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Examples Of Hospitality In The Odyssey

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Ancient Greeks define hospitality as, “to maintain order and civility between Greeks from various regions, hospitality was not just a kindness; it was an unspoken cultural law that preserved order for a people who were simultaneously countrymen and strangers”. The Odyssey by Homer, the story of Odysseus’s journey back home, contains several moments of hospitality shown towards him and his companions, who was wandering around the ocean. Although they met dangerous situations in most of the island they landed on, the hospitality that they received from the hosts were always helpful in their journey.
Aeolus, the keeper of the winds, showed hospitality towards Odysseus and his companions and even gave them a portion of his power to help them go back home. The gifts from Aeolus as hospitality was commented by Odysseus from this quote, “..the west wind he lofted for me in a quartering breeze to take my squadron spanking home” (Homer 10.27-29). This shows what kind of gift Odysseus received and how worthy it was to him. As Odysseus and his companions wandered around the ocean already flagged by the amount of sufferings they’ve been through, they were desperate of any help. In this moment, they met Aeolus, who offered them hospitality and also gave them a precious gift, which had the power to end their sufferings by bringing …show more content…

As Odysseus readied to go back home he says, “This hour brings fulfillment to the longing of my heart: a ship for home, and gifts the gods of heaven make so precious and so bountiful” (Homer 13.49-52). When Odysseus reaches Phaeacians’ domains, he told them his situations and how badly he wants to go home. The Phaeacians, as hospitality, helped him not only to go back home, but also gave him handful of precious presents to use when he arrives. By this, Phaeacians became the most helpful people to bring about an end to Odysseus’s long

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Odysseus then breaks his jaw, not wanting to kill him with one blow. This negative presentation of hospitality does not works and Irus’ favor because it ends up causing him harm. If Irus had shared his turf with Odysseus, he would not have a broken jaw. These examples show that the abuse to someone’s hospitality or refusing to give it will almost always end up in a harmful

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Odysseus and his men were fleeting from Polyphemus’ island, he said, “ Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye…” (book 9, lines 416-418, textbook). Odysseus is being to boastful and therefore it caused him and his man to become cursed and their journey to last for several years to come. Odysseus’ actions caused his men to pay for just being too full of pride and egotistical. After encountering Aeolus, king of the winds, odysseus received a bag full of wind so they could finally return home to Ithaca, “ nine whole days we sailed, nine nights, nonstop.

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On Odysseus’ journey home he is consistently offered places to stay and given everything he needs without question by people that he has just met. The actions by these people are good examples of how to properly follow the rules of hospitality. While Odysseus has good experiences with hospitality on his journey home, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus are not having the same positive experiences. They are instead being forced to offer hospitality to a group of suitors who are attempting to sway Penelope into marrying one of them. Although Penelope and Telemachus are following the rules of hospitality by offering the suitors food and a place to stay the suitors have taken it too far and are taking advantage of the situation by doing things such as butchering and eating the animals owned by the homeowners without asking permission first.

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Odysseus expresses his appreciation for the trustworthy Eumaois and Philotios through physical rewards such as “marriages to both and cattle and houses” (397-398). Their loyalty is significant because it results in materialistic benefits for themselves, and it leads to Odysseus’ triumph over the suitors, which may not have happened as easily without their support. When slaying the suitors, Eumaois and

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Xenia, The Law of Hospitality The theme of Xenia was one of the most spotted out in The Odyssey, which is the Law of Hospitality. The Law of Hospitality is being polite to strangers who need assistance but it is more than it’s a host and guest relationship. Xenia is seen throughout The Odyssey. Xenia provides an effort of making the community a safer and better community.

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