著者

根本 英世

出版者

日本西洋古典学会

雑誌

西洋古典學研究 (ISSN:04479114)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.26, pp.23-33, 1978-03-23

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The author has tried to examine the Nausicaa scene in ζ, in order to interpret her function in the narrative as well as to explore the poet's elaboration of her description. In the interventions of the Homeric gods we can generally recognize "a pattern" : the narration of their approach to the human world, their appearance and removal from the scene. In addition to these, the motifs of transformation and sleep(or mist)are remarkable where Athena helps and advises throughout the Odyssey. Considering these elements, her entrance at the beginning of the Nausicaa episode is a "typical" one. The process of acquaintance between Nausicaa and Odysseus and the growth of her goodwill towards him is prepared by the goddess at every stage 25f., 1121, 139f., and especially, 229f. after which she not only introduces herself but also gives him detailed advice. Here we should remember that the goddess' help and advice are given only to the main characters in the Odyssey. Her maiden beauty is fully depicted in the simile of φοινικο&b.sigmav; νεον ερνο&b.sigmav;(162 f.)as well as in 15f., 102f., and 0 457. Her inner excellence is also noteworthy; even before the unclothed foreigner she is wise enough to judge his personality from his words(187 f.). Her prudence is to be seen in her manner of leading him to the city(257 f.) , which will ward off the gossip of those whom she calls CnrspcpiaAoi (274) , while nevertheless judging their assumptions to be not unfounded (286 f.). Above all, shyness characterizes her(66). Only indirectly in the form of an imaginary rumour can she reveal her name to the hero(276f.). Though she seems rather affected towards him(239 f.) , she bids a brief but impressive farewell(461 f.). Such a farewell is also possible because they have not fallen in love with each other (cf. ε 203 f). Now she stands before him as a trial, a trial of a kind he has never experienced. He has to gain her advice, as well as food and clothes, to make his homecoming possible. Thus he gives his most eloquent speech in the entire Odyssey(149 f). The simile of the lion(130 f.) could be interpreted as preparing this demonstration of his uflTis, i.e., to introduce his apicrTEicc. He has so far been "a hero in a fairy tale" in finding his way out of danger, but is here confronted with a "realistic" trial, which leads by means of her gift of clothes to another trial in the Phaeacian court; both trials seem to make him ready for those to come in Ithaca. We should also like to note 230-4, 235b=ψ 157-61, 162b. In ψ Athena beautifies him before he is recognized by Penelope, in ζ the goddess does the same before he is received by the princess(which results in the first step of his success in homecoming)-both groups of the verses, so to speak, are preludes to the climaxes of the former and the latter half of the story respectively(cf. Athena's influence on both through dreams, the motif of marriage in both cases). Through the elaborate portrayal of Nausicaa the poet seems to have tried to represent an ideal of maidenhood.