These little touches are so
lifelike and so feminine that they suggest drawing from life by a
female member of Alcinous's own family who knew his character from
behind the scenes.
I would also say before proceeding further that in some parts of
France and Germany it is still the custom to have but one or at most
two great washing days in the year. Each household is provided with
an enormous quantity of linen, which when dirty is just soaked and
rinsed, and then put aside till the great washing day of the year.
This is why Nausicaa wants a waggon, and has to go so far afield.
If it was only a few collars and a pocket-handkerchief or two she
could no doubt have found water enough near at hand. The big spring
or autumn wash, however, is evidently intended.
Returning now to the Odyssey, when he had heard what Nausicaa wanted
Alcinous said:
"'You shall have the mules, my love, and whatever else you have a
mind for, so be off with you.'
"Then he told the servants, and they got the waggon out and
harnessed the mules, while the princess brought the clothes down
from the linen room and placed them on the waggon.
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