Hospitality In The Odyssey

960 Words2 Pages

Homer the author of the Odyssey, uses fear of the gods to portray the idea of “Xenia”; Which means hospitality to all so that they can live a normal and happy life. When a person enters someone's home for the first time, his or her first impression is based off of the homeowners hospitality. The rules of hospitality are, provide the guest with food and drink, let them bathe, and let them rest or entertain them. In the Odyssey, the concepts of hospitality are important to the ancient Greeks because, they believe those who disobey the rules will get punished by Zeus such as Polyphemus he lost his eyesight by Odysseus, but there are characters who do obey the rules such as Nausicaa and Eumaeus, and such as Nestor and Alcinous. Nausicaa …show more content…

Alcinous and Nestor did the concepts in their own way but still used the same steps of hospitality. Alcinous’s daughter Nausicaa brought a stranger to her father, and he orders a banquet for him. After he was settled, the stranger (Odysseus) is seated in the guests place of honor. Demodocus which is known as the famous blind minstrel is called over. Odysseus gives him a gift of pork crisp with fat and requested a song about the wooden horse of Troy, which was really a song about himself. As he sanged Alcinous notices Odysseus tears running down his cheeks and demands that his guest reveal his identity. This is demonstrated near the begging of the Odyssey when Telemachus went to Pylos to visit Nestor. Nestor, not knowing who he was taking into his home as guests, treated them with great honor and respect. “Now is the time, he said , for a few questions, now that our young guests have enjoyed their dinner who are you strangers ?”. (page 728 ll 175-189) If ever Greeks were to serve themselves before their guests or even a little better then them, then they were breaking the most basic of all Greeks …show more content…

This specific character stood out the most to me, his name was Polyphemus. Polyphemus was a cyclops that live on Sicily. Odysseus in his crew arrived in Sicily after being blown off course. Him and his crew found Polyphemus’s cave while he isn't there. Polyphemus came home and said “Stranger, he said who are you ? and where from? What brings you here by sea ways-a faire traffic? Or are you wandering rogues, who cast your lives like dice, and ravage another folk by sea ?.” (page 747 ll 711-714) With fear struck into their hearts, Odysseus goes on and tell him how he and his crew came across to his island. “Here we stand, beholden for your help, or any gifts you give-as custom is to honor strangers. We would entreat you, great Sir , have a care for the gods courtesy; Zeus will avenge the unoffending guest.” (page 747 ll 725-729) Polyphemus replied with a brutal chest, unmoved from Odysseus story. He ate two of Odysseus crewmen and two more the next morning for breakfast, two more later on for lunch. In return for his unwelcoming and the killing of his crew man. Odysseus chops out a six-foot section of a pole and smoothed it. He then hewed it again making it a stake with a pointed end and held it to the heat of the fire. Then hid it in a dung pile and profusion. Odysseus says “Cyclops, try some here liquor to wash down your scraps of men. Taste it, and see the kind of drink we

Show More
Related

  • The Themes Of Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey

    1206 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through his use and experience of the practice, the reader follows his story of maturity. It is evident that, no matter the circumstance (such as the annoyance of the suitors), he is more than willing to exercise Greek hospitality: "Welcome, stranger. You shall be entertained as a guest among us. Afterward, when you have tasted dinner, you shall tell us what your need is" (Book I, lines 122-124). After he greeted this stranger (who was truly Athene in disguise), his servants provided them with a place to wash their hands, food, and drinks. This act may have put Telemachos on great terms with Athene, who helped him on the journey to attempt the discovery of his father 's whereabouts. Without the hospitality, Athene may not have helped Telemachos on his journey. While on his journey, Telemachos experiences Greek hospitality in all of the households that he comes across. Even the hosts of those households were very open to him (and Athene), and made them feel welcomed into their

    Read More

  • Xenia, The Greek Concept Of Hospitality In Homer's Iliad

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    Xenia, the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, was one of the foremost forces in Homer’s Iliad. The Achaeans respect it above nearly all else, and failure to adhere to its strict customs could lead to the forfeiture of countless souls.

    Read More

  • Greek Hospitality in The Odyssey

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Greeks have been known for their hospitality and politeness, especially when treating guests- whether strangers or not. This is demonstrated near the beginning of the Odyssey when Telemachus went to Pylos to visit Nestor. Nestor, not knowing who he was taking into his home as guests, treated them with great honor and respect. "Now is the time," he said, "for a few questions, now that our young guests have enjoyed their dinner. Who are you, strangers? Where are you sailing from, and where to, down the highways of sea water (p 299)?" If ever Greeks were to serve themselves before their guests or even a little better than them, then they were breaking the most basic of all Greek customs, for this tradition of hospitality was passed down from generation to generation, and breaking it would bring embarrassment and dishonor upon the home.

    Read More

  • Greek Hospitality in the Odyssey

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    Altogether, hospitality was an important theme for Odysseus, during his adventure back to Ithica. Hospitality also played an important role for Telemachus, and the search for information about the whereabouts of his father. Without this tradition of Greek hospitality, the sequence of events in The Odyssey could have changed drastically. Not only was this Greek custom of hospitality important in The Odyssey, it was also important to Greek citizens. Just the simple tradition of hospitality, whether positive or negative, can explain much about Greek citizens, and how they treat each other.

    Read More

  • Influences of The Odyssey, The Lliad, The Gilgamesh in Beowulf

    583 Words  | 2 Pages

    The epic poem of the Odyssey begins right after the Trojan War in the Iliad. In this new poem Homer attempts to bring a new perspective of the war. He endeavored to show how the Greeks faced injustices and danger on their way back to their hometowns. Homer makes it clear that the lives of the Greeks could not be the same after the war. One of the fundamental elements of Greek lives that Northern Europe had in common with the Mediterranean is hospitality. Hospitality is important in constructing a civilized society in the poem. It is an important custom to be polite to guests. And more than often the guests will be willing to repay them with a favor. However, there are often situations in which accommodating guests is not such a good idea. A perfect example is seen in the story of Circe and Cyclop...

    Read More

  • Selfishness In The Odyssey

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before letting him leave the island, Circe tells Odysseus that he must face Scylla, a sea monster, and Charybdis, a whirlpool. Circe says, “Better by far to lose six men and keep you ship” (274). Odysseus is told beforehand that no ship could pass unscathed, but he chooses to not to tell his crew. He knowingly sacrifices his crewmembers’ lives and has no qualms about it, which shows his inner selfishness. He makes sure to protect his own life, but he sees his crew as disposable. Homer characterizes Odysseus this way in order to convey his views about humanity: humans are instinctively selfish. Odysseus also carelessley kills his remaining crew when he taunts the Cyclops. After hearing Odysseus’s name, Polyphemus prays to Poseidon and asks that Odysseus “never reaches home” but if he is destined to return, make sure he returns “a broken man—all shipmates lost, alone in a strangers ship” (228). If Odysseus had never told Polyphemus his name, he and his crew might have made it home more quickly and safely. Instead, his hubris causes an inescapable curse. Odysseus cannot bear the thought of forfeiting his fame, which leads to even more hardship on his quest to return home. Homer uses Odysseus to demonstrate the danger of egotistical

    Read More

  • Greek Xenia in The Odyssey

    1934 Words  | 4 Pages

    Other acts of hospitality are seen throughout The Odyssey. Telemachus has left on a journey to find out about his father and he comes across Nestor. Nestor shows multiple signs of good hospitality. When Telemachus first meets him, he gives everyone a feast before even asking who they are (3.76-79). Once Telemachus...

    Read More

  • Hospitality in the Iliad

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hospitality in the Iliad gives us an insight in ancient greece and was a major characteristic of their culture. In the Iliad there are many instances of the applications of hospitality in the lives of the people back then. We use the Iliad as a tool to look into their culture because this would have been passed down orally for generations as some of the only literature they had. SO their worldviews and values would be apparent in these precious tales.

    Read More

  • Xenia And Hospitality In Homer's The Odyssey

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the most prominent reoccurring themes in The Odyssey is the concept of xenia, in other words, the Greek tradition of showing hospitality to those who are far away from home, or even strangers, since he or she can easily be a god in disguise. In The Odyssey xenia is often the force that seals the fate of specific characters. It is used as a way to show the fear (or lack of fear) of the gods in the characters’ hearts. It is also often tied into the idea of temptation, by showing whether or not a character’s intentions are pure.

    Read More

  • The Odyssey

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Greek value of hospitality is exhibited in The Odyssey by Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus and his hungry men entered an unfamiliar cave, which was home to the Cyclops. Once the Cyclops saw the men he asked why they are there, and in Odysseus's explanation he mentions “It was our luck to come here; here we stand beholden for your help, or any gifts you give-as custom is it to honor strangers” (line 194). Odysseus is tried to convince the cyclops to let him and his men live by using the Greek value of hospitality. He wants the Cyclops to view him as a guest, not food. To Odysseus it was second nature to help out a guest or person in need. While Penelope was speaking to the suitors she noted “Here is a poor man come, a wanderer, driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in hall gave bits, to cram his bag” (line 1116). She shamed Antinous for not helping the man, because in Ithaca its is accustomed to provide the hungry and poor with food. The fact that Antinous “threw a stool” at Odysseus, and “banged his shoulder” appalled Penelope. The thought of doing such a thing was unheard of to Penelope since hospitality is a part of her way of life along with all other Greeks. The people of Ithaca from The Odyssey a...

    Read More

  • The Importance of Hospitality in the Odyssey

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hospitality today is nothing like it was in Ancient Greece. Today, good hospitality is being friendly and respectful to a guest. In Ancient Greece, hospitality was something people had to do, or face the wrath of Zeus. Zeus’s law of hospitality is that any stranger that comes to your home, the host must be willing to feed, entertain, and maybe offer them a bath and anything else they might be in need of without question until those things had been given, and also give them a parting gift. The guest, in turn, would not be a burden in any way. In The Odyssey, most people follow the rules of hospitality, but there are others who do not. The Greek concept of xenia shows the serious priority the Greeks place on the laws of the gods.

    Read More

  • The Odyssey

    1113 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stressed greatly in ancient Greek culture, hospitality is evident throughout Homer’s writing, which reflects and expresses many different value systems within it. For example, when in the cave of the Cyclops, Polyphemus, Odysseus confronts him by saying, “we therefore humbly pray to show us some hospitality and otherwise make us such presents as visitors may reasonably expect” (92). To the Greeks, hospitality was very important, to the point that it was an expectation and not just a quality as it is in today’s culture. If you feared Zeus and the gods, you were to show hospitality. In opposition to this, Odysseus’ request for hospitality is followed by the Cyclops stating, “you are a fool…we Cyclopes do not care about Zeus or any of your blessed gods for we are ever so much stronger than they” (92/93). In accordance to this, the greatest reason for one to show hospitality was because they believe...

    Read More

  • A Comparison Of Oizdus And Xenia In Fitzgerald's The Odyssey

    823 Words  | 2 Pages

    Translation of literature often results in many ideas and words getting lost, as the translations aren’t able to reflect the ideas and words originally crafted by an author. This is especially true in Fitzgerald’s translation of The Odyssey, in which many Greek ideas and words are lost in the translation. These include the Greek words Oizdus and Xenia, which both represent ideas that cannot be fully expressed in English because they pertain to ideas from a culture that is much different than the modern western culture that Robert Fitzgerald, the translator, lived in. The Greek word Oizdus represents the idea of deep pain and suffering and Xenia represents the ancient-Greek custom of hospitality. It is important to note that hospitality in ancient-Greece was much different than today’s version. Hospitality in the Greek world was thought of as mandatory and that refusal of one’s request for hospitality would anger the gods. In The Odyssey there is a deep entrenched connection between the ideas of Oizdus and Xenia. In his book, Homer shows that hospitality often brings pain when it is unwanted or when it is accepted without caution.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Xenia In The Odyssey

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    Xenia, at the ancient Greeks society, simply means hospitality: the standard practice of the host and the guest from various locales. Examples from providing food and drink, through offering bath and gift, and to protect and escort guests to their destination are extremely common and what seemed appropriate to expects from the host. Basic rules of xenia include how host should respect guest by not asking questions about one before one finish dining, and how guest should respect host by offering gift and to not to be a burden. Through out Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, hospitality plays a major and constant theme where it at least appeared in 12 different occasions. At Homeric times due to limitation on transportation, people can only travel by vessel or by foot, which were much slower than current sorts of transportation and made the journey back then much longer and more challenging. Additionally, there were

    Read More

  • Essay On The Importance Of Xenia In Homer's Odyssey

    1108 Words  | 3 Pages

    “That boy is your company. And if he wants to eat up the tablecloth, you let him, you hear?” In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird Calpurnia yells at Scout due to her lack of respect towards a guest. In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, this type of hospitality is known as xenia. The code of xenia has three parts: 1) Respect from host to guest. 2) Respect from guest to host. 3) The host must give a parting gift to the guest. In The Odyssey xenia allows Odysseus and Telémakhos to complete their journeys home and kill the suitors. The benevolence that Odysseus’ and Telémakhos’ hosts convey allows for Odysseus and Telémakhos to make it back to Ithaka; on the other hand, the disrespect for xenia that the suitors

    Read More

More about Hospitality In The Odyssey

Open Document