Hospitality in The Odyssey Essay - 479 Words

Throughout Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus the main character in the story is tested with the true meaning of hospitality. In the heroic age, hospitality was viewed as punishment or acceptance of a stranger. While Odysseus longed for his return to home, he faced the two different kinds of hospitality offered within the heroic age. My theory is that Odysseus was provided with good hospitality when he would enter a town that allowed him to eat at their table, bathed within their baths, and sleep within their homes. The townspeople and their king often provided superior hospitality for strangers without questioning them first. Its thought that maybe the wonderful hospitality was provided in return of viewing the stranger as a†¦show more content†¦When Odysseus is introduced to the malicious Cyclops, Odysseus quickly learns Cyclops negative outlook toward strangers. While Odysseus pleads for the Cyclops acceptance by stating were at your knees in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest-gift, the sort that hosts give strangers, The Cyclops ruthlessly responded after Odysseus claimed his identity as a nobody, Nobody? Ill eat Nobody last of all his friends- Ill eat the others first! Thats my gift to you! (Homer 219-220, 223). The Cyclops appears to have no difficulty in expressing negative hospitality while he states, we Cyclops never blink at Zeus and Zeuss shield of storm and thunder, or any other blessed God- weve got more force by far (Homer 220). Although, Odysseus experienced unpleasant hospitality within his journey, he was also lucky to find townspeople and their kings that accepted strangers with a positive outlook. Odysseus invited himself to an open feast of the king and elders in Phaeacia where he begged Arete for mercy. Odysseus was observed by the feasters lying at Aretes feet begging for rapid voyage home along with praying that the Gods give good fortune to the feasters. Echeneus, the eldest Lord in Phaeacia responded by stating, This is no way, Alcinous. How indecent, look, our guest on the ground, in the ashes by the fire! Your people are holding back, waiting for yourShow MoreRelatedHospitality in the Odyssey1979 Words   |  8 PagesJacqueline Medina World Humanities Professor Brown March 13, 2011 Hospitality: Good or Bad? Hospitality as a theme in any literary work may not seem note-worthy. However, in Homers epic poem, The Odyssey, it becomes fundamental to the telling of the story. In addition to hospitality in The Odyssey, the question of is it given out of fear of retribution from the gods or out of true generosity, is raised. 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