The Changing Role Of Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

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. When the crew arrives at Circe's home “On thrones she seated them”(566) . When seating them on thrones, Circe is shows hospitality to her guests and she is respecting the hospitality code. The hospitality code is the friendly reputation and treatments of guests or strangers. Circe “prepared a meal” (566) for the crew. Circe is displaying respect to her guests and

The swineherd greets them,”friends, sit down”(979). By greeting them as friends even though the swineherd might not know the beggar well he's showing excellent hospitality because he is considering someone he doesn't know as a friend. The swineherd “gave them trenchers” (984) as a welcoming gift. As the swineherd gave them trenchers he was demonstrating great hospitality to the beggar. The swineherds courtesy modifies Homers outlook on hospitality by demonstrating absolute kindness and generosity. Telemachus offered the beggar a seat and he “in turn sat down”(988). Odysseus disguised as the beggar was pleased to see his son following the rules of hospitality but thanked him and refused to take his son's