Book 7 contains the evening of the thirty-second day of the Odyssey (cf. Appendix A), which brings Odysseus' meeting with the Phaeacian nobles and the royal couple Alcinous and Arete. The structure of the meeting is determined largely by the (overnight)* ‘visit’ type-scene: Odysseus (i) sets off (14–45; expanded with an encounter with Athena); (ii) arrives at the palace (46–135; expanded with a detailed description of the palace); (iii) finds the Phaeacian nobles, Alcinous, and Arete (136–8); (iv) is received (139–71; here the reception takes the special form of a supplication); (v) is given a meal (172–83); (vi) a conversation ensues (doubled: 184–227 and 228–334); (viii) a bed is prepared for the guest (335–47). This will be followed later by the elements of (vii) a bath (8.433–69n.) and (ix) guest-gifts (8.389–93n.).

The element of (x) the escort to the next destination (pompe) occupies a central place in this visit. Bringing Odysseus to Ithaca is the main function of the Phaeacians (cf. 5.37), and the subject is touched upon repeatedly: the escort home is brought up for the first time by Nausicaa (6.289–315), officially placed on the agenda by Odysseus in 7.151–2 (and cf. 222–5), promised by Alcinous in 189–96, applauded by the Phaeacian nobles in 226–7, reconfirmed by Alcinous in 317–28, publicly announced by Alcinous in 8.26–40, reconfirmed again by Alcinous in 8.545 and 556, delayed in 11.328–84, and reconfirmed again just before its execution in 13.39–56.

A considerable time passes before Odysseus reveals his name to the Phaeacians.