Book XI · Episode 3 of 6
The Phaeacian Court
Gifts granted, Alcinoüs seeks the tale
Scenes
- Arete’s Praise — Arete urges gifts for guest
- The hall sits motionless, still spellbound
- Arete speaks first among the Phaeacians
- She asks them to judge his bearing
- Honor of hosting belongs to all
- Their wealth is enough to spare
- Phaeacian Counsel — Alcinoüs grants gifts, extra night
- Echeneus is the oldest Phaeacian
- He says Arete spoke wisely
- The final word rests with Alcinoüs
- Gifts must be gathered in full
- Sending him home is chiefly his duty
- Odysseus Continues — Alcinoüs asks about dead comrades
- Even a year’s stay would please him
- Alcinoüs suspects no falsehood in him
- He praises the grace of storytelling
- Time exists for talk and for sleep
- Some died later by a woman’s treachery