Hospitality

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In modern times we see hospitality as one of the characteristics that define a good or bad person. Back in the times of Homer (the author of The Odyssey) their viewpoint was similar to the view in modern times that those who weren't hospitable were considered as barbaric and uncivilized. Homer did a excellent job of showing what good and bad hospitality is through the story of the Cyclops, the events with the suitors, and the story of Odysseus's encounter with Phaeacians. In the story of the Cyclops, both Odysseus and Polyphemus show poor hospitality toward the other. Upon arriving at the Island of the Cyclopes Odysseus and men found a cave with food in it, which they then proceeded to eat the food. After remaining in the cave the day the inhabitant of the cave returned, a Cyclops named Polyphemus. When the cyclops saw the men Odysseus requested a gift from the Cyclops. The Cyclops' response was considerably barbaric, "Nobody? I’ll eat Nobody last of all his friends, I’ll eat the others first! That’s my gift to you!" (Odyssey 148) This quotation shows both Odysseus and Polyphemu...

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