Book 7 summary

Question 1

What does Athena do at the start of the book?

Answer 1

• As Odysseus walks towards the city, she surrounds him with a protective mist
• Disguised as a young girl, she guides him to the castle

Question 2

What does Athena, disguised as the young girl, tell Odysseus?

Answer 2

• She tells him to be bold and advises him to win the queen Arete’s sympathies, because her judgement holds much weight in the Kingdom

Question 3

What does Odysseus think of Alcinous’ palaces

Answer 3

• He marvels at Alcinous’ fruitful realm and luxurious household

Question 4

What does Odysseus do when he enters the palace?

Answer 4

• He goes inside, where many people are feasting, and puts his arms around Arete’s knees
• The mist around him dissipates- he blesses her family and begs for safe passage home.

Question 5

What does Alcinous do when Odysseus enters?

Answer 5

• He sits Odysseus down next to him, they eat and drink and all raise their glasses to Zeus.
• Alcinous tells the lords that they will convene tomorrow to sacrifice to the gods and arrange the stranger’s journey home

Question 6

What does Alcinous wonder to Odysseus, and how does he respond?

Answer 6

• He wonders whether the stranger is a god, and if he is, the behaviour of the gods will have changed, as they used to come to mortals undisguised.
• Odysseus response that he is only mortal, weighed down with mortal suffering, and regrets that he must eat despite his grief- hunger eases his memory

Question 7

What does Odysseus tell Alcinous his greatest wish is?

Answer 7

• To be conveyed home, and to see his home and family again, and to eventually die happily.

Question 8

What does Arete notice about Odysseus?

Answer 8

That he is wearing clothes from her household, she asks him about this suspiciously.

Question 9

How does Odysseus answer Arete’s suspicions?

Answer 9

• He describes his entrapment on Calypso’s island, his escape and difficult journey, and his encounter with Nausicaa- how she gave him clothes and directed him to the castle.
• He claims that it was his idea not to accompany the princess into the city

Question 10

What does Alcinous wish for?

Answer 10

That such a man as Odysseus could stay in Scherie and wed Nausicaa.

Question 11

What does Alcinous tell Odysseus at the end of the book?

Answer 11

That he’ll arrange a ship to carry him home the following morning