Hospitality

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Although the Ancient Greeks and American’s today have different practices regarding hospitality, some of their traditions are similar. Many examples of Greek culture, including hospitality, has been displayed in Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey.” This essay will compare hospitality factors between the ancient Greek’s beliefs displayed in the Odyssey and modern day hospitality.
In Ancient Greek, being hospitable was critical. Not only was it a religious duty to be hospitable, it was expected of everyone to be hospitable towards guests. In the article “Welcome: A Religious Duty”, it quotes “Hosts had a religious duty to welcome strangers and guests had a responsibility to respect hosts. The relationship is often symbolized in the Odyssey by the presentation of gifts.” (Welcome: A Religious Duty). Guests could include almost anyone, ranging from friends and family to complete strangers. It was not unusual for travelers to take refuge in a complete stranger’s home. In the Odyssey, Odysseus says to a Cyclops, “It was our luck to come here; here we stand, beholden for your help, or any gifts you give- as is custom to honor strangers.” (Homer 9.170-172.1115). as if it wasn’t enough to have a home to stay in, the guests were expectant of gifts, as displayed by Odysseus previously. It seems as though the gifts would be an item of value, however, not all gifts were tangible items. For example, the Greeks knowledge of current events were vague because there was not a news system, so in exchange for a place to stay, the newcomer might give information to their disconnected hosts. An example of this is when Odysseus is in King Alcinious’ court and tells the king of the obstacles they have encountered trying to get back home to Ithica. Because ...

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... of his guests were seen to.” (Wikipedia). In the Odyssey, Odysseus demonstrates how hospitality is considered a divine right in lines 173-175 where it quotes “We would entreat you, great sir, have a care for the Gods’ courtesy; Zeus will avenge the unoffending guest.” (Homer 9. 173-175.1115). Odysseus is basically saying that if the “Great Sir” is not hospitable towards his guests, he will be punished. The two cultures seem strikingly similar in some ways but are different from each other too.
Both cultures believe in hospitality and both have to meet to their guest’s needs in order to be hospitable. On the other hand, the ancient Greeks saw hospitality as a religious obligation, whereas in society today it as seen as the right thing to do. Ancient Greeks and Americans today have diverse cultures when it comes to hospitality, but in many ways they are in alike.

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