The Role of Hospitium in The Odyssey Hospitium, or Xenia, also called the guest right, was a Greek philosophy that required that all guests were to be given generous welcomes by their hosts, either with wine, gifts, or food. In Greek Society, Hospitium must be practiced by both the guest and the host. If these laws were not followed, the wrongdoing party would risk antagonizing Zeus, the protector of travelers. Besides the guest’s guidelines, there were also the host’s guidelines, which are to make sure the guest’s needs are met. Here we see that in the Odyssey, our perspective of the moral quality of the characters in the story directly coincides with their abidance or rejection of Hospitium. The fine line between the guest’s rights and the host’s duty has a major influence on Odysseus’ and Telemachus’ journey in the Odyssey. Odysseus traveled ten years after the war in Troy to get back to his family. During the journey, Odysseus met wealthy kings, seductive nymphs, monsters, and strange creatures. All of these creatures, in some way, were expected to be hospitable to the guests, but in Odysseus’ journey this was not always the case. The first observance of Hospitium, or the lack of it, is the suitors in Odysseus’ household. “While they continue to bleed my household white. Soon--you wait-- they’ll grind me down as well” (1.292). In this quote, Telemachus is talking to Mentor about the suitors taking all of the supplies in his house, and he cannot do anything to …show more content…
stop them. One of the most basic and important rules for Xenia is the guest must be courteous to the host and not be a burden. This rejection, of one of the essential rules of Hospitium, causes the eagles, which symbolize Zeus to attack the suitors. The first land that Odysseus reached was the Lotus Eaters, who tried to tempt Odysseus’ crew with delicious, delicate flowers that were so intoxicating that Odysseus’ crew lost all thoughts of home once they at them. This was considered an extreme form of the practice of Hospitium, which lead into the temptation of the suitors because the Lotus Eaters wanted to please their guests so much so that they wanted their guests to become them. Luckily, using Odysseus’ wit Odysseus left with his crew intact. Following the visit, Odysseus landed on the Cyclops' island where he met Polyphemus expecting food, wine, and gifts. Polyphemus ate two of Odysseus’ crew when he noticed them. ”We’re at your knees in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest-gift, that sort that hosts give strangers. That’s the custom. [...] Zeus of the Strangers guards all guests and suppliants: strangers are sacred” (9.301-303). Odysseus, thinking he had the right to hospitality was surprised that Polyphemus did not follow the customs that he thought were in place at the island. In the Power of Myth, great and sacred rituals explain the rites by which people are living in harmony with themselves and each other and with the universe, Hospitium would be one of these great and sacred rituals. Which Odysseus expects everybody to abide by, but this assumption of Hospitium that Odysseus has is one of his true downfalls. In the end, Odysseus ends up blinding Polyphemus, which was breaking the guest’s guidelines but was justifiable because Polyphemus broke them in a bigger way. But, ultimately both parties denied honoring Hospitium and it made their journeys much more difficult. Then Odysseus finally landed on Aeolus’s island.
Aeolus, the master of the winds was very hospitable and even gave a gift to Odysseus. “he denied me nothing, he went about my passage” (15.21). In this part of the book, Odysseus goes to a humane area where Odysseus and his crew are greeted with compassion. But, in turn, Odysseus’ crew squanders this magnificent gift due to their greed, not honoring Hospitium by misusing the gift of a god and making Aeolus reject their demand for another bag of
wind. Next Odysseus stumbles upon the land of Circe. “Suddenly she struck with her wand, drove them into her pigsties” (10.261). Circe showed little hospitality until Odysseus and his crew proved themselves. Circe was still not honoring the guest right because she blinded Odysseus’ crew. This was the only reason that Odysseus had the right to unsheathe his sword. and enter Circe’s household with the intention to use it. Once Odysseus had proved himself to Circe by not falling for her tricks and passing her tests, she truly began practicing Hospitium, but like in most cases Odysseus becomes greedy and almost squanders the opportunity she gave him by staying at her home for too long. After Odysseus escaped Calypso he met more followers of honoring Hospitium, specifically Naussica, who even asked to bathe Odysseus before leading him to be fed and entertained. “Whatever scrap we give him he’ll be glad to get. So, quick, my friends give our newfound friend some food and drink and bathe the man in the river,” (6.229). In this quote, Naussica changed her maids view on Hospitium and explained what the host should do when showing Hospitium. In the Odyssey people either exhibited Hospitium or didn’t, but after meeting Odysseus their views often changed. Such as when the Phaeacians practiced Hospitium but got Poseidon’s wrath since they helped Odysseus. Odysseus’ assumption that everyone practiced Hospitium, was his leading downfall in his quest. In the Odyssey, Hospitium was more than merely a set of manners and social customs, but actually a ritual, which placed demands on both hosts and guests.
The Honorable Odysseus & nbsp; When Odysseus returned home to his wife and son, he took a very brutal approach to rid his home of the suitors who had invaded his household. This revenge was also taken out upon the servants and maids who had been unfaithful to Penelope and had slept with the suitors. Some may say this punishment was too harsh, and made Odysseus less than an honorable man. However, Odysseus’s actions Indeed those who occupied the lord’s manor during his absence did so with no honor. But one may argue that Ody Penelope. This seems unjustifiable, and very inhumane. Odysseus was so overcome with his hate that he lost control, perhaps it was his years of denying the power of the gods that led him to brutality. Odysseus’s actions are indeed aggressive and morality at this point in his life seems to have faded. All these things considered, the validity of Odysseus’s actions remain fair. Because of his denial of the power of the gods, Poseidon forced Odysse And when Odysseus returned finally to his home only to hear of suitors and harlots about his home, he had to take revenge on them for his pain. This pain was brought about through lies and betrayal. His long journey led him through many tribulations, all of which had a direct effect on his mind. Odysseus’s defense system had to be at it’s highest at all times. For example; were in sight of it’s shores. Because of this betrayal Odysseus’s trust in his brothers was lost. His hope dwindled as his journey continued, and ate away at his consciousness. Odysseus was a man of honor, a man who had fought in a war and won. For such During this time period men were brought up on the teachings of battle. As they grew they were taught how to handle arms and were expected to hone these skills. Killing a man to took to arms picking up shields and weapons. All of these men were familiar with the ways of the time and the ways of battle. Odysseus should not be condemned for his actions. There are many justifiable reasons for the method in which he punished those who were disloyal and uncivil by the author of Poseidon.
Home was a prevalent concept in Ancient Greece. Not only was there a goddess of the hearth and home, Hestia, but hospitality towards others was highly stressed. Home was regarded as a place to escape from chaos in the outside world. Homer and Euripides in The Odyssey and Medea, respectively, use the motif of home to show the difference in an individual’s public manner versus their personal, more natural manner. This difference is caused by the different levels of comfort individuals have in different settings. Specifically, the two works portray the difference through experience of the characters, mistrust developed towards others, and the maintenance of dual identities.
“I often gave to vagabonds, whoever they might be, who came in need.” (Homer, 351) Hospitality was evident in Homer’s time period and eventually was seen as an institution in the Greek culture. A guest-host relationship, known as Xenia, takes place throughout The Odyssey whether it’s to gain relationships or to avoid punishments from the gods. It is a major theme and is apparent in every book of The Odyssey. Hospitable characters who use xenia are what keep this novel going. Xenia affects the plot in many ways and influences characters actions and choices throughout the novel.
... silver, but also the riches of a safe passage home. If he had not been polite, he would probably not have been offered a ship home. Home Sweet Home was a predominant theme in this book. Odysseus yearned for home, his family, and his kingdom. It is shown in this book that there is nothing greater than your own home. Athena shows the theme of lying is bad when Odysseus fibbed. Odysseus began to create a lie and was caught in front of a goddess. One of the less obvious themes was that the Gods are arrogant. Athena speaks of herself in a manner of praise toward herself. "I am famous among the gods for wisdom…I am here once more, to weave a scheme for you…" (296) is one of the passages which shows her arrogance. Be grateful, home sweet home, honesty, and arrogance are themes in Book 13 of the Odyssey.
Odysseus dealt with his disobedient crew. After an already difficult journey, Odysseus and his crew arrive at Aeolis, where the king Aeolus offers him wind in a bag, which had enough wind to send Odysseus’s ship back home to Ithaca. While Odysseus sleeps, the crew conspires, believing that the bag contained treasure, “Aeolus has lavished these gifts upon him. Let 's have a quick look, and see what’s here, How much gold and silver is stuffed in this bag” (Homer p.142). The crewmen opened the bag and the winds rushed out, taking them back to Aeolis’ island. Due to their curiosity and disobedience, the crew adds years to the journey. But the crew does not learn from the mistake, and the next time they disobey, the consequences were fatal. When they arrive one Helios’ island, Odysseus forbids the crew to consume the cattle of the Sun God. “But swear me a great oath, every last man: If we find any cattle or sheep on this island, no man will kill a single cow or sheep. In his recklessness, but will be content to eat the food immortal Circe gave us” (Homer p.186-87). But while Odysseus is gone, the crew disregards his instructions and feasts one Helios’ cattle. Their consequence was Zeus destroying the ship and the crew, leaving only Odysseus alive. Odysseus wishes to go home, but he cannot control his men’s ignorance. The crew’s disobedience prevents Odysseus from achieving his
Being a work of importance in the western tradition of philosophy, The Odyssey is much more than some play written by Homer ages ago. Though The Odyssey certainly is a dramatic work and partially intended for entertainment, it also provides insight into the ways of thinking of the time it has been written in. Aside from illustrating the perspective of early Greek philosophy The Odyssey also raises certain questions pertaining to virtues and the morality of actions undertaken therein. Such questions and the pursuit of their answers may also lead to a better understanding of the actions taken in present-day society and the human condition in general. One of the virtues that is present throughout The Odyssey is temperance, or the lack thereof. In the course of Odysseus' journey, numerous events take place which are determined by the actions of Odysseus' himself, as well as those of his shipmates. In fact, the endeavor here is to portray how the delays and troubles encountered by Odysseus and his crew are due to their inability to exhibit proper self-restraint in conduct, expression, and indulgence of the appetites. This is undertaken in the proceeding text by an examination of two specific episodes from Homer's The Odyssey. The first episode being Book X of The Odyssey, entitled "The Grace of the Witch", containing Odysseus' encounter with the goddess Kirke. The second being Book V under the title of "Sweet Nymph and Open Sea," of how Odysseus departs the island of the nymph Kalypso. Both episodes are intended to demonstrate the importance of temperance in the journeys of Odysseus.
“There is no safety in unlimited hubris” (McGeorge Bundy). The dictionary defines hubris as overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. In The Odyssey, Homer embodies hubris into the characters Odysseus, the Suitors, and the Cyclopes. Odysseus shows hubris when he is battling the Cyclopes, the Cyclopes show hubris when dealing with Odysseus, and the Suitors show it when Odysseus confronts them at his home.
In there travels, Odysseus and his men land on the island of Aeolia. Here Odysseus is given a gift from the wind god Aeolus. Aeolus gathers all the stormy and evil winds and places them into a bag for Odysseus voyage. Odysseus heads back to the boat and gives specific instructions to his men not to open the bag, but he doesn't tell them what is in it. His men are curious go against their kings order. "But during the voyage, the suspicious and curious sailor's open the bag, thinking it contains treasure, and the evil winds roar up into hurricanes that threaten the luckless Odysseus again."(Page 911). If his men used self discipline they would not have been delayed even more and arrive at Ithaca earlier.
Homer’s The Odyssey, a magnificent story of lust, deceit, greed, and heroism, still fascinates scholars and casual readers alike today in the same way it fascinated its audience at the time it was written. The Odyssey, a journey of determination, patience, and virtue, tells the tail of Odysseus, the main character, on his voyage home to Ithaka after the end of the Trojan War. Odysseus goes through many unforeseen trials and tribulations, which exemplify his character. During these different happenings, Odysseus makes decisions that do not correspond to his character.
With the Odyssey, Odysseus learned a big lesson in humility. The greatest example of this is in the last five books or so within the story. He has to dress, act, and live like a beggar in order to regain everything he had lost. While he was a beggar, the suitors treated him horribly. Antinous, leader of the suitors, was the worst of them all. He was the first to mistreat Odysseus and planned to kill Telemachus. He was also the one that would abuse him physically and verbally for some time to come. Also, if that weren’t enough, he planned a boxing match for Odysseus to be in to watch him get beat up. All this was happening and the other suitors were most likely following their leader in whatever he was doing. Odysseus had to control himself the whole time this was happening. If he had lost his temper, the suitors would have killed him, his son, and most likely taken over the kingdom. That didn’t happen though. Odysseus learned self-control and humility. He may not be perfect at it, but going through all the humility made him a better man. Along the same topic, he was a king going through this humility. It would be one thing for a peasant to go through it, but a king? This made it even harder for Odysseus. He had rank above all the suitors and could rightly kick them out of his kingdom. Instead he waits for the right time and kills them all. The “pre-journey” Odysseus would of thought of himself invincible and probably would have died trying to get his kingdom back.
This tale coincides with the times in Greece. This was a time that art and Philosophy were extremely important and respected by the people. Odysseus was a new type of hero that didn’t win by overpowering his opponents, but by using his mind to outwit them. Manners also seemed to play an important role to Odysseus, as he was learned to be polite and generous to strangers and in the end punished those who weren’t.
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.
Brains over brawn, who will win this battle?Homer's tale of Odysseus' adventures in “The Odyssey” show that being intelligent and cunning can be far better than having physical strength. Being physically strong certainly has its advantages, but not in all circumstances. Strength in intelligence shows new meaning of strength. Odysseus is amused with himself when he defeats Polyphemus. His great skills with a bow outweigh the others abilities. Knowledge of the placement of his bed win his beloveds heart.
Many diverse cultures are found in every corner of the world. Every culture is defined by its traditions and values. The film “The Odyssey,” depicts the culture of the ancient Greeks where it illustrates the life of a man, Odysseus, who has gone on a journey just to get back to his kingdom. Many values and traditions could be identified through the path of the journey. Some elements that are found important to the Greeks are the music, the religion, and the duty to the kingdom.
“The Odyssey” is an epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus and the story of his many travels and adventures. The Odyssey tells the main character’s tale of his journey home to the island of Ithaca after spending ten years fighting in the Trojan War, and his adventures when he returns home and he is reunited with his family and close friends. This literary analysis will examine the story and its characters, relationships, major events, symbols and motifs, and literary devices.