What part does Phaeacia play in the Odyssey?
The episode with Phaeacia begins where Odysseus has been away from his home for twenty years, and is longing to return to Ithaca and Penelope. This book is very important and involves certain tests for Odysseus to come across. At the beginning of this book, we are told that the princess, Nausicaa, is described as “tall and beautiful as a goddess.” Alcinous as good as offers Odysseus his daughter for marriage to him by saying he would be lucky to have Odysseus n 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 be tempted, and still chooses to try and return to Ithaca.
Nausicaa is described as a goddess, and this island is very close to the Gods’. This is important, because Phaeacia 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 is in contrast to Odysseus. For instance Odysseus is far from feeling close to the God’s, 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 Phaeacia 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, but this will not happen as it is fate that he will return to Ithaca. This island is a magical island, and very hospitable towards him, but there is still a hint of danger to him, because not only are the close to the Gods’ in general, they are close and have a sacred temple to Poseidon, who is against Odysseus returning to Ithaca.
