As the gods predicted in Book V, Odysseus leaves Kalypso’s island on a small raft with very little food and a cloak, and for seventeen days he is out at sea. On the night of the seventeen day, Poseidon, who obviously holds some sort of grudge against Odysseus, sends a huge storm that breaks his raft and destroys his hope. Ino, Kadmos’ daughter, gives him a veil that will keep him safe until he arrives at the land that is in the distance. After three long days, Odysseus finally arrives at the mouth of a calm river (V, 461), finds a leaf-bed, and sleeps. When he wakes, he hears a shout and gets up to roam around and see who the people are that inhabit this island. Odysseus sees Nausikaa and admires her beauty; but because he is naked he decides …show more content…
When he first sees her, he is in complete awe, asking is she “divine, or mortal?” (VI, 161). But instead of referring to her as Aphrodite, the goddess of love and lustful desire, to describe her beauty he says “you are most near to Artemis” (VI, 163), the goddess of chastity and virginity; he uses this metaphor because he wants to show that he respects her. He goes on to say “never have I laid eyes on equal beauty/ in man or woman” (VI, 172-173) and comments on her grace and presence (VI, 164). Nausikaa is very courageous and strong, thanks to Athena’s help; instead of fleeing like her maids when they saw the naked man, she stays and listens to everything he has to say. After Odysseus’ speech, she replies, “Zeus metes out fortune/ to good and bad men as it pleases him.” (VI, 202-203) this shows she is also very …show more content…
Odysseus says to her, “Mistress, do me a kindness!” (VI, 188), he doesn’t share his name or go into details about his trials and tribulations that he has undergone to reach Phaiakia, which shows modesty; he relies on his speaking skills and the fact that the gods ask for all people to be hospitable. He was a kind, gentle ruler of Ithaka, because of this he learned the proper ways to influence people using his words. Nausikaa is touched by Odysseus’ speech, he was humble and modest, but most of all flattering. Because he was successful in persuading her, she tells him, “hardship he sent to you, and you must bear it./ But now that you have taken refuge here/ you shall not lack for clothing, or any other/ comfort.” (VI, 204-207). She gives him directions to town, but she doesn’t walk with him, because he is a handsome stranger and she doesn’t want gossip to be started (VI, 294,