Question

Why doesn't Odysseus clasp Nausicaa's knees? She is only a young girl, and not worthy of such respect. He is struck by her beauty. He is afraid he would frighten or offend her. He does wish to appear as a suppliant.

Answer 1

Odysseus does not clasp Nausicaa's knees because he is afraid he would frighten or offend her. So instead he talks to her and admires her beauty. Nausicaa feels that Odysseus does not want to harm her, so she decides to help him.

The answer is the third choice, C.

Answer 2

Answer: He is afraid he would frighten or offend her.

Step-by-step explanation:

Although Odysseus wants to supplicate Naussicaa for help, he fears that clasping her knees might frighten her, him being a bulky naked mess and her a helpless youthful princess. Instead, he invokes the knee-clasp verbally ('I clasp tour knees, my queen') without touching her at all and keeping his distance.