From the Sea the Golden Rule
Throughout Odysseus' many adventures in his efforts to return home to Ithaca, Homer describes many various cultures that his title character meets along the way. Though many of these cultures could be identified as subcultures of the Greek world, each has unique qualities that separate it from the other cultures. Chief among these qualities is the set of values and morals that serve to define a culture's viewpoint toward life. This is no different in regards to the Phaeacian society on whose land Odysseus washes ashore after leaving Calypso's Island. The Phaeacian value system is aligned to support the society's seafaring nature and love of the sea. As a result, the system of values rotates around the Golden Rule, "Treat others as you want others to treat you." When Odysseus first washes ashore in Phaeacia, he is in a disheveled state, much resembling that of a beggar, and his initial encounter with Nausicca relates this through is humility before Nausicca in asking for clothing: "Here I am at your mercy, princess - . . . But if you're one of the mortals . . . three times blest are your father, your queenly mother," (bk 6 ln 163-9). However, Na
"Stand where you are, girls, a good way off, . The early interactions between Odysseus and Nausicca after he washes ashore on Phaeacia, serve as insight into the values of the Phaeacian society. The values of the Phaeacian society arise from the society's dependence upon the sea and through it other culture on sea, a revolvement about the Golden Rule, "Treat others as you want others to treat you. Coupled with her society's values of hospitality and piety and Odysseus's wayfaring at sea, Nausicca tends to view Odysseus not as mongrel, but rather as respectful man of sea whose fate is as changing as the sea. I would be embarrassed - stark naked before young girls with beautiful braids" (bk 6 ln 241-6). usicca who understands her people's dependence on sea travel and hospitality, yet is skeptical of a man who approaches young maidens without clothing, devises a test of Odysseus' true intentions without showing disrespect. Repeatedly, Nausicca find herself torn between her morals and her heart. It also vividly states the Phaeacian respect and piety toward the Gods and their powers. She offers Odysseus her maids' aid in his bathing and the remainder of the olive oil. This again reflecting Phaeacia dependence on sea travel and commerce, for a mariner has only his reputation on which to rest the kindness of strangers ( This value placed on an individual's reputation is again visible in her opening dialog with Odysseus in which she describes Phaeacia's dedication to the sea and its lord, Poseidon, and dislike of tools of Artemis, after Odysseus compares Nausicca to Artemis.
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