Nausikaa

Character Analysis

Sometimes spelled Nausicaa. The Phaiakian princess, daughter of Alkinoös and Arete. Nausikaa finds Odysseus, and she who brings him to the palace (somewhat indirectly) to ask for help from the Queen. Her father the King offers her hand in marriage to Odysseus, which might have been nice (she thinks so), if he hadn't been married already.

Nausikaa is just as hospitable as her daddy, telling Odysseus that "you shall not lack for clothing nor anything else, of those gifts which should befall the unhappy suppliant on his arrival" (6.191-193). This is a girl who was raised right.

Plus, she totally has a crush on Odysseus. She tells her friends, "A while ago he seemed an unpromising man to me. Now he even resembles one of the gods, who hold high heaven. If only the man to be called my husband could be like this one, a man living here, if only this one were pleased to stay here" (6.242-245). Well, sure. That's what you get when you have Athene looking out for you.