The Role Of Hospitality In The Odyssey

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In the movie, Beauty and the Beast, the objects, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Ms. Potts work their hardest to make Belle comfortable in the castle. They give Belle tea in the morning, a nice room, and delicious food. Hospitality was a major theme in Beauty and the Beast which resulted in a happy ending like in The Odyssey written by Homer. “The ancient Greeks valued a social society in which each person was obligated to help others when in need.” (Alvesteffer) As Odysseus was tirelessly traveling for 10 years, hospitality was essential in The Odyssey and was valuable to Odysseus. Throughout The Odyssey, hospitality is used to bring Odysseus home such as his stay with Calypso, the Phaicians, and Eumaios. Initially, Calypso saved and looked after Odysseus. After passing Scylla and Charybdis, …show more content…

When Odysseus first comes up to shore, Nausicaa finds him and tells her maids, “Come along, girls, give this stranger something to eat and drink, and a bath in the river, where he can find shelter from the wind” (Homer 77). Christen Curtis furthers that Odysseus may have seemed intimidating, however, Nausicaa felt obligated to help and taught him how to win over her father. Nausicaa allowed Odysseus to be in better shape after being exhausted for days. Her aid was similar to Calypso’s because they both helped Odysseus regain his strength. Next, once Nausicaa guides Odysseus to King Alcinoos, all the Phaicians welcome Odysseus while fulfilling his needs. “Alcinoos...has given up his son’s seat for an unknown stranger, thus fulfilling the codes of hospitality” (Verdernikoff). Hospitality was a critical factor in Greek culture that included giving up their belongings for a guest. After their celebration for Odysseus, they sailed him home and let him rest the entire trip. King Alcinoos’ action is another example of the Phaicians generosity and willingness to do anything for their

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