Book VI: How Odysseus appealed to Nausicaa, and she brought him to her father’s house
10/28/2011
Athena appears in Nausicaa’s dream, telling her to go to the river and wash clothes. Nausicaa and her maids meet Odysseus at the river, and all but Nausicaa are frightened of his rough appearance. He begs her to help him and she agrees. He bathes and follows Nausicaa’s instructions for asking her parents for assistance.
- What “subliminal” message does Athena give to Nausicaa while she lies sleeping?
- Why doesn’t Nausicaa run away?
- Is it pure luck that Nausicaa helps Odysseus? Explain.
- What does the fact that Odysseus won’t bathe in front of the girls tell us about his character?
- Does Nausicaa believe her parents will help Odysseus?
- Why won’t Nausicaa let Odysseus ride in her cart?
- What instructions does she give Odysseus?
Suzanne said,
October 31, 2011 @ 9:41 pm
What I find the most interesting in Book VI is the influence of Athena. She totally sets up Nausicaa to help Odysseus, but then Nausicaa’s bold nature allows her to talk with him. Throughout Odyesseus’ adventures, women either help him or hold him back.
Why do you think that is the case?
What role did women have in Greek society?
Varvara(: said,
October 31, 2011 @ 9:53 pm
1. The “subliminal” message Athena gave to Nausicaa was that when she wakes up she was to go to the river and wash her bridal gown, and to think more of her wedding day.
2. Nausicaa doesn’t run away from Odysseus because she was bold, honest, and was not scared since this was her fathers land.
3. No, its not pure luck because Athena was the one who sent Nausicaa out to the river, and Athena knew that Odysseus was there, and that Nausicaa was a kind person.
4. The fact that Odysseus wouldn’t bathe in front of the girls says that he is faithful to his wife and that he has manners.
5. Yes, Nausicaa does beleive that her parents will help Odysseus out, since she told him to go to her father’s palace and not to hesitate and go right up to his mother.
6. Nausicaa didn’t let him ride in her cart because she didn’t want people to think there was something going on between them.
7. The instructions Nausicaa gave Odysseus was he was to go to her father’s palace, not to hesitate, and go find her mother at the fireplace. then, clasp her knees, if she accepted him, he was as good as home.
Maximilian :) said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:48 pm
1. The grey-eyed goddess made Nausicaa dream that she should go down to a river and wash some clothes for the wedding.
2. I think Nausicaa stood her ground because Athena made her stay.
3. Athena made Nausicaa stay and help Odysseus.
4. Either Odysseus is scared of girls or he doesn’t want to see girls bathe except Penelope.
5. Nausicaa believes her parents will help him because it’s her father’s kingdom and it’s his responsibility to help people.
6. Nausicaa doesn’t want anybody to see Odysseus hiding behind the cart so nobody will think there is something going on between them.
7. Nausicaa instructed Odysseus “Now here is what you must do,” she told him. “On the way to my father’s palace we will pass between the boatyards. The last thing I want is for some shipwright to see you following along behind my cart and think that there is something going on between us. But just before town is a roadside grove, sacred to Athena. Wait there until you’re sure I’m gone, then enter the city gate. Ask directions to the palace, and when you’ve found it do not hesitate. Come straight into the hall and seek out my mother.”
Suzanne said,
November 2, 2011 @ 12:45 am
Maxi – I think you could develop your answers a bit more fully.
dan said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:51 pm
1. Athena says to Nausicaa in a dream that she should go to the basin to wash her wedding gowns.
2. Nausicaa doesn’t run away because she is bold in nature and it’s her father’s land.
3. Nausicaa helped Odysseus because she is kind, it’s her father’s kingdom, and she is a princess.
4. He is very faithful to his wife and he is just not that kind of person to just get naked in front of people.
5. Yes, because her father and mother are very kind and that by telling them who he is that it might help them to help him.
6. If he would have come back with her people might think that something is going on between them.
7. Nausicaa told Odysseus to wait by the roadside grove[ which is sacred to Athena] until he was sure that she was gone.
Varvara(: said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:52 pm
–add to number 7..apparently Nausicaa’s parents were nice people and would help him out.
faliley said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:54 pm
1. Athena gave a subliminal message to Nausicaa that she needs to go to the river and wash her bridal grown.
2. Nausicaa didnt run away because she knew he didnt mean her no harm.
3.No its not pure luck that she helps odysseus, Athena told Nausicaa to help him.
4.Odysseus wont bathe in front of girls because he is shy and old it didnt feel right to him plus the girls were young.
5. She belives that her parents would help him because their nice and help poor.
6.Nausicaa wont let odysseus ride in her cart because she dosnt want them to be seen together.
7.She told Odysseus to go to her fathers palace and go to the hall and seek out her mother.
Firce said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:55 pm
1.The goddess prompted her to give thought to her wedding day. She should journey to the pools down by the river and wash her bridal gown.
2.Nausicaa does not run away when Odysseus comes out of the woods because Athena put courage into her heart and stood her ground.
3.As strangers and beggars are in the hands of Zeus and she didnt want to get on his bad side.
4.He dosent want to bathe in front of the girls because he is old and they are very young it would be weird.
5.Yes if he presents himself right and show that he is no harm to the kingdom.
6.Other people might think that there is something happening between them.
7.Go to the palace and seek out my mother then clasp her knees if she accepts you then your good as home.
Suzanne said,
November 2, 2011 @ 12:48 am
Firce – it’s good to find the passage in the text that answers the question, but then write your answer in your OWN words. Thanks!
mariamia said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:56 pm
1)Athena’s message to Nausicca was to go to the river and wash her bridal gown.
2)She didn’t run away because she was bold, honest, and it was her father’s land.
3)Yes. Because she’s nice, and she’s not afraid of him.
4)Odysseus won’t bathe in the river in front of other girls, because he is faithful to his wife, and maybe because of the age difference of Odysseus and the young girls.
5)Yes, because her mother and father are very kind to give help for Odysseus.
6)Nausicca doesn’t let Odysseus ride in her cart because she didn’t want the shipwright to see him in the cart and think that there was something going on between the both of them!
7) The instructions she gives to Odysseus is get to the palace and go through the gates come into the hallways and go to her mother.
Yakov Kuzmin said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:58 pm
1. Athena tells Nausicaa to clean her clothes for her wedding day.
2. She doesnt run away because she has courage from Athena and its her homeland.
3. No, its not luck. Athena sent Nausicaa to shore to wash her clothes and meet Odysseus.
4. Odysseus is fithfull to his wife and the girls are young.
5. Yes, shes pretty sure her parents will help Odysseus.
6. Other men might be rude to them and will think he is to become her new husband.
7. Odysseus will ride with Nausicaa to the city and then get off before entering and go into the city another way.
dan said,
October 31, 2011 @ 10:58 pm
mariamia- Didnt Narsicaa tell odyssues to wait in the grove until she is done.
evgeny said,
October 31, 2011 @ 11:00 pm
1. Athena tells her that she needs to go to the river.
2. Nausicaa doesn’t run away because she is bold.
3. No it is not pure luck because Athena came to nausicaa in her dreams and she is a kind lady.
4. It tells us that Odysseus is faithful to his wife and they the girls are very young and he is an elderly man.
5. Nausicaa believes that her parents will help him.
6. Nausicaa won’t let Odysseus ride in her cart because she doesn’t want anyone seeing them near each other.
7. She tells him to wait at the roadside grove, sacred to Athena. Then when when I am gone then go and enter the city gate.
Arseny said,
November 1, 2011 @ 12:43 am
1. The Subliminal message that Athena gave to Nausicaa was too take her bridal gown to the river and wash it.
2. Nausicaa stood her ground because it was her fathers’ land and also she sized him up and didn’t think he was a threat to her and plus she is also very brave.
3. No it is not pure luck because Athena gave Nausicaa a message that she should go to the river where Odysseus was at, IT WAS NOT PURE LUCK!
4. He is a little bit old and they are a little bit too young also and maybe he likes his privacy it could be anything, like he is faithful to his wife.
5. Yes I think that her parents will help because if the daughter is that nice so are the parents so they will help him.
6. If they rode back together on the cart, people would probably think something is going on between them so she made him walk behind them.
7. The instructions she gave him was to stop at a roadside grove sacred to Athena just before the town, then wait until I disappear into the city then enter the city gates, and ask directions to the palace don’t hesitate but just walk up and ask for my mother, then when you find her clasp her knees and if she accepts you then you’re as good as home.
Alex said,
November 1, 2011 @ 9:03 pm
1) Athena is telling Nausicaa what to do when she is sleeping.
2) Nausicaa doesn’t run away because she is bold.
3) No, it is not pure luck because, Athena came to Nausicaa in her dreams and she very kind.
4) Odysseus won’t bathe in front of the girls because they are young and he is faithful to his wife.
5) Yes, because her father and mother are very kind and they know that he will not bring harm to the kingdom.
6) He would go with her in the cart together but people would notice them and think something is going on between so he went by foot behind them.
7) she told him to stop at a roadside grove sacred to Athena just before the town, then wait until I disappear into the city then enter the city gates, and ask someone for the directions don’t freak out go to my mother then you will find her clasp her knees and if she accepts you then you’re as good as home.
elesey said,
November 1, 2011 @ 9:24 pm
1) The subliminal message that Athena gave to Nausicaa was to think of her wedding day and go to the river and wash her bridal gown.
2) Nausicaa didn’t run away because she was sent there by Athena and Athena probably gave her the strength to stand her ground as Odysseus approached.
3) Its fairly obvious that it wasn’t pure luck that Nausicaa helped Odysseus. She was sent there by Athena. DUH!
4) The fact that Odysseus didn’t bathe in front of the girls says a lot about character. He was obviously a good man, and he was also married, so it would be inappropriate for him to bathe in front of other women.
5) Nausicaa does believe that her parents will help Odysseus, but isn’t certain. How her parents will react to Odysseus would be dependent entirely on him.
6) Nausicaa wount let Odysseus ride with her because she was afraid of how the public would see it. Or maybe she was falling for Odysseus and if people thought they were together, perhaps Nausicaa would believe it too.
7) Nausicaa’s instructions to Odysseus were pretty clear. He should just man up and walk into the king’s palace. Nausicaa probably didn’t want her parents to know she had helped him.
kosta r said,
November 1, 2011 @ 9:31 pm
1. The subliminal message Athena gives to Nausicaa was to go and wash her bridal gown at the river.
2. She didn’t run away because she was bold and it was her father’s land and her homeland.
3. It was not pure luck because Athena made Nausicaa go to the river to wash her bridal gown but really she wanted her to meet Odysseus.
4. Odysseus won’t bathe in from of the young girls because he is an old dude and he is very faithful to his beloved wife.
5. Yes Nausicaa thinks that her parents will help Odysseus get home safe for his family.
6. If Odysseus and Nausicaa were to ride together other people would start to think that there is something happening between them and she doesn’t want that and so does he.
7. Come through the gate ask someone for directions to the palace and come straight into the hall and seek out my mother.
julian said,
November 1, 2011 @ 9:34 pm
1. The subliminal message form Athena to Nausicaa was to wash her wedding dress for her wedding
2. She knew that he wouldn’t harm her in the lands of Zeus.
3. Yeah because Nausicaa didn’t feel threatened by Odysseus.
4. Odysseus wont bath in front of the girls because he has a wife the he loves and maybe he’s shy in front of strangers.
5. Yes she dose because her parents are nice and considerate.
6. She doesn’t want him to ride with her because she doesn’t want people thinking that there is something going on between them.
7. Wait by the roadside grove till she’s gone then come through the city gate and ask directions to the palace, and when you’ve found it do not hesitate. Come straight into the hall and seek out my mother.
varvara(: said,
November 1, 2011 @ 9:40 pm
Yakov- your answer to number two about Athena giving her courage, where did you read that? =?
katya said,
November 2, 2011 @ 1:26 am
1. Athena told Nausicaa to go and wash her bridal gown in a dream.
2. She doesn`t run away because she is bold, honest and is on her fathers land.
3. It is not pure luck that Nausicaa helps Odysseus because Athena told Nausicaa to go and clean her bridal gown at the river making Nausicaa believe she thought of it.
4. He feels old in front of them because they are so young and he`s loyal and honest to his wife not like a lot of Greeks that time.
5. Yes Nausicaa believes her parents will help because she tells him not to hesitate and just go in also tells him where her mom is and what to do to get her help.
6. She doesn`t let Odysseus ride with her or let him follow her because she doesn`t want some shipwright thinking there is something going on between them.
7. She tells him to follow her through the boatyards until they get to a roadside grove just out of town and then wait until she`s out of sight and enter the city gate and ask someone for directions and find her mom and clasp her knees and if she accepts, he`ll be home.
vara(: said,
November 3, 2011 @ 1:22 am
Yakov- Hahaha! Yakov what does “fithful” mean? 😉
Steve said,
November 9, 2011 @ 3:19 am
1.Athena told Nausicaa to go down to the river to wash her wedding gown.
2.She saw that he meant no harm and she felt sorry for him.
3.No, Athena told Nausicaa to go to there, because Athena knew that Nausicaa would help Odysseus.
4.He really loves his wife and that he would only wash in front of her.
5. Nuasica believes her parents will help Odysseus, because they are very hospitable and welcoming people.
6.Nausica didn’t let Odysseus ride in her cart because the people around them would think that there was something going on between them and she didn’t want that.
7.Nausica told Odysseus to wait by the roadside grove sacred to Athena, and wait until she leaves and then he can enter the city.
fetina said,
November 16, 2011 @ 9:00 pm
1) The message Athena gave to Nausicaa is when she wakes up, to go to the river and wash her bridal gown.
2) Nausicca didn’t run away because she wasa brave and she wanted to help him.
3) No it wasn’t pure luck because Athena was the one who sent her to the river.
4) He wouldn’t bathe in front of the young girls because he was faithful to his wife and age difference.
5) Nusicaa believes her parents will help him because he is the owner of the kingdom and they help people who ask for help.
6) Nausicaa won’t let him ride in her cart is because she doesn’t want people to start rumors of her being with another man.
7) The instructions Nausicaa gave to Odyssues is to come to the palace, and not hesitate to come in, come straight to the hall and seek out her mother, she’ll be seated by the fire, clasp her knees, if she accepts your supplication, you’re good to go home.