Book 7

Question 1

What does Nausicaa do at the start of book 7?

Answer 1

She returns to the palace and retires to her quarters.

Question 2

What do her brothers do after Nausicaa returns home?

Answer 2

Her brothers unyoked the mules and carrying the washing indoors

Question 3

What happens to Odysseus after this?

Answer 3

He is surrounded by a mist from Athena, to stop any Phaeacian insulting him and she appears in disguise to show him to the palace.

Question 4

What does Athena warn Odysseus about?

Answer 4

The Phaeacian’s hostility to strangers and their love of sailing.

Question 5

What does Odysseus feel about the city?

Answer 5

He admires it

Question 6

Where does Odysseus then get to on his journey to Arete?

Answer 6

He reaches the entrance to the palace

Question 7

What does Athena tell him when he gets to the palace?

Answer 7

She tells him of Arete and Alcinious’ background

Question 8

What does Athena repeat about Arete?

Answer 8

The importance of winning Arete’s sympathy in his supplication.

Question 9

What quality of Arete’s does Athena talk about to Odysseus?

Answer 9

How she is honoured, wise and settles men’s disputes.

Question 10

What is described next?

Answer 10

The palace, as well as the servant’s industry and skill, the women’s weaving work is emphasised.
The orchard and vineyard of the palace are described in detail.

Question 11

What terms is the palace and gardens described in?

Answer 11

Utopian terms

Question 12

What does Odysseus do once he enters into the palace?

Answer 12

He makes for Arete’s knees

Question 13

What happens to Odysseus as he clasps her knees?

Answer 13

The magical mist dissolves and everyone is silent.

Question 14

What does Odysseus do after the mist dissolves?

Answer 14

He makes his supplication to Arete, taking care to include Alcinous’ name in the petition

Question 15

What happens after his petition?

Answer 15

It is met by further silence, until Echeneus breaks it.

Question 16

What does Echeneus urge Alcinous to do?

Answer 16

To offer xenia

Question 17

What does Alcinous order?

Answer 17

He orders that Odysseus be washed and fed and that libations be poured to Zeus, patron of suppliants

Question 18

What does Alcinous announce after Odysseus is washed and fed?

Answer 18

That he will be sent home safely

Question 19

What does Alcinous wonder about Odysseus?

Answer 19

He wonders if he is a god in disguise, taking the opportunity to boast about the Phaeacians’ closeness to the gods

Question 20

Odysseus then says what about Alcinous’ suggestion?

Answer 20

He protests against the fact Alcinous thinks he is a god

Question 21

What does Odysseus hint about after protesting?

Answer 21

He hints to his long suffering but insists that he eats and drinks first. The Phaeacians applaud his speech.

Question 22

What does Arete finally ask?

Answer 22

1. Who Odysseus is
2. Where he is from
3. Where he found his clothes

Question 23

What tactful answer does Odysseus give Arete?

Answer 23

1. Telling his story from Calypso’s onwards

2. Explains how he got the clothes, praising Nausicaa’s conduct in the bargain.

Question 24

What does Alcinous find fault in?

Answer 24

That Nausicaa didn’t bring Odysseus straight to him

Question 25

How does Odysseus tactfully support Nausicaa?

Answer 25

He claims that he declined to save her the gossip.

Question 26

What does Alcinous hint at to Odysseus after he explains how he got to the palace?

Answer 26

Marriage to Nausicaa

Question 27

What does Alcinous promise to do for Odysseus?

Answer 27

To send him home tomorrow, taking the opportunity to boast about his people’s sailing skills.

Question 28

Who does Odysseus pray to after being told Alcinous will send him home the next day? Why?

Answer 28

Zeus, so that Alcinous may win kleos (glory) if he keeps his promise.

Question 29

What does Arete instruct should be done for Odysseus after this prayer?

Answer 29

A bed should be made for him and they all sleep.