Book VI · Episode 4 of 4

Journey to the City

Nausicaä guides Odysseus, who prays unseen

Scenes

1. Nausicaä’s Admiration — Nausicaä admires, wishes for such a husband
   • Now resembles one of the immortals
   • Bids maids bring food and wine
   • Maids obey her at once
   • Famished Odysseus eats and drinks eagerly
2. Instructions for the City — Nausicaä tells him to clasp mother’s knees
   • Follow maidens, then fall back near town
   • Avoids gossip about a strange suitor
   • Wait in grove sacred to Athena
   • Mother’s goodwill can speed his voyage
   • They reach the grove by sunset
3. Prayer to Athena — Odysseus prays, Athena stays unseen
   • Calls Athena unconquerable daughter of Zeus
   • Reproaches her for not heeding him
   • Recalls the shaker of shores wrecking him
   • Begs pity and kindness from Phaeacians
   • Fears her father’s brother’s enduring hatred