Hospitality In The Odyssey Essay

Hospitality is very important in the Odyssey includes the features of culture and religion. Hospitality today is nothing like it is in the Odyssey. Today, good hospitality is being friendly and respectful to a guest and we also have the opposite. In the Odyssey, hospitality is something people had to do or face the wrath of Zeus. But, most people follow the rules of hospitality, but there are others who do not. Men are measured by the extent they give back to the society and the way they play host or guest. The book reveals those that antagonize the hero act since they fail their part of the vital contract. Guests are expected to bring presents to their host, respect the servants, house and show appreciation. The guest is often a source of

news and bearings from the extreme enviros hence, expected to sing for his supper. The host is expected to provide shelter, food, and security. Therefore, breaking these rules in the Odyssey is disrespectful to the gods and inhuman. In the Odyssey, generosity meant more than giving your guest the best connection and hosting. For every example of a good behavior such as hospitality and strong religion in the Odyssey, there are also cases of non-hospitality described.
A dominant theme in the Odyssey is the correct observance of hospitality and religion. Fagles and Knox refer to hospitality as a dominant part of “The single code of moral conduct that obtains in the insecure world of Odyssey" (45). Arriving strangers may be dangerous, but the villagers were prepared for trouble. Civilized people invest in hospitality to show their people will be treated well when they travel. In Homer's world, communication is primitive since strangers bring them the news. This is the same way Homeric learned about things and kept abreast of what is happening the world through visitors. The house of Odysseus is taken over by suitors who crudely took advantage of the traditional custom. Telemachus and Penelope lacked the strength to evict them since they believed so firmly in their traditions and religion.
In a spite of, Odysseus receives impressive help from the Phaeacians and initially from Aeolus.

Circe offered great support after Odysseus conquers her and Lotus-eaters also showed some help. The Sirens are the sweet-sounding host of death and Cyclops showed how strong he supported hospitality and religion. This is seen when Polyphemus scoffs at the generosity and the god's support. Zeus, king of the gods, is known to advocate hospitality and the suppliants who requested. "I was once a man of means my house as rich and often gave to vagabonds. However, they might be, who came in need" (Homer 351). This quote meant that Zeus the god who demanded hospitality upholds all morals. By welcoming every guest like a god, there is no mistake of treating a god differently. Odysseus is requested to pray for happiness to the gods in return for their generosity. This act proves that the only way to get a blessing from the gods is by feeding Odysseus since that what the gods wanted. This kind of hospitality is so unique that it seemed unbelievable to other

societies.
However, in the book poor hospitality is still portrayed by some characters. "he has no voyage home to his native land, no trim ships in reach, no crew to ply the oars and send him over sea's broad back" (Homer 12-19). Calypso sleeps with him as she offers him immortality. Zeus tells Calypso to release Odysseus, and she got furious. Calypso later agreed but promised to give Odyssey no escort. Her hospitality is not respectful one as per the customs guest is supposed to receive better welcoming. Based on the culture it is inhuman and not pleasing to the god's eyes to hold someone captive.
Another aspect that showed terrible hospitality is when Polyphemus returns home and found strangers. He turned out to be a different person than the visitors expected. “stranger you must be a fool, coming from nowhere and telling me to fear the gods” (Homer 36). He lurched and lunged out with his hands towards the men. He snatched them and rapped them dead like pups. This act is not usually the way visitors are treated. Polyphemus defied the gods. He is perceived to be a bad host. Strangers are supposed to be offered wine and food, but these two characters went against the norms and culture of the social setting the best example of bad hosts. Hence, hospitality and respect to gods being a must requirement from gods who rule the skies did not adhere.
The Odyssey has shows elements of good hospitality such as immediate welcoming, shaking hands, helping carry belongings and offering new clothes, meal, and wine.

But the Odyssey also shows us many examples of bad hospitality. Later people could sit and share information while discussing. Both good and bad hosting of the guest is portrayed in Homer's book. The Phaeacians portray how to respect the custom of hospitality. The Zeus god of hospitality describes how the Ithaca people believed in religion. The suitors abuse Penelope's reception, and Calypso also shows an example of non-generosity. Therefore, Homer teaches both wrong and good kindness through The Odyssey. Finally, Homer is not shown lots of good examples of good hospitality and bad hospitality but shows as well good hospitality is rewarded in the Odyssey and bad hospitality is

punished.

References
Butler, Samuel. The Odyssey of Homer. Walter J. Black, Incorporated, 1944.
Powell, Barry B. Homer and the Origin of the Greek Alphabet. Cambridge University Press, 1996