The Odyssey The Odyssey was written in the eighth century by the well-known author Homer. At the time, Homer was also known for his work, the Iliad, which went hand in hand with the Odyssey. In Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, the themes of heroism, hospitality, travel, magic, and the longing for home are explored through the eyes of the story's protagonist, Odysseus. Set in the ancient Mediterranean during the Trojan Wars, the Odyssey explores the challenges of human relationships, the trials and obstacles that Odysseus faced during his heroic journey, and the profound loyalty that Odysseus shows for his homeland. Through research, insight into the values and beliefs of ancient Greek society is gained, as well as timeless truths about human …show more content…
Homer greatly emphasizes the importance of Xenia throughout this writing and how its role was vital in building several relationships between its characters. The concept of hospitality is first introduced in Book 1. Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, sets out on a quest for information about his father’s whereabouts. Telemachus comes across Nestor and Menelaus; however, despite having no prior interactions with Telemachus, the two men welcomed him with open arms by extending the customary offerings of their hospitality, food, and drink. This encounter demonstrates the reciprocity of the nature of Xenia, where generosity and kindness between hosts and guests are exchanged, highlighting the cornerstone of this ancient concept and how it appeals to Greek society. Norton 128, 198. However, even though hospitality was considered significant, not all the characters in the Odyssey abided by the principles of Xenia. The suitors who invaded Odysseus' home in Ithaca showed absolutely no regard for the rules of hospitality; they went on to deplete all his resources and engaged in mistreating his family in his …show more content…
Athena's multiple accounts of guidance and protection help him evade obstacles such as Poseidon's wrath and obstacles, the forces that try to exert authority over mortal affairs, and the relationship between gods and men in ancient Greek mythology. Norton 196-197. Moreover, the Odyssey features a host of mythical creatures and beings, from the Cyclops Polyphemus to the monstrous Scylla and Charybdis. These encounters test Odysseus's courage, wit, and resourcefulness, again showing the hero's ability to navigate the supernatural realm. By incorporating magical and supernatural themes, Homer shows the wonder of imagination, fantasy, and adventure, transcending the boundaries of reality. For Odysseus, the home embodies his sense of identity and belonging. It is more than just a geographical location for him. Even when faced with the allure of immortality by the goddess Calypso, Odysseus remained determined to return home. Odysseus yearns for his homeland of Ithaca, driven to return to his family and reclaim his title of
In the book The Odyssey, xenia is considered sacred. If one was to show xenia in a negative way they would later be punished for it and if someone was to show xenia in a positive way they would be rewarded for it. Yet if xenia was both good and bad, how would that affect the outcome? In the story “The Grace of the Witch”, the great and beautiful Goddess Kirke shows good xenia by giving her guests a warm welcome with rich wine, extravagant feast, and tall thrones to sit upon and feel magnificent, but does it all count if she drugged them to stay? The toss between good and bad xenia is questioned when Kirke shows Odysseus and his men good hospitality but it is also threatened when they are forced to stay or must leave and head to the homes of
Understanding a story requires more than just reading words and matching them with a general definition. One needs the ability to comprehend the themes by carefully reading between the lines. The concept of xenia is displayed numerous times throughout The Odyssey. Xenia is a type of hospitality that many of the Greeks found necessary to abide by. As Carly said in her description of xenia, it "describes guest-friendship as a sort of custom of the home." In order to fully grasp the idea of the book, one must understand this Greek hospitality and the significance it served to many Greeks during this era. If there were an absence of xenia, The Odyssey would not have any cultural depth to it; instead, it would be a book solely about a war hero who experiences few obstacles on his way home. The main characters of The Odyssey followed the unwritten code of xenos, even if it was not self-beneficiary. Them being
“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.
There are numerous heroes throughout “The Odyssey,” but none of them are as significant as Odysseus. “The Odyssey” is a narrative poem written by Homer (around 800 and 600 BCE) to show the numerous adventures and experiences Odysseus goes through. Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus a prominent Greek epic hero is on a quest to return back to his home in Ithaca; to his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus. Just like real life, not all heroes are picture-perfect; they all have imperfections. In this case, Odysseus is sometimes insolent, and discourteous; but he is still considered an epic hero because of the many heroic qualities he endures. Odysseus proves himself to be an outstanding hero in various ways such as showing loyalty, intelligence, bravery, strength, and courage which are all some of the most momentous qualities found in a hero. If a true hero can prove they are a true hero, makes them a true hero.
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.
The ancient Greeks have brought upon numerous ideas, inventions, and stories to the world. Greek mythology influences modern day literature and life. The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer, which tells the story of Odysseus's journey home after the Trojan War. Odysseus does not achieve his goal of reaching home so easily; monsters and gods come in his way and hinder him. The Odyssey expresses Greek values of hospitality from the customs of Ithaca, humility from Odysseus’s reform, and loyalty from Odysseus’s family.
"Odyssey" is an epic story that has been a significant piece of literature since it was first composed and will remain so for ages to come. One of the reasons it has been so is because of the hero, Odysseus.
The Odyssey is a tale that has changed literature and storytelling. In this tale Odysseus is a Soldier from the battle of Troy trying to get home to his island of Ithaca, where he is king. His wife and son must wait ten years while he is trying to make his way home. In Odysseus’s absence wooer’s, or better known as suitors, learn of his absence and travel to Ithaca to win his wife’s hand in marriage. These men come every day feasting on Odysseus’s food and wine, and give his servant’s orders. His son Telemachus, does his best to keep the suitors from ruining his fathers house but he is only a boy, and doesn’t receive the respect of an adult. Telemachus then has a visit from the god Athena, whom Odysseus is friends with, who advises him to travel to find out about his father. In his travels he hears that Odysseus may still be alive. Meanwhile Odysseus goes through a series of adventures and hardships that prove his wisdom. It is interesting in contrast of the Iliad, even though Achilles was much stronger and a better warrior, Odysseus was portrayed as a greater hero due to his wisdom. He uses this wisdom to escape from the Cyclops.
As we begin to read the Odyssey, one of the surprising facts is that we do not meet the famed hero until we are well into Book V, on Calypso's island of Ogygia. However, during these introductory four books, we learn of the situation in Ithaca, Odysseus' plight, some of the most important themes of the story and of course Odysseus' son Telemachus. Homer keeps us in suspense, building the reputation of Odysseus by the stories of Menelaus, Helen, Nestor and all Odysseus' friends in Ithaca. Also, by building up the character and heroism of Telemachus, we are impressed by him, and as Athene says "your father's manly vigour has descended upon you". We would expect Odysseus to actually be better than Telemachus, due to his kleos ('undying fame on the lips of men') and experience ("Few sons, indeed, are like their fathers. Generally they are worse" Athene). So we learn of our main hero through words and inference, but this section of the book is key for our understanding as to the rules and practices of the Greek world in this story, and how the rest of the Odyssey will be carried out. Homer does this by bringing in all the themes that we will encounter time and again as we read on.
The epic poem The Odyssey, written by Homer, centers around the main protagonist Odysseus and his long journey back home. Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, returns home after defeating the Trojans in a ten year war. On his way back, he angers Poseidon, god of the sea, by blinding his son, Polyphemus the Cyclops. Due to Odysseus’ actions, Poseidon refuses to let Odysseus reach home, and Odysseus and his crew are forced to go through a series of obstacles throughout the epic. Through this adversity, Odysseus must show his heroic attributions in order to survive. Homer portrays Odysseus as a hero by giving him characteristics such as: craftiness, loyalty, and bravery.
middle of paper ... ... In Homer’s Odyssey, both Odysseus and his son Telemachus embark on long, difficult journeys; Odysseus trying to return from Troy to his home in Ithaca, escaping Calypso and the island of Ogygia, and Telemachus from Ithaca to Pylos and Sparta in search of his lost father. While The Odyssey tells of the courage both men demonstrate during their respective travels, their quests are the results of the intentions and desires of gods. Odysseus is trapped in exile on Ogygia by the will of Poseidon, whose anger Odysseus attracts when he blinds the Cyclops Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, and by the love of Calypso, who wishes to make Odysseus her husband.
Socrates, a Greek philosopher stated, "Look death in the face with joyful hope, and consider this a lasting truth: the righteous man has nothing to fear, neither in life, nor in death, and the Gods will not forsake him” (Socrates). This explains the basis for Greek beliefs that can be carried over to values and qualities of them. As in this, Homer, the author of The Odyssey, portrays many Greek values that make up a righteous man or as, Homer’s character Odysseus, an epic hero. The Odyssey is the story of King Odysseus' return from the Trojan War to his kingdom of Ithaca. Stories, like The Odyssey, are told with the intent of delivering a message that was important to their culture. Through characters and situations, The Odyssey promotes and emphasizes many important ancient Greek values such as hospitality, pride, and fate.
The ancient Greek concept of xenia speaks volumes about the values of ancient Greeks and how they valued hospitality, generosity, and courtesy. Throughout the Odyssey, xenia is exhibited in many settings. The first point where ancient Greek values are revealed through xenia is when Athena, goddess, disguises as Menelaus, Odysseus’ friend, and visits Telemachus. Even though his home is overrun by suitors, Telemachus quickly welcomes her, stating “Greetings, stranger. You are welcome here / After you’ve had dinner, you can tell us what you need” (Homer 1.132-133). Before that, he is “Indignant that a guest had been made to wait so long” (1.129). Telemachus exhibits how ancient Greeks valued hospitality and courtesy. Even though Athena may be
Odysseus determined to return to the city of Troy which he had long ago voyaged away from experiences many different obstacles that impede him from returning to his beloved city. The main things that assist him to return to the city of Troy, is the grace of the Gods and the hospitality of hosts, or xenia, that help him arrive safely back in his fatherland, the city of Troy. The Odyssey reveals the importance of xenia in Greek culture through inhospitable hosts that try to set Odysseus off his course to Troy and the welcoming hosts that open their home to the travelers. The inhospitable hosts determined to set Odysseus and his men off their course show the importance of xenia. They’re portrayed as disgraceful monsters or seductive women.
The Greek concept of Xenia refers to hospitality and the positive relationship created by the exchange of courtesy between a guest and host. Xenia is a custom that is traditionally followed by the Greeks, and is used as a symbol of generosity and amenity. This theme is prevalent in The Odyssey and is established as a crucial asset when recognized and observed. The Odyssey, being an epic, recounts the heroic deeds of Odysseus in a conventionally vast space and time period. Within this period, the continuity between the natural and supernatural worlds is emphasized in a way that allows the reader to understand that sacrifice comes with reward. Throughout this journey, Odysseus faces supernatural foes however also receives supernatural assistance