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Examples Of Hospitality In The Odyssey

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Ancient Greeks define hospitality as, “to maintain order and civility between Greeks from various regions, hospitality was not just a kindness; it was an unspoken cultural law that preserved order for a people who were simultaneously countrymen and strangers”. The Odyssey by Homer, the story of Odysseus’s journey back home, contains several moments of hospitality shown towards him and his companions, who was wandering around the ocean. Although they met dangerous situations in most of the island they landed on, the hospitality that they received from the hosts were always helpful in their journey.
Aeolus, the keeper of the winds, showed hospitality towards Odysseus and his companions and even gave them a portion of his power to help them go back home. The gifts from Aeolus as hospitality was commented by Odysseus from this quote, “..the west wind he lofted for me in a quartering breeze to take my squadron spanking home” (Homer 10.27-29). This shows what kind of gift Odysseus received and how worthy it was to him. As Odysseus and his companions wandered around the ocean already flagged by the amount of sufferings they’ve been through, they were desperate of any help. In this moment, they met Aeolus, who offered them hospitality and also gave them a precious gift, which had the power to end their sufferings by bringing …show more content…

As Odysseus readied to go back home he says, “This hour brings fulfillment to the longing of my heart: a ship for home, and gifts the gods of heaven make so precious and so bountiful” (Homer 13.49-52). When Odysseus reaches Phaeacians’ domains, he told them his situations and how badly he wants to go home. The Phaeacians, as hospitality, helped him not only to go back home, but also gave him handful of precious presents to use when he arrives. By this, Phaeacians became the most helpful people to bring about an end to Odysseus’s long

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