Examples Of Hospitality In The Odyssey

Hospitality is the appropriate and generous manner in which guests are welcomed into a stranger’s home or country. Hospitality is something that is very highly valued in many cultures throughout the world past and present. During the Homeric period of The Odyssey, the Greek’s traditional custom was to be hospitable to anyone that visited their homes, regardless of whether they were a mere beggar, or a wealthy hero. The Greeks considered hospitality to be an indication of civilized society, therefore, upholding this tradition and following it accordingly was crucial. It was widely believed that the gods, (especially Zeus, the associated god of hospitality) wanted civilized persons to be hospitable to all walks of life, or they would suffer at

Odysseus is very unsightly at this point, “all crusted, caked with brine-” (6. 151) and Nausicaa is the only one what didn't flee in fear of him. Instead, she offers him assistance and orders the other girls to, “give our newfound friend some food and drink / and bathe the man in the river” (6. 230-231). Nausicaa did not even know this washed up, naked stranger’s name, but she still went out of her way to make him comfortable. Odysseus is also welcomed by her parents, Alcinous and Arete, who have him stay in their home and tell the tales of his journey. When Odysseus recounts his story thus far, there is a particular episode that undermines the custom of hospitality: Polyphemus. Odysseus and his men are accustomed to being catered to when they visit a new land, so when they didn’t find their host, they ate the Cyclops’ cheese while he was away. Polyphemus didn’t take that well, and scoffs at the idea of piety and customs of the gods, “you must be a fool, stranger, or come from nowhere, / telling me to fear the gods and their wrath!” (9. 307-308). While the Cyclops race is bore of Poseidon, they do not want any association with the gods, and live in isolation on their island without any connection or interest in traditional customs. Instead of being hospitable, he takes some of Odysseus’ men and “knocked them dead like pups.” Slaughtering guests isn't a hopeful sign of civility, and this point in the story showed a very distinct contrast from previous welcomes in foreign lands. At the end of his stay with the Phaeacians, Odysseus is offered a great deal of assistance to make his voyage back to Ithaca, at last, possible. He was provided with a ship, as well as “stores of food and wine,” “rug[s] and sheets,” and a “sea-cloak.” The Phaeacians provide him with the finest things that they have to offer, and