Essential Question: What makes us human beings?

a set of rules and customs that defined the guest-host relationship between two Individuals How does Alkinoos compare to Nestor?

What is the significance of the transfiguration of Athena into a small girl who guides Odysseus to Alkinoos' palace?

Consider the disguises thus far: Mentes Mentor Ipthime Nausikaa's maid

Trusted Figures

Small girl with water jug: Nausikaa warns Odysseus about the xeniaphobic nature of the Phaeacians. The small girl is naïve, innocent, harmless etc.

What does the fog that surrounds Odysseus as he walks through the city suggest?

The fog suggests that Athene is protecting Odysseus, yet she did not have to protect Telemachus as a stranger in Pylos or Sparta.

Who is Athene protecting Odysseus from?

Why?

Odysseus' behavior in this episode- Is he proud?

humble? How does he act toward the Queen Arete Odysseus identifies himself as a supplicant, a person begging humbly and earnestly How earnest and humble can he be if he lies?

*Nausicaa’s advice to travel to the palace unattended,

What does Alkinoos' offer to give Odysseus the princess Nausikaa as his bride suggest?

Successful Deception

*Nausicaa requests the mules from her father *Odysseus claims he did not travel with Nausicaa out of consideration for the father (l. 305-8).

 Both Arete and Alkinoos are descendants of Poseidon (therefore, their great navigation abilities (without oars)  Odysseus’ initial treatment upon arrival on the island, in the palace (location)  The nearby Cyclops , who once lived in unison with the Phaeacians (l. 206)

1 Why is the figure of the poet/singer Demodokos important? What or who does he represent? Identity Quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles. It reminds Odysseus about his Trojan past Causes Odysseus to reflect: Co-habitation on Ogygia with Calypso Penelope in Ithica without a husband for 20 years

2. Why does Odysseus deny the athletic challenge? What causes this ?

3. How do the gods react to the revelation of the adultery?

 Why is Poseidon's reaction to the event different from the other gods'?  This may hint that Poseidon knows it is important to forgive and perhaps will forgive Odysseus one day -- as he in fact will