The Odyssey Book 7

Setting!

The story begins with Odysseus traveling to the palace of Alcinous, who is the king of the Phaeacians.

On his way to the palace, Odysseus encounters Athena who is disguised as a young girl.

Athena offers to show Odysseus the way to the palace and provide him with a magical mist that will keep him safe from the Phaeacians.

"Pallas Athena, harboring kindness for the hero, drifted a heavy mist around him [Odysseus], shielding him from any swaggering islander who crossed his path" (180).

Odysseus is traveling to the palace to plea for help on his return home. While Athena is helping him get to the palace, she advices that he direct his plea to the queen Arete.

When Odysseus arrives at the palace, Athena leaves and returns to Athens. However, Odysseus finds that the palace residents are holding a ceremony in honor of Hermes the giant killer.

As Odysseus entered the ceremony he saw the queen and immediately threw himself at her feet. When he does the mist around his disappears leaving him exposed. At first when the mist dissipates the king and queen think he is a god, however Odysseus quickly clears the kings suspicions by saying he is mortal. Soon the king and queen promise to see him off on a Phaeacian ship the next day.

Later that evening, Arete realizes that the clothes Odysseus is wearing reseamble the ones that she had made for her daughter, Nausicaa. Suspicious she interrogates him further.

Odysseus explains his story to the king and queen, telling them that he met Nausicaa on his travels to the palace.

Odysseus explains that it was his idea to come to the palace unaccompanied by princess Nausicaa. Over joyed the king premises Odysseus to have Nausicaa hand in marriage.

Character Descriptions!

Odysseus: Long-suffering great Odyesseus, he is the protagonist in the odyssey. After he fought in Troy he has struggled to return home to Ithica. However, no matter what is thrown in his way worldly-wise Odyesseus stayed very determined. He is a brave warrior but is also very cunning because manages to only provide the information asked and nothing more to get what he wants. Wary Odysseus seems to be favored by Athena who often helps him on his journey.

King Alcinous: Generous King Alcinous, he was beloved and very treasured "for he ruled the Phaeacians, they obeyed him like a god" (Homer 179).The hallowed king had a lot of control over his community.

Athena: Pallas Athena or the bright eyed goddess is a very valued figure. She is the goddess of wisdom, battle, and womanly arts. She often aids Odysseus in his travels.

Queen Arete: The white-armed queen is very intelligent and influential. While her husband, King Alcinous makes the majority of the decisions she greatly influences them. Also throughout the story there are a lot of references to how wise Arete is.

Greek Themes!

Xenia: hospitality, generosity, and curiosity is used when the king and the queen open their palace to Odysseus, as well as, provide him with a ship.

Euetheia: Alcinous is foolish when he out rightly believed everything Odysseus said, and quickly married his daughter off to him.

Polymetis: Odysseus is clever when explaining his meeting with Nausicaa.

Pathos: Odysseus recieves pity from the king and the queen after explaining his story, which turns into compassion when they give Odysseus a Phaeacian ship.

Favorite Quote!

"You go on inside. Be bold, nothing to fear. In every venture the bold man comes off best, even the wanderer, bound from distance shores"(181).

5 Questions!

1. Why do you think Athena is so fond of Odysseus?

2. What effects would the Phaeacians have on Odysseus's travel if Athena hadn't helped him?

3. How do you think Odysseus will make his decision between Penelope and Nausicaa?

4.Where do you think Odysseus would be if Athena hadn't helped him travel?

5. In what ways is Queen Arete smarter or more influential than her husband?

The majority of this story is set at the palace of Alcinous in Scheria.

The Odyssey Book 7:Phaeacia's Halls and Gardens

By Rachel Ensign