"Books 6 to 8 contribute little to the story of the Odyssey. They seem to simply
fill time between Odysseus' escape from Calypso and the narration of his
adventures."
To what extent do you agree with this statement? (30 marks)
In Books 6–8 of the Odyssey, Odysseus is the honoured guest of the Phaeacians. During this
part of the story, Odysseus doesn't get to do much that is especially heroic, and he does not
encounter any major obstacles. It's only later, in Books 9–12, when Odysseus tells his
Phaeacian hosts about his epic wanderings, that his leadership skills are revealed in all their
majestic glory.
Book 6 of the Odyssey begins where Odysseus has been away from his home for twenty
years and is longing to return to Ithaca and Penelope. He had just overcome a horrible
storm and washes up to a beach located in the land of the Phaeacians. This book is very
important and involves certain tests for Odysseus to overcome. Odysseus' first encounter on
the land is a princess named Nausicaa, who is described as “as tall and beautiful as a
goddess.” Alcinous offers Odysseus his daughter for marriage to him by saying he would be
lucky to have Odysseus in his family. This is a test for Odysseus because he has to decide
whether to stay here on this magical island, but he refuses to give in to temptation, and still
chooses to try and return to Ithaca. This episode is significant as it demonstrates his loyalty
to Penelope and his self-control.
Episode 6 is also important because it shows the bridge between the real world and the
fantastical. Nausicaa is described as a goddess, and this island is very close to the Gods.
This is important, as the Phaeacians does not ever involve themselves in wars or conflict
with any other communities or islands, and the people were very close to the Gods’ which
contrasts with Odysseus. For instance, Odysseus is far from feeling close to the Gods, but as
we learn, Athene is constantly helping him, so he is involved with the God’s, and Poseidon
made him go off course, so he is very much involved with the Gods, just as the land of the
Phaeacians is. On the other hand, we know that Odysseus is considered a “war hero” and
spent ten years in conflict at Troy, before trying to return home, which is completely the
opposite to the Phaeacian people. This book seems to be important also, because it contains
one of the vital motifs in this story, of marriage. Athene comes to Nausicaa and says to her,
“you may soon be married”, which is trying to bring her into Odysseus’ future and shape his
fate.
The land of the Phaeacians is also the perfect example of the main themes in the Odyssey;
civilisation, xenia and the role of the gods. Odysseus receives impressive help from the
Phaeacians, and they are known for going out of their way to return a helpless stranger to
his homeland. This exceeds even the generous acts of xenia we find in the other books of
the Odyssey and they are consistent with the locals’ devotion to Zeus, protector of lost
wanderers and champion of suppliants.
A theme which reoccurs throughout the Homeric poem is the conflict between appearance
and reality. Athena is a master of disguise, appropriately appearing in whatever form best
