Book VI · Episode 3 of 4
Plea and Transformation
Odysseus begs Nausicaä, Athena transforms him
Scenes
- Odysseus’ Supplication — Odysseus begs Nausicaä, who calms maids
- Likens Nausicaä to Artemis and Delos palm
- Recounts twenty days adrift from Ogygia
- Wishes her a happy marriage
- Blames Zeus, pledges clothes and a guide
- Orders maids to feed and bathe him
- Bathing and Transformation — Odysseus bathes, Athena makes him radiant
- Maids leave cloak, tunic, and oil
- Ashamed, he asks the maids to withdraw
- Washes brine from back and shoulders
- Athena curls his hair like hyacinth
- Gleams like gold overlaid on silver