Book 6 summary

Question 1

What does Athena do whilst Odysseus sleeps?

Answer 1

She flies to a Phaeacian city where the princess Nausicaa, daughter of the king Alcinous sleeps

Question 2

What does Athena say to Nausicaa, and as who?

Answer 2

• She disguises herself as a girl the princess’ age
• She scolds the princess for the poor condition of her clothes, and suggests that they go to the shore to wash them

Question 3

What do Nausicaa and her family do in the morning?

Answer 3

• The King gives Nausicaa a wagon and a team of mules
• The queen gives her a lunch and some olive oil for applying after bathing
• Nausicaa goes with her maids to the beach where Odysseus lies sleeping

Question 4

What does Nausicaa do whilst at the beach?

Answer 4

Her and her maids wash the clothes, bathe and oil themselves.

As they wait for their clothes to dry they play games in the sun

Question 5

What do the girls games cause?

Answer 5

By Athena’s design, their play wakes Odysseus

Question 6

What does Odysseus do when he wakes up?

Answer 6

• He’s a little apprehensive, but he walks out towards them, shielding himself with leaves
• All the girls except Nausicaa run away at the sight of him

Question 7

What does Odysseus say when he sees Nausicaa?

Answer 7

• He stands at a respectful distance, compliments her beauty and begs her for help

Question 8

How does Nausicaa respond to Odysseus’ plea for help?

Answer 8

• She says that Zeus must have destined him for pain, but agrees to lead him to town, because it is customary to be friendly to strangers and beggars

Question 9

What does Odysseus do before going to the town?

Answer 9

He bathes, oils and clothes himself, and Athena makes him very beautiful

• The girls are amazed at his transformation and give him food and drink

Question 10

How does Nausicaa decided to help Odysseus?

Answer 10

• She changes her mind on letting Odysseus ride into town with her, but on second thoughts asks him to enter the town alone, to avoid giving the townspeople cause for gossip.

Question 11

What does Nausicaa instruct Odysseus to do?

Answer 11

• She tells him to turn into a grove near her father’s estate and wait for the girls to reach town
• Then, he should walk into the palace, find the king and queen, and beg the queen for mercy

Question 12

What does Odysseus do whilst he waits to enter the town?

Answer 12

-He prays for Athena’s protection

• She hears his prayers, but is too frightened of Poseidon to appear to Odysseus undisguised