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Book 6 Summary Athena appears in the dreams of Nausicaa, Princess of the Phaeacians, as one of her closest friends. She coaxes Nausicaa to visit the river the following day and wash her clothing so that the men courting her will find her more attractive. Nausicaa does as informed and while she and her maids are naked and playing beside the river, Odysseus awakes and encounters them. He himself is naked, but does not reveal his true identity, instead taking the time to clean off of his body the dirt and muck from the ocean. Athena imbues him with exceptional physical appearance and Nausicaabegins to fall in lovewith him upon seeing him once more.
Book 6 Summary, Continued Odysseus initially mistakes Nausicaa for a goddessas a result of her great beauty. Odysseus asks Nausicaa to pityhim, and he quickly relates to her many of the trials he has endured as he has attempted to return home to Ithaca. Nausicaa provides Odysseus with food and wine, and she then informs him that he must approach the palace on his own so as not to draw attention to her bringing a man back with her to the city. She informs him to approach Arete, her mother and the Queen, and gives him instructions on how to do so.
Book 7 Summary On the trip to the palace to meet with the King and Queen of the Phaeacians, Odysseus encounters Athena, in disguise as a young girl. She protects and hides him from the populous and guides him to the Palace. She tells him to ask for help from Arete and not Alcinous, the King, as she is kind and wise and will help him. She then leaves Scheria to return to Athens.
Book 7 Summary, Continued When Odysseus arrives, he finds the palace worshipping Hermesin a festival designed for him. He notes the beauty and excessiveness of the Palace and the King’s celebration. As Odysseus enters, the King himself questions whether or not Odysseus might be a god. However, Odysseus relates that he is indeed a mortal and, with a bit of explaining, is able to describe his situation without revealing his identity and secures a promise of assistancefrom the King and Queen; they will help him return home the following day.
Book 7 Summary, Continued That evening, Aretefinally recognizes Odysseus’ clothing as belonging to her daughter, Nausicaa, and questions him more regarding his identity. He still keeps his name to himself, but relays his story of the journey fromCalypsoto the beaches of Scheria and Nausicaa that morning. Odysseus calmly takes responsibility for arriving at the palace alone and does not give away any of what Nausicaa said or did, eventually impressing Alcinous enough for him to offer herhandto Odysseus in marriage. Alcinous realizes, however, the no man would be able to keep Odysseus there against his will. Before going to bed for the night, Odysseus prays to Zeusthat Alcinous is able to accomplish all he has promisedOdysseus.
Book 8 Summary The next day, Alcinous calls an assembly of his Phaeacian counselors. Athena, back from Athens, ensures attendance by spreading word that the topic of discussion will be the godlike visitor who recently appeared on the island. At the assembly, Alcinousproposes providing a ship for his visitor so that the man can return to his homeland. The measure is approved, and Alcinous invites the counselors to his palacefor a feast and celebration of games in honor of his guest. There, a blind bard named Demodocus sings of the quarrel between Odysseus andAchilles at Troy. Everyone listens with pleasure except Odysseus, who weeps at the painful memories that the story recalls. The king notices Odysseus’grief and ends the feast so that the games can begin.
Book 8 Summary, Continued The games include the standard lineup of boxing, wrestling, racing, and throwing of the discus. At one point, Odysseus is asked to participate. Still overcome by his many hardships, he declines. One of the young athletes, Euryalus (AKA Broadsea), then insults him, which spurs his pride to action. Odysseus easily wins the discus toss and then challengesthe Phaeacian athletes to any other form of competition they choose. The discussion becomes heated, but Alcinous diffuses the situation by insisting that Odysseus join them in another feast, at which the Phaeacian youth entertain him and prove their superiority in songand dance. Demodocus performs again, this time a light song about an encounter between Ares and Aphrodite. Afterward, Alcinous and each of the young Phaeacian men, including Euryalus, give Odysseus gifts to take with him on his journey home.
Book 8 Summary, Continued At dinner that night, Odysseus asks Demodocus to sing of the Trojan horseand the sack of Troy, but as he listens to the accomplished minstrel he again breaks down. King Alcinous again notices and stops the music. He asks Odysseus at last to tell him who he is, where he is from, and where he is going.
