Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

Words: 528

Pages: 3

Open Document

The Role of Hospitality in The Odyssey The Iliad and The Odyssey are the earliest works of Greek literature, which gives the reader a remarkable portrayal of people, life, cultures, wars, and society. Homer, who is said to be the author of the two epics, uses interesting narrative techniques to explain social relationships, consequences of vice, rewards of virtues, diversified cultures, customary traditions, sacrifices, rituals, and the roles of gods. In the Odyssey, the focus is on the relationships between the hero Odysseus and the often-strange cultures he encounters on his journey back home to his family following the victory over Troy, in the Trojan War. The role of hospitality is also a major element seen throughout the long journey of Odysseus, as he depends on the kindness of strangers from other lands and cultures. Ultimately, it is hospitality that is the life line that keeps him alive and helps him return home to Ithaca. Per, Mark Puchner, who is the general editor in The Norton Anthology of World Literature, the “Homeric poem invites us to think …show more content…
Author Steve Reece has taken a deeper investigation into key aspects and elements in 18 of Homers hospitality scenes in both The Iliad and The Odyssey, which I will be using to explore the repeated themes and various meanings in the different roles of hospitality seen in this Epic. Reece notes in his book, The Stanger’s Welcome, that there are 38 elements that occur repeatedly within the 18 hospitality scenes depicted by Homer. Some of these elements include; arrival, description of surroundings, supplication, reception, feasts, drinks, identification, exchange of information and blessings, entertainment, farewell gifts, blessings, and omens

Lack Of Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

Hospitality or the Lack of Hospitality, the generous act of welcoming someone freely into your home and treating them like family, is one of the major themes of the book The Odyssey. Throughout the book Odysseus travels to different territories in his attempt to return home after being imprisoned by Calypso on her island, Ogygia, for many years. Hospitality, or the lack of hospitality, had an effect on Odysseus throughout the entire book. The owners of different islands Odysseus visit may be rude…

Words 615 - Pages 3

Hospitality In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

Odysseus has gone on many adventures after the Trojan war, but without any types of hospitality he would not have been able to complete those adventures. The Odyssey is about a King named Odysseus that has to make a voyage home after the Trojan War. There are many ways good hospitality helped Odysseus arrive home to Ithaca. Most of the gods after the Trojan war felt sorrow for Odysseus and would let him sail home. He arrived at an island with nymph named Calypso. Calypso took good care of Odysseus…

Words 592 - Pages 3

Greek Value Of Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

to their society. One must always be hospitable to stranger, despite not knowing them, for they might be an important Greek god. The four characters that would be admired by the gods for showing hospitality in The Odyssey, by Homer, would be Aeolus, the Phaeacians, Menelaus, and Circe. II. In the Odyssey, the Greek value of always being hospitable to strangers is continuously shown by the mortal character Aeolus. When Odysseus leaves the island of the Cyclops, he reaches on the Aeolian island of…

Words 709 - Pages 3

Generosity In The Odyssey

relevant by their influence on the world today. The Iliad and The Odyssey are epics studied from students to literary scholars. These ancient literature tell the story of a hero’s return, while outlining aspects of Ancient Greece. Reading Homer’s The Odyssey reveals hospitality through plot by repeating the importance of generosity in Ancient Greece, which differs from the communities of contemporary readers. Throughout The Odyssey, hospitality, or xenia, is a continuous pattern. Odysseus faces this concept…

Words 373 - Pages 2

Theme Of Motifs In The Odyssey

Themes and motifs occur in many places. In books, themes act as a thread binding the plot together. Homer’s The Odyssey presents its audience with a myriad of themes. The Odyssey especially presents the themes of perseverance, trust, and hospitality. Odysseus’ determination to make it home sets up the main conflict of the story. Because of his perseverance to see his family after a number of years, he is faced with obstacles, often posed by bored or angry gods. “She is always coaxing him…

Words 626 - Pages 3

Authority Of Telemachus In The Odyssey

The subheadings used in his paper are as follows: "Politics in/of the Odyssey," "Who Will (Make) Penelope Wed?" "Getting There and Back," "The Trick with the Beggar," and "Conclusion." Based on these subheadings, the reader can gather an idea on what each of the paragraphs will focus on before even reading the paragraph, therefore…

Words 1916 - Pages 8

Essay about xenia classics

Xenia is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home and/or associates of the person bestowing guestfriendship. The rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest and host expressed in both material benefits (such as the giving of gifts to each party) as well as nonmaterial ones (such as protection, shelter, favors, or certain normative rights). Xenia is portrayed in Homer’s Odyssey , a famous epic poem believed to have been in the 8th century…

Words 1003 - Pages 5

English Essay The Odyssey

Throughout books eight and nine of Gareth Hinds’ graphical recreation of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, the panels of images and text reflect on many poetic devices and dialogues used to illustrate the story of Odysseus and his ten year journey to Ithaca from the Trojan War. Gareth Hinds not only perfectly demonstrates the extreme importance of hospitality to guests, but also shows the consequences that come with the belief that everyone shows generosity towards strangers. There are many themes…

Words 1208 - Pages 5

Hospitality in Corinth Essay

English 2301-N1 April 25, 2013 “Hospitality Contained in The Iliad and The Odyssey” Hospitality is one of the main themes in the great works of The Iliad and The Odyssey by the poet Homer. Merriam-Webster defines hospitality as “generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests : hospitable treatment or the activity of providing food, drinks, etc. for people who are the guests or customers of an organization — often used before another noun” (“Hospitality”). In basic terms, the love for strangers…

Words 1647 - Pages 7

Archetypes In Homer's The Odyssey

universal patterns of human nature” – literary devices The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem, sequel to the Iliad, written in the 8th century BCE by Homer. The Odyssey is based on the epic hero ‘Odysseus’, who has a ten-year journey to Ithaca as he struggles to return home following the Trojan War. Throughout Odysseus’ journey, we are shown various archetypes. Archetypes focus on recurring myths and beliefs that are portrayed in a text. The Odyssey contains various types of archetypal characters, Odysseus…

Words 1418 - Pages 6