Odysseus, Nausicaa, & Beauty’s Education

Man is he who suffers, and Odysseus is the man “of twists and turns,” the builder and destroyer, the journeyer trying to reach his beloved homeland.  Here Ian and I discuss what draws this man forward at his nadir in Book VI of Homer’s sequel epic.

Beauty, sing to me of that man of twists and turns!

He who washed up on shore, belched from the belly of the raging sea god.

Wisdom roused young Nausicaa, who stood rooted to the ground,

Odysseus’ welcome into the world.

This crusted roaming lion remembered her in a palm.

Eternal sun shimmering through its leaves near the navel of the world

Now the maw with guardian of Truth, the twinned virtue;

He sung her praises, and she acknowledged his manifold sufferings,

Counseled him to bear them silently.

He accompanied the retinue up to the haven,

And prayed, waiting in Wisdom’s grove