Based on your reading of Homer's Odyssey, what is suggested about the relationship between hosts and guests? Does Homer suggest that there are certain appropriate behaviors for host and also guest?
In your post, consider the story of Alkinoos.
Be sure to include within your post direct reference to the Odyssey, as a means of supporting your statements.
The relationship between hosts and their guest was best made clear by Echeneus, a Phaeacians elder, when he spoke bluntly to King Alcinous when he said nothing upon Ulysses arrival in Book VII of The Odyssey.
"Alcinous," said he, "it is not creditable to you that a stranger should be seen sitting among the ashes of your hearth; every one is waiting to hear what you are about to say; tell him, then, to rise and take a seat on a stool inlaid with silver, and bid your servants mix some wine and water that we may make a drink offering to Jove the lord of thunder, who takes all well disposed suppliants under his protection; and let the housekeeper give him some supper, of whatever there may be in the house" (Homer, 1897, p. 38).
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They were to be welcoming to their guest as well as provide food, clothing, and shelter. Nestor in Book III of the Odyssey shows an outstanding example of this. “When they saw the strangers they crowded round them, took them by the hand and bade them take their places. Nestor's son Pisistratus at once offered his hand to each of them, and seated them on some soft sheepskins that were lying on the sands near his father and his brother Thrasymedes. Then he gave them their portions of the inward meats and poured wine for them into a golden cup, handing it to Minerva first, and saluting her at the same time” (Homer, 1897, p.
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.
A positive host is one who welcomes their guests with open arms. Generous Greek hosts treat their guests with the highest respect. A positive host does not ask a guest of their identity, until after they dine. Greek hosts offer their guests a wide variety of meats and wines. If a host enjoys the company of his guests, he will offer gifts to them. The type of gift offered to the guest would depend on the wealth and generosity of the host. If the guest is a weary traveler and a long way from home, a host may invite the guest to stay for the night at his home. An example of excellent Greek hospitality as read in The Odyssey would be shown in the character Menelaus, towards his unknown guests, Telemachus and Peisistratus. Menelaus is quoted in The Odyssey as follows: “Welcome. Do begin your meal. After you’ve dined we shall inquire who you may be. (IV pg. 42)” Other examples of good hospitality would include King Alcinous and Queen Arete, of the Phaecians, towards Odysseus, and the king of Pylos, Nestor, towards Telemachus. Therefore, t...
The Odyssey, with its various examples of good and bad hospitality, offers the reader a look into the world of the Greeks, and the importance of the cultural element that hospitality played in their daily lives. The importance of hospitality goes beyond being a gracious host; there is a threat of violence if a host or guest does not fulfill their responsibilities. Throughout the novel, bad hospitality is punished with bad “karma” and good hospitality brings rewards to the people who demonstrate it. For example, Telemachus was highly respected because he follows the common greek archetype of being hospitable. Polyphemus, on the other hand, was not respected but instead seen as rude and inconsiderate because he was not hospitable. Hospitality
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...
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.
Growing up I was fascinated with Greek mythology. I found the bits and pieces of myth and lore highly entertaining but I seldom received anything of weight from them. Since then I have had only brief forays into the Greek world which makes The Odyssey fairly easy to pull new elements of Greek culture from. Throughout all of Homer’s epic, hospitality is mentioned again and again, highlighting two important aspects of their society. The first is how important hospitality is to them in the first place and second is their fear of retribution from the gods. This fear is pervasive and is even shown clearly by the importance of hospitality.
The guest host relationship is discovered in a number of places throughout The Odyssey. The interactions Telemachus and Odysseus have with their hosts help use to understand what xenia is and what we should expect. Each occurrence shares elements of hospitality in common. They had in common things such as the ability to have a bath, the feast, the question of who the guest is, a gift for the guest and the assurance of transportation and protection. Gift giving and respect in Homeric society allows for peace between neighboring city-states of Ancient Greece. If you show respect to a traveler when you or if you ever have to go to their home you would expect the same treatment you had once given them.
On the other side of that, there are a few instances where hospitality is not exactly shown and Odysseus begins to questions their stay. The first side of hospitality that Homer really likes to show is the Positive and that brings in a few different books such as Telemachus treating Athena with food or Eumaeus ' reception with Odysseus. While there are many great offers of hospitality, the ones of negativity are playing out within the house of Penelope or Polyphemus ' cave. Lastly, within both sides of the hospitality, there are some common elements that define whether it is indeed respectable hospitality and I believe Homer wanted the readers to picture this in the overall
The concept of guest friendship is an essential tool that promises safety in everyday ancient Greek life and the significance it carries is reflected in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. It is enforced not only by the mortals in traditional domestic settings, but also on the battlefield and by the gods themselves. The warriors in the Iliad and the Odyssey respect xenia more than they desire kleos.
In the epic poem The Odyssey, Homer illustrates that one 's nobility is determined by one 's capacity to maintain the traditions of hospitality. Odysseus has left his home of Ithaca, and has not been able return home for decades due to the Trojan War. Since he left for war, he was compelled to leave his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus, behind. Numerous suitors attempt to claim Penelope, as they want to obtain the vacant throne, but Penelope remains loyal and declines their engagement. Instead of leaving, the suitors stay in Odysseus’ residence and are distinctly unlawful and unstable. Since conformity to the laws of hospitality determines how dignified one is, one must always provide adequate hospitality to visitors, and in turn, the visitors cannot take advantage of the host. Homer shows this theme through the hospitable actions of Menelaus and Telemachus and contrasts the
In the Odyssey, as in The Epic of Gilgamesh if the person is good to their God(s) and/or Goddesses they will bestow the same hospitality upon the person. Because, Gilgamesh was good to the Gods, they were hospitable to him an helped him in battle by being victorious. "Then he escorted her to a high, elaborate chair of honor, over it draped a cloth, and here he placed his guest with a stool to rest her feet." Unknowing Telemachus, son of Odysseus, gave Athena the respect and hospitality even which a mere stranger should receive because of their values. Meaning a courteous stay with the best quality of services that the host can perform. In the Odyssey, Athena provides a spark to the son of Odysseus, Telemachus, that his father is very much
The Odyssey was written by Homer. In the Odyssey there is a lot of information on the social structure of Ancient Greece. In Social Organization in Ancient Greece it says that there was a sacred rituals of some sort call Xania. Xania is when you have to treat your guest with respect and protect them
As technology slowly consumes society, the custom of hosting a stranger, or even a friend, is gradually declining. Thankfully, The Odyssey, written by Homer, gives an example of the ideal host. The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus’ trials and tribulations as he makes his way home from Troy. As Odysseus is on his journey home, he finds himself on the island of Phaeacia. While on Phaeacia, Odysseus humbles himself and accepts the kindness and generosity the Phaeacians offer him. This is the last stop for Odysseus before his journey finally comes to an end when he reaches Ithaca. Throughout his stay on Phaeacia Odysseus will experience the ideal way to host a guest. The Phaeacians are the ideal host because they welcome Odysseus into their home without
Hospitality was very important to the ancient world. Not only was it important to them, but it’s still important now. Hospitality is the welcoming of your guest by entertainment and catering. In each book of the Odyssey, we see hospitality when a new character is introduced. Ancient greek people were taught to treat their guest well. Although, that wasn't always the case.
In the era of Homer, hospitality is a crucial part of social existence, and all Greeks put an emphasis on hospitality no matter the circumstance. Taking place in the 10 years after the events in the Iliad with the Trojan War, Homer’s the Odyssey displays notable depictions of the themes hospitality and home. In this epic, hospitality and home can be said to be major themes in the sense that it is involved in nearly every situation and ultimately affects the protagonist, Odysseus, throughout the poem. First and foremost, hospitality and home are the reasons why Odysseus suffers a prolonged journey returning home to Ithaca, specifically when he comes across Kalypso, Polyphemos, and Circe. In the years of Odysseus’s absence, his wife, Penelope,