From what we have seen from the odyssey, Greek dinner parties were formal affairs with ritual events. The best foods and entertainment were presented to the guests to show off their wealth. We have not seen one of these actions in Trimalchio’s dinner. His foods were as bad as his entertainment. For example, as the guest applauded to Trimalchio’s verse a bizarre dish was served. A group of viscous Spartan dogs were followed by a tray, carrying an enormous wild boar with a freedom cap on its head. On the boar tusks hanged little baskets made from palm leaves. Underneath the boar were little pigs made of cake hanging from it teats. On the baskets were dates from Syria and dried dates from Egypt. The dates and the little pigs were later explained to be gifts for the guests. The guests were surprisingly appalled and speechless of such an entrance of a dish and also by the size of the boar. Not surprising to say for throughout Trimalchio’s dinner everything were served with a twist. Trimalchio serves weird food not only out of his wealth, but his real intention was to show how ignorant his guests were.
A lot had happen during Trimalchio’s feast. From the entrance of the house to the dining area was nothing but extravaganza. From extreme decoration to surprising dishes and expensive slaves Trimalchio wanted to show off his wealth. At the dinner room, for example, hors d’oeuvres served with a donkey made of rare Corinthian bronze stuffed with olives (Petronius). The guests were stunned of such presentation, and surprised he would go to such extreme to serve hors d’oeuvres. In such presentation Trimalchio was demonstrating the immensity of his wealth for even his food was served to show his status. He wanted to show that his wealth had su...
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...e stupid or not. They would only welcome them to their house with grace and love while serving them with the best meat and food in the household. It is to prove that the Odyssey shows that the host uses their food to welcome guests while Trimalchio wanted to show off his wealth and test his guest’s ignorance.
In conclusion in the Odyssey the Greeks were very kind hosts. They save the best food and the best entertainment for their guests, and the bests gifts were offered to their guests. They wanted to please their guests and be the best host that they could be to open a good relationship with their guests. But as we seen in Trimalchio as a freedman Roman he was not a good host. As a host his intention was to show off his immersive wealth and to show his guest ignorance. From his décor to the dining room and the food he served, and his vulgarity he was showing off.
This shows the value of hospitality. Telemachus allows the gross, ugly beggar into his house to ask food and expect nothing in return.
Humans cannot survive without food, which is what the subsystem subsistence is all about. Subsistence includes any part of society or “actions relating to the distribution of food resources.” In the Odyssey, the issue of distributing food is primarily seen in Odysseus’s home of Ithaca. The suitors of Penelope according to Telemachus continue to “infest our palace day and night,/ they butcher our cattle, our sheep, our fat goats,/ feasting themselves sick, swilling our glowing wine/ as if there’s no tomorrow”. In this speech by Telemachus it is seen that the best his palace has to offer is being eaten and devoured by the suitors. As the suitors are “guests” in the house of Telemachus and Penelo...
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.
The story is based around Odysseus’s journey around an unknown world. He develops the most guest-host relationships in the story based on the fact that on many occasions he must ask strangers for provisions in order for his journey to continue. “A grave housekeeper brought in the bread and served it to him adding many good things to it, generous with her provisions.”(Homer, Book 7) These provisions were needed in order for his journey home to continue. The housekeeper presented it in the act...
(1.118-124, 130-134) Not only was he shocked a guest was at the door, he made her more comfortable than himself, not even knowing she was a goddess. This shows the gods that people are behaving correctly and putting others comfort before their own. Homer did this to introduce the hospitality theme. He went farther into detail in this passage to tell the audience what hospitality was like during that time as well as characterize Telemachus. He sounds very generous when welcoming Athena into his house and the audience starts to understand who he is.
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...
Prior to a discussion of how temperance affects The Odyssey, it is good to discuss the concept of...
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.
Throughout the chapter “Dinner with Trimalchio,” we learn that Trimalchio is known for throwing sumptuous dinner parties in which his numberless guests attend. At his dinner, Petronius and most of the guests are nouveau-rich. Trimalchio is a very wealthy
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...
Life or death situations often involve food in The Odyssey and Cold Mountain. In The Odyssey, food plays a key part in Odysseus’s journeys. When Odysseus and his men arrived at the island of the Phaeacians, Odysseus did not tell the Phaeacians his story until everyone had been fed: “There is no boon in life more sweet, I say, than when a summer joy holds all the realm, and banqueters sit listening to a harper in a great hall, by rows of tables heaped with bread and roast meat” (Homer 145). The men had been fed and Odysseus beings to tell his battle stories. Odysseus tells the story of when they plundered the island of Ismaros. One of the biggest concerns of the men was the food supply: “Sheep after sheep they butchered by the surf, and shambling cattle, feasting” (146). Food plays a key role in surviving during a war, without food there would be no hope of returning home. The Odyssey shows how people will go through great hardships to obtain the necessary nourishment.
... hospitality should be given to a guest because of how they treat Telemachos. The Cyclops, Polyphemos, shows how xenia can be not given at all, by the way that he treats Odysseus and his men. How one disregards the rules of hospitality, and does it knowingly, is how the suitors behaved. Throughout the Odyssey, Homer writes about many different instances of good hospitality, like the people of Pylos. Homer also shows instances of bad hospitality, like how the suitors behave as guests and how Polyphemos treats his guests. No matter if it is a good or bad example of hospitality, the impression of how important xenia is to the Greeks is always present. All of the Greeks follow the rules of hospitality to the nines, for fear that they will be struck by Zeus’s lightning bolt.
When Odysseus is exploring the island alone, notices that there is a house on a hill. Odysseus divides his men in half, and it is Eurylochus’ group that goes to the house. All of Eurylochus’ company except Eurylochus himself enters the house, where they are given food and wine by Circe. The meal, however, is drugged, and the sailors are turned into pigs. Eurylochus hurries back to the ship, telling Odysseus that the other men have disappeared.
The table is set and the aroma of herbed chicken, buttered cheddar rolls and sweet corn risotto fills the air. This dinner party is going to be one to be remembered! I have chosen to invite three very special people to dine with my Husband and I. They each have been chosen for a very specific reason. The people I chose are; Abraham Lincoln, Mary of Bethany, and Truly Wright. The evening will be one of enlightening and enjoyment as we get to learn and converse with these amazing individuals.