My case study within the Odyssey takes place in book 6, “The Princess and her Laundry.” During this passage, Odysseus winds up on the shores of a place called Scheria, home of the Phaeacians. He ends up here because shortly after leaving Calypso’s island on his raft, he is shipwrecked by Posidean, as revenge for Odysseus blinding his son, Polyphemus the cyclops. After being stranded at sea, he eventually washed up on the shore of Scheria. He is discovered by the princess of the Phaeacians, Nausicaa, who was guided to wash her laundry by the shore by Athena, disguised as her friend. When she and her slaves discovered Odysseus, instead of fearing him, they welcomed him into Scheria, and provided him with a bath, food, and clothes. Nausicaa also informed Odysseus on a way to get back home, with the help of her father, the king of the Phaeacians. Odysseus’ meeting with the king is continued in book 7, after Athena, disguised as a child, leads Odysseus to the palace.

When Odysseus first approaches Nausicaa and her slaves on the river shore, he is described in a tattered state, one which would frighten most people. “Just as a mountain lion trusts its strength, and beaten by the rain and wind, its eyes burn bright as it attacks the cows or sheep…” (6.130). This quote illustrates just how beaten and tired Odysseus was at this point, and how unapproachable he looked. By describing him like one would a hungry lion, it makes Odysseus seem predatory in a way. Most people wouldn’t trust a person who was in Odysseus’ state, let alone be hospitable to them. However, Nausicaa displays true hospitality during this passage. While her slaves ran away from Odysseus, “…Nausicaa stayed still. Athena made her legs stop trembling and gave her courage in her heart” (6.139). This quote shows insight into Nausicaa’s character, and how unlike her slaves, she was not afraid of Odysseus, and instead showed him hospitality by inviting him into Scheria and telling him how he can get home. Despite helping Odysseus so much, Nausicaa acknowledges how he is a stranger to them, yet still continues to help, as shown by how she addresses him. “‘Stranger, get ready; you must go into town, and I will have you meet the best of all our people.’” (6.256). This further shows the value in Nausicaa’s hospitality, because she is willing to provide so much help to someone who is a stranger to her. These quotes help strengthen the theme of hospitality that continuously appears throughout this book. 

By using such strong imagery during this book regarding Odysseus and Nausicaa’s meeting, the theme of hospitality is shown more clearly. Hospitality is the main theme of book 6, as shown through not only Nausicaa providing Odysseus a bath and food, but by assisting him in getting home, which is also continued into the next book. Without this hospitality that Nausicaa and the Phaeacians show, Odysseus’ journey could’ve ended here, where he would die at sea or on an abandoned island. It is because of this importance of hospitality that makes Nausicaa’s actions more compelling, and makes this book and passage such an important part of Odysseus’s journey overall.