While Odysseus sleeps, Athene goes ahead to Scheria, the city of the Phaiakians. Enters the room of the king Alkinoos's daughter Nausikaa. Appearing as her friend, tells her to do her wedding laundry the next day. She goes to the river with her attendants. While there, Athene wakens Odysseus and he sees them. Debates throwing himself at her feet (knees), or calling out from afar. Since he's naked, that's what he does. Asks for clothing and food, and Nausikaa obliges.
He bathes, and Athene makes his appearance like that of the gods. Nusikaa is impressed. She plans to bring him to her parents for rest, but is afraid of the scandal of being seen in public by the dockworkers with a man not her husband. Instead, Odysseus will wait outside her home, enter later, and throw himself at the queen's feet. She will gladly offer lodging and passage to Odysseus's home.
While waiting, Odysseus prays to Athene for protection. She keeps herself hidden.
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A very short book, far shorter than anything in The Iliad. Odysseus's decision-making is once again at the fore-- and both his choices come to pass, albeit at different times. It's like a Choose Your Own Adventure.
Very clever of the Coen brothers to combine the Sirens with the laundry scene. I wonder if I'll be seeing more of that kind of thing.
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