one compliment that stood out the most and probably was the most effective was when Odysseus says Nausikaa’s family is blessed on page 103, lines 165-67, “ If you are one of earth’s inhabitants, how blest your father, and your gentle mother, blest all your kin.” Odysseus shows hospitality through this compliment which makes him appear more appealing to Nausikaa as hospitality means a lot to these people. Odysseus then goes on to state that the man who goes on to claim Nausikaa as his bride will be more than blessed with his life. This compliment once again shows Odysseus’s hospitality by him being courteous towards not only Nausikaa, but also to her unknown future husband. The other compliments where Odysseus compares Nausikaa to a Goddess due to her overwhelming beauty or where he refers to her beauty overall don’t seem quite as effective because although he is noticing and pointing out her beauty, it might not work as it would with others because Nausikaa is more straightforward, due to her bold heart, meaning she won’t accept the compliments over petty things such as