Odysseus has arrived at the land of the Phaiakians, a people
known for their seafaring capabilities, and is working his way to the palace to
talk to the king and queen. Athena disguises herself as a young girl to
lead him to the palace and covers him in a mist to hide him as the people may
not be hospitable and having "no patients for outsiders."
Athena also tells him to ask help from the queen, Arete, rather than the king,
Alkinoos, as she is the true power. Odysseus then arrives at the palace
and wanders experiencing and describing the luxury. Gold and silver cover
the walls, impeccable craftsmanship; the gold dog statues, an abundance of decadent
fruits, etc. cover the palace and the grounds around it. When he finally
arrives at the king and queen he is still covered by the mist until he falls to
the queen’s feet and grabs the queen’s knees. He grieves to her and the
king, sitting in ashes, until there is a silence and a man, Echeneos, recommends
that Alkinoos send for silver chair, food, wine and also a basin of water the
wash. Odysseus tells of his sorrows and his depression but never his
name. During this, Arete notices his clothes as garments that she has
made and inquires. He tells his tails of Kalipso who set him free and
wandered for 17 days before arriving at their shore where he met their daughter
who bathed him and gave him the clothes. Alkinoos was extremely impressed
with Odysseus and offered him the hand of his daughter, a home, and wealth but
says that he will send Odysseus on his way home. The Phaiakians make a
bed for Odysseus who then goes to sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment