Examples Of Hospitality In The Odyssey

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey is one of the most complex pieces of literature in the field of classics, the intricacies and hidden meanings that are engrained in the text make it a perfect source to examine the behaviors that were valued and displayed in Greek society. Hospitality is one of the major behavioral patterns that is central to this epic as well as ancient Greek society. Homer helps the reader to understand this code of behavior by writing vivid scenes where the audience can see what lengths the hosts are willing to go to in order to please their guests. However, this understanding is complicated by some abuses of hospitality by the protagonists, Odysseus and Telemachus when they themselves are guests, receiving others hospitality.

There are many reasons why hospitality is important in the Odyssey. For instance it may change the way your future might affect your future or it might even just mess your present up way more than it already is. First, one reason that hospitality is important in The Odyssey is because it’s a Greek/Roman kind of ritual. You treat others into your home as if it was theirs.

From Odysseus’ time with Calypso in Ogygia up until the moment he takes back his home and wife from the suitors in Ithaca, the struggles he faces help answer what makes for a good life. Homer uses Odysseus’ journey throughout “The Odyssey” to identify four aspects of a good life: mortality, honor, hospitality, and experiences. Homer reveals that mortality is necessary for a good life when Odysseus denies the opportunity for immortality that Calypso offers, he shows the significance of honor in his description of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan war and the consequent respect that Odysseus’ crew has for him, Homer reinforces the importance of hospitality in each city Odysseus travels to, and he conveys that experiences, good or bad, define a good life. The Greeks held their gods in high esteem and therefore when Homer or other characters in the epic refer to Odysseus as being “godlike,” this is one of the highest compliments he could receive.

In Homer's intriguing epic, a recurring idea throughout the story is hospitality and how people in that era in ancient Greece showed hospitality to all of their guests no matter who it was. Odysseus the protagonist of the Greek classic was the king of Ithaca and had set out for war to return many years later. In the Odyssey, Odysseus was on the receiving end of hospitality throughout the epic

In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus goes on a journey that takes him away from his home and his family. Throughout his journey he has to be brave and find his way back home even with obstacles in the way. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer changes his perspective on hospitality in order to reveal his message to not disrespect the hospitality of others to his ancient Greek audience and reader. Hospitality throughout the epic develops from Circe showing disrespect and hospitality, to the ship's crew showing disrespect to the sun god while visiting his island, and then Telemachus showing hospitality towards a beggar even though it was really his father. Homer uses Circe and the crew to change his outlook on his message, do not disdain hospitality.

In my family’s home, hospitality is very important to us, I always know to clean the house and make it look nice. It is just the same in the Odyssey. They always treat strangers with respect like when Telemachus stayed with King Nestor at Pylos or when Odysseus washed up on the shore of the Phaeacian island. In the Odyssey, by Homer, he illustrates a recollection of the past, through the use of xenia. Hospitality in Homer’s time was well shown through long travels such as Odysseus ' in The Odyssey as well as the guest-friend relationship, known as xenia.

For Ancient Greece, treating strangers with hospitality is expected. In Odysseus’s recent encounters, he was washed up on the shore of Phaeacia and was welcomed by the king and queen. Though Odysseus is a stranger upon the land of Phaeacia, kindness and aid is brought to him with the words of Alcinoüs, the King of Phaeacia, “I will fix your setting forth, and you may rest secure… until you reach your land and home or anywhere you please.” Treating travelers kindly was quite common in Ancient Greece, thus making “The Odyssey” quite relatable to its listeners. For if you are kind to your visitor, not only will your land receive a good reputation, it also aids in the advancement of trade and culture.

Odysseus keeps his men from hearing their tune and they make it past. Next, he goes by the beast Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis. Five men are eaten, and the rest go to the island of Helios Hyperion, the sun (Homer, Odyssey). Circe warned him not to eat the cows but rather they did at any rate. When they cruise away, Zeus demolishes their boat to rebuff their irreverence (Homer, Odyssey).

loy·al·ty ˈloiəltē/ noun the quality of being loyal to someone or something. a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Loyalty is very strong and very meaningful, like true love or brotherhood. Loyalty has to be earned, not just given away. In The Odyssey, the epic poem by Homer, Odysseus’ crew is steadfastly loyal to him and follow nearly his every direction, even though they are given many reasons not to be.

Ancient Greek culture highly valued hospitality. To begin with, Ancient Greeks treated their guests with respect and kindness. In Neil Dolan’s the article, “Phaeacian Hospitality for Odysseus,” he states that, ”the relationship between guest and host was a matter of greatest importance in the culture.” The author’s words do a good job at creating an underlying meaning of what Greek Hospitality is. Ancient Greeks understand that when they treat a guest with respect the guest will give them more respect in return.

The Odyssey and The Alchemist Comparison Essay In The Odyssey and The Alchemist, Odysseus and Santiago undergo comparable journeys, each with risks and sacrifices made to reach a certain goal. In The Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew of men take the risk to trust each other and also the risk of going on this dangerous journey to find their way back home. On the journey, they encounter many incidents such as the the time when they were to cross a cliff, and in that moment, they had to put their faith in each other. Odysseus is told by one of the his crew members that “the other cliff is lower, as you will see, Odysseus.

Humanism and Heroism Odysseus showed lots heroism and humanism throughout his dangerous journey. His humanism was shown with encounters that delayed his journey and that endangered it. Also Odysseus showed heroism when he took down dangerous obstacles that took his ca down. Another way his heroism was shown was steering his crew away from danger and back home. Calypso showed lots of affections towards Odysseus and held him as a prisoner.

In the story of Odyssey, the plot is based off numerous amount of events that have to deal with the various themes featured in the epic. The author puts certain emphasis on a few specific themes in the poem through how he develops the characters, setting, and plot points. It is seen that the theme of hospitality is one of the motifs that is emphasized in Odyssey by Homer, for it is expressed consistently through the story. Corresponding with the elements of setting as well as the parts that fall into a Homeric society, the theme of hospitality is first shown through how the characters act towards each other.