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
The early interactions between Odysseus and Nausicca after he washes ashore on Phaeacia, serve as insight into the values of the Phaeacian society. Nausicca's response to Odysseus's request for clothing reflects on her society's values of modesty and hospitality before strangers, a value her society depends upon of others in its seafaring ways. Furthermore, Nausicca internal debate between her heart and her mind implies the emphasis her society gives an individual's reputation, again a reflection on Phaeacia's seafaring nature. This reflection to the seafaring nature and love of sea to the Phaeacian society is further apparent within Nausicca's opening monologue with her description of Phaeacia's respect and piety of the Gods. In each of these values, Phaeacia's seafaring nature shows its hand in the value systems development. 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." Nausicca's opening does more than to identify the value the Phaeacian society places on one's reputation. It also viv
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Approximate Word count = 782
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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