The Art of Hospitality - The Greeks and the Odyssey

882 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Three examples of Greek hospitality in the Odyssey

Each culture treats strangers and guests with distinct differences from every other culture. One of the most hospitable cultures was that of the ancient Greeks, exemplified in Homer’s The Odyssey by both gracious hosts and guests. In Greece and The Odyssey, not only was good hospitality etiquette expected, but the added pressure from the conviction that the gods would punish the host if guests were treated without respect (whether they were poor or rich) further compelled excellent manners. The Odyssey illustrates the proper etiquette when dealing with guests. Whether friend or stranger, when a guest of any sort arrived the host would greet them and offer them food and drink before any further conversation or engagement of any kind would occur. If the host had considerable wealth, a maid would bring out a basin of water in a “graceful golden pitcher” to rinse their hands, seen in Book I (line 160) when Athena visits Telemachus, again in Book 4 (60) when Menelaus takes Telemachus and Athena as guests, and also in Book 7 when the King of the Phaeacians greets Odysseus. Appetizers, meats, and wines are all brought out and laid before the guest, as their coming is seen as a celebration, as seen when Telemachus is hosting Athena, “A staid housekeeper brought on bread to serve them,/appetizers aplenty too, lavishwith her bounty./A carver lifted platters of meat toward them,/meats of every sort…” (Book 1, 163-166) On several occasions, a particularly h...

Show More
Related

  • Xenia In The Odyssey Essay

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    “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.

    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

  • Hospitality Or Xenia In The Odyssey

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    The gods are perhaps the most affected by hospitality in the odyssey, probably due to the fact that they are the reason people were so courteous. As we know, people believed that they needed to be hospitable, For example when Athena first visited Telemachus, he was shocked no one had greeted her and invited her in, telling her how they would feed and entertain her, and then find out what her need is. He sat her on an elaborate chair and himself on a bench without asking for anything in return.

    Read More

  • What Goes Around Comes Around In The Odyssey

    494 Words  | 1 Pages

    “What goes around comes around”,this great saying means that kindness is key. In the Odyssey by Homer, one important theme states how hospitality and kindness are always the best policy. Temptations and Obstacles represents a glimpse of allegory in life. Friendship is also a great thing in life because it's about support through tough and good times. Always feel generous with your kindness and support like Odysseus did on his journey.

    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

    When it comes to hospitality, Greeks stand atop the list of all cultures for their generosity and politeness towards strangers. “Philoxenia” is the Greek word for “the love of strangers”. Philoxenia is demonstrated in several different cases in Homer’s The Odyssey. According to Greek customs, hospitality is respected by the immortal gods. If the Greek code of hospitality is not performed correctly, or not performed at all, the consequences may be very severe, gods may unleash their wrath to whoever does not follow this tradition of thoughtfulness. Homer suggests both positive and negative commentary on his own world through the examples of hospitalities that provide The Odyssey.

    Read More

  • Greek Xenia in The Odyssey

    1934 Words  | 4 Pages

    All throughout The Odyssey there are scenes of good and bad, xenia, or hospitality. It can be seen that hospitality is extremely important in the Greek culture, both how someone treats their guests and how the guests treat the host. A closer look chronologically into the good, then bad examples will show how one acts affects the actions that are brought upon them when they either follow or disobey Zeus' Law. Right at the beginning of The Odyssey, the reader is shown the hospitality that Telemachus has. Athena arrives, disguised, and he invites her into his home by saying: "'Greetings, stranger!

    Read More

  • Xenia

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Odyssey, a Greek hero, Odysseus, journeys back home after the Trojan War. Throughout this long voyage, Odysseus meets many people who take him in out of their own courtesy and hospitality. Within this text, the re-occurring theme of hospitality has had much significance and has also made a presence in today’s society. Xenia was common in the Greek culture; however, changes throughout society have made this form of hospitality a smaller occurrence today. Xenia, or the concept of hospitality, is the main theme present in the Odyssey.

    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

  • 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

  • Significance Of Food In The Odyssey

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    The suitors freeload on the food and supplies while they try wooing Penelope. Food and feast calls for celebration of life and guests in Greek society. The Greek code of xenia tested the hosts' hospitality, and was sometimes tested when gods came to visit. Hospitality was one of the most sacred bonds in Greek antiquity, forcing hosts to treat any guest with respect, and the guest had an obligation not to harm anyone as long as he or she was in the house. A great example would be of Helen and Menelaus and their food and silver utensils. Another example of food and xenia is when Telemachus meets King Nestor. "once they'd put aside desire for food and drink, / old Nestor the noble charioteer began, at last: / '... probe our guests and find out who they are. / Strangers— friends, who are you?'" (Homer 3.75-79). Nestor invites them to eat and settle down before actually asking who Telemachus is and what he wants. Even when Odysseus is seen alone and broken down, Nausicaa attempts to help him. "So, quick, my girls, / give our newfound friend some food and drink / and bathe the man in the river, / wherever you find shelter from the wind" (Homer 6. 229- 232). Everyone helps anyone who is in need of assistance in their society, including treating their guests with

    Read More

  • The Odyssey as a Hero Journey

    2354 Words  | 5 Pages

    book takes place in, is called to action and set in motion on his Hero

    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

  • Greek Culture as Exhibited in "The Odyssey"

    580 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Odyssey

    1113 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through characters and situations, The Odyssey promotes and emphasizes many important ancient Greek values such as hospitality, pride, and fate. 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.

    Read More

More about The Art of Hospitality - The Greeks and the Odyssey

Open Document