The Odyssey Book 7 Dajanea Pollard, A’Nyree Phillips

Important Characters O Odysseus- Husband of Penelope, father of Telemachus, King of Ithaca, currently disliked by Poseidon, favored by Athena, and former “hostage” of Calypso. O Pallas Athena-Goddess, daughter of Zeus, defender of the Achaeans, a “guardian angel type” to Odysseus and his family. O Nausicaa- Daughter of Alcinous and Arete O Alcinous-King of Phaeacia, husband of Arete, father of Nausicaa O Arete-Queen of Phaeacia, wife of Alcinous, mother of Nausicaa

Main Points O Odysseus now leaving Athena’s Grove where he sat praying as told to by Princess Nausicaa is now heading to King Alcinous’s Palace. O During the time spent going there Athena who harbors kindness, and protectiveness for him puts a shield of mist around him so that no one would stop and question his identity since he was very much so a stranger to the Phaeacians.

Main Points O Protecting his identity was not all that Athena would do. She disguised herself as a Phaeacian little girl to greet Odysseus. O Athena then guides Odysseus to the King’s Palace. O Before guiding him there Athena tells him not to make any eye contact with the men of the town because they have no love for hosting foreign men.

Main Points O She then begins to tell Odysseus that all the men seem to trust are their “fast, flying ships that cross the mighty ocean” She describes the ships as “quick as a bird, and quick as a darting thought” Possibly to make Odysseus want to go to the King more then ever now for the hope of getting home fast with the help of the King and his fast-sailing ships.

Main Points O When arriving to the Palace Athena gives him words of encouragement so that he would not have a doubt in mind. O She explains to him who King Alcinous is, his wife, Arete, and some background information on the two that could potentially help him. O She tells Odysseus to try to get into the Queen’s heart first because she lacks nothing good in sense and judgment. Maybe because she believes if Odysseus has the queen’s approval he will also have the King’s.

Main Points O Right away upon arriving in the presence of the King and Queen after marveling at their home Odysseus falls to the knees of the Queen and begs for mercy and help. O Using hospitality the King welcomes Odysseus into his home to dine and have wine with good food and the best chair in the palace. Replacing his own son. After dining the King agrees to accompany Odysseus with help on his journey home to his Native Land.

Main Points O By this time everyone was done dining and the servants began to clean up. O The Queen took this time to speak up. She had noticed the clothing Odysseus was wearing she had made herself. O She then proceeds to question Odysseus about his identity, where he’s from, and who gave him the clothes that he’s wearing.

Main Points O Odysseus begins to tell the Queen about his troubles from start to finish. O He tells them what he has been through so far from being held captive by Calypso, what led him to her island, how he lost most of his loyal shipmates, how he remained there for seven years up until the eighth when he was finally released and the voyage he went through until he reached Phaeacia and was helped by their daughter, Nausicaa.

Main Points O The King is then upset because his daughter did not escort Odysseus to their Palace when she was the first he asked for help. O Odysseus uses his way with words to make the King feel better by saying it was his own embarrassment that stood in the way of her being his guide to their home. O The King replies with complimenting Odysseus and saying that he would in fact let him marry his daughter if that’s what he wanted but he has chosen the day Odysseus will convoy home and that day will be tomorrow.

Book 7 Questions O 1)Where is Odysseus when the chapter begins? O 2)What had Odysseus just finish doing when the chapter begins? O 3)What does Athena do for Odysseus on his way to the Kings Palace? O 4) Who does Athena disguise herself as when approaching Odysseus on his way from the Grove? O 5)What is the reason Odysseus is not suppose to make eye contact with the men of Phaeacia ? O 6)What did Athena tell Odysseus to do when he asks for help from the King and Queen? O 7)Infer why she tells him to do this. O 8)What does Odysseus do to the Queen as soon as he is in her presence? O 9)How is Odysseus treated as a guest? O 10) Who asks Odysseus about his identity? O 11)What does the Queen notice about the clothes Odysseus is wearing? O 12) Why is the King upset about the actions of his daughter? O 13) Infer why Odysseus says that it was his own embarrassment that prevented him from following the Princess home.

Continuation O 14)Infer why Alcinous offers his daughter as Odysseus’s bride. O 15)What is unusual about the relationship of Alcinous and Arete? O 16) Using knowledge of the previous chapter why do you believe the Princess didn’t want the people of the town to see her and Odysseus coming into town together.

Answers 1) Odysseus is in Athena’s Grove. 2) Odysseus had just finished praying to the Gods. 3) Athena puts a mist around him that makes him invisible-like to the people around him. 4) Athena disguises herself as a little girl. 5) The men are not loving of welcoming foreign men. 6) Athena tells Odysseus to try and get to the Queens heart first. 7) You can infer Athena tells him to do this because the Queen is a good judge of character and if he has the approval from her he will most likely have it from the King. 8) Odysseus falls to the Queen’s knees as begging for help as soon as he is in her presence. 9) Odysseus is treated very well as a guest. He receives the best seat in the house with luxurious food. 10) Queen Arete is the first to question Odysseus’s identity. 11) She notices that the clothes Odysseus is wearing she and her maids made themselves. 12) The King is upset because she did not guide him to the palace when she was the first he asked for help. 13) He most likely does not want to upset the King, and he could possibly be telling the truth when he says this.

Answers Continued 14) The king is impressed with Odysseus’s words and looks. 15) It is unusual that the two seem equal and have respect for one another and their opinions. 16) Using previous knowledge you can infer that because the Princess is now thinking about marriage she does not want to give the suitors in town the wrong idea of her, and her relationship with Odysseus.