The Odyssey Summary:Book 6
Book 6 begins with Athena entering the city of the Phaiakians and finding Nausikaa, the beautiful daughter of Alkinoos. She speaks to Nausikaa, as though she is in a dream, and convinces her to wash her clothes and prepare as she would for her wedding. So Nausikaa takes her clothes, her many beautiful maids, some oil, and some food down to the washing pool where they do the laundry and go for a swim. Meanwhile, Odysseus wakes up, finds the girls, all of whom are initially scared off, except Nausikaa. Soon they are all convinced of how wonderful he is, and they give him baths and lavish him with attention. While they are doing this Odysseus tells Nausikaa how beautiful and great she is. Nausikaa wants to take him home with her so she tells him to follow along behind her, she would not want to seem inappropriate, and to meet her at her father’s house later. Odysseus then prays to Athena so he will find love and mercy among the Phaiakian people, and sets off on his way to the house of the King.
