Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

932 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Topics for hospitality in ancient greece

“Hospitality” in Homeric Poetry For me the word “Hospitality” means showing a generous offer to your guests when you invite them over. When a person shows hospitality, he or she has a loving heart and are ready to serve you even if it’s inconvenient to their schedule. Having Hospitality shows that you know how to treat your guest and that you respect them enough to show them. During the ancient Greeks in the age of Homer “Hospitality” (ξενία, xenía, trans. "guest-friendship”) was based on how the Greeks allowed travelers into their home and took care of them until their stay was over. The word Xenia, was a major element part in the book The Odysseus because it showed how the Greeks …show more content…

Even though Telemakhos was upset, he still showed them hospitality because that was the right thing to do. He had no other choice but to do it because back in Homer times there were no going around it. Understanding what hospitality meant to the ancient Greek Gods, It’s safe to say they were serious about it. They thought that, if they didn’t provide hospitality to others that they’ll be punished my Gods or even killed for not showing Xenia. The Greeks had to rely on the hospitality of others for food, shelter, and protection. They welcomed travelers that were traveling alone, into their home and provided services for them. The travelers, thank them for their hospitality by bringing gifts and exchanging them with the Greeks. That was a way for them to show, they appreciated their hospitality. In book XXII, the suitors were abusing the hospitality to the point where they took over. They wasn’t taking it serious, because Odysseus wasn’t around. Odysseus shows up and,
“You yellow Hogs, you thought I’d never make it
Home from the land of Troy. You took my house to plunder,
Twisted my maids to serve your beds. You …show more content…

People aren’t inviting travelers into they’re home when they need somewhere to rest, unless it’s their family. In fact, people don’t even open their doors late at night because their afraid of what’s waiting on the other side of the door for them. Instead people, usually go to a hotel or a friend’s house they know and rest there. Whenever people are showing hospitality now, they may offer a generous gesture for you to come over to their home. They’ll greet you at the door and might even offer to take your coat. There would be servants to serve you drinks or appetizers. While you’re mingling around the room, you’re showing respect to the guests and the

Show More
Related

  • Hospitality's Role in Homer's The Odyssey

    689 Words  | 2 Pages

    The news of Odysseus remains absent, but his son Telemachus is determined to find him, dead or alive. He goes to the island of Pylos to obtain information from King Nestor and is greeted with a feast accompanied with wine, which exemplifies generous hospitality. Homer describes the scene; “When they saw the strangers a hail went up, and all that crowd came forward calling out invitations to the feast” (p.36, lines 38-40). Then during his depart the next day, Nestor provides Telemachus with a chariot, a horse, and food to continue his journey. This shows how important it was for the ancient Greeks to treat their guests affectionately. From there on, his journey is given hope when he visits Nestor who gives him insight on the possibility of his father to be alive.

    Read More

  • Greek Xenia in The Odyssey

    1934 Words  | 4 Pages

    All throughout The Odyssey there are scenes of good and bad, xenia, or hospitality. It can be seen that hospitality is extremely important in the Greek culture, both how someone treats their guests and how the guests treat the host. A closer look chronologically into the good, then bad examples will show how one acts affects the actions that are brought upon them when they either follow or disobey Zeus' Law. Right at the beginning of The Odyssey, the reader is shown the hospitality that Telemachus has. Athena arrives, disguised, and he invites her into his home by saying: "'Greetings, stranger!

    Read More

  • The Odyssey

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Greek value of hospitality is exhibited in The Odyssey by Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus and his hungry men entered an unfamiliar cave, which was home to the Cyclops. Once the Cyclops saw the men he asked why they are there, and in Odysseus's explanation he mentions “It was our luck to come here; here we stand beholden for your help, or any gifts you give-as custom is it to honor strangers” (line 194). Odysseus is tried to convince the cyclops to let him and his men live by using the Greek value of hospitality. He wants the Cyclops to view him as a guest, not food. To Odysseus it was second nature to help out a guest or person in need. While Penelope was speaking to the suitors she noted “Here is a poor man come, a wanderer, driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in hall gave bits, to cram his bag” (line 1116). She shamed Antinous for not helping the man, because in Ithaca its is accustomed to provide the hungry and poor with food. The fact that Antinous “threw a stool” at Odysseus, and “banged his shoulder” appalled Penelope. The thought of doing such a thing was unheard of to Penelope since hospitality is a part of her way of life along with all other Greeks. The people of Ithaca from The Odyssey a...

    Read More

  • The Importance of Hospitality Illustrated in Homer's Odyssey

    1706 Words  | 4 Pages

    Far removed from our individualistic society today is the ancient Greece portrayed in The Odyssey, by Homer, where hospitality and good will are the way of things. As decreed by Zeus himself, those who wish the favor of the Gods must welcome foreign and domestic with hospitality. A man was supposed to offer the best of his food, his home, and his knowledge before ever asking for his guest’s name or why he was there. There is a sense that those of high status are the main givers of hospitality, but they are not the only ones commanded to offer hospitality. Homer emphasizes hospitality from everyone during Telemachus’ and Odysseus’ journeys, using a man’s xenos, host/guest relationships, with his guest to infer his integrity and character. If a man isn’t pure, then he doesn’t show hospitality and Homer makes sure that man is put in his proper place through the vengeance of those he has wronged.

    Read More

  • The Odyssey

    1113 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stressed greatly in ancient Greek culture, hospitality is evident throughout Homer’s writing, which reflects and expresses many different value systems within it. For example, when in the cave of the Cyclops, Polyphemus, Odysseus confronts him by saying, “we therefore humbly pray to show us some hospitality and otherwise make us such presents as visitors may reasonably expect” (92). To the Greeks, hospitality was very important, to the point that it was an expectation and not just a quality as it is in today’s culture. If you feared Zeus and the gods, you were to show hospitality. In opposition to this, Odysseus’ request for hospitality is followed by the Cyclops stating, “you are a fool…we Cyclopes do not care about Zeus or any of your blessed gods for we are ever so much stronger than they” (92/93). In accordance to this, the greatest reason for one to show hospitality was because they believe...

    Read More

  • The Father Of Nestor, Old Man In The Achian Hero

    1640 Words  | 4 Pages

    In ancient Greece, hospitality was essential to the maintaining of some form of order. In a time where there was no central government and no central form of protection such as police forces, travelers relied on the good of others during their ventures. Without hospitality, traveling would have been far too dangerous in the ancient world. Shipwrecks happened often, storms could occur, pirates filled up power vacummus on the sea. Hospitality also intermingled with long-standing concepts of honor. Lavishing gifts onto visitors allowed the family name to be spread – individuals receiving guest gifts would spread the name of the gift-giver to those who came to their own homes. Nestor was a shining example of an excellent host. Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, visited Pylos to inquire about his missing father. Nestor sent his children to obtain a cow, another to cover its horns in hold, and sends another son to tell the women to prepare a large, glorious feast for their visitor. He refused to allow Telemachus to sleep on the ship, but rather offers him blankets, rugs, and a warm place to sleep within the palace. In the morning, he provides Telemachus transportation and his son as a guide to Sparta. Telemachus, though he refuses to return to Nestor’s home after they depart in fear that Nestor would keep him for days in Pylos, praises him for his

    Read More

  • The Guest-Host Relationship In Homer's Odyssey

    978 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the Odyssey, hospitality becomes a key theme to Homer and the greeks. The guest/host relationship shows how welcoming the Greeks were to every stranger at their doorstep. They believed that the gods could be disguised as common people, so they treated every guest as a god, in the case of one actually showing up. The guest/host relationship was important in many different ways, one being to keep in good standings with the gods. Guests were treated so well because the hosts were expected to be treated the same if they were the ones traveling. So basically to get good karma. It was also the way that news was circulated, hosts relied on their guests to bring them stories and news from the outside world.

    Read More

  • Xenia In The Odyssey Essay

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    “I often gave to vagabonds, whoever they might be, who came in need.” (Homer, 351) Hospitality was evident in Homer’s time period and eventually was seen as an institution in the Greek culture. A guest-host relationship, known as Xenia, takes place throughout The Odyssey whether it’s to gain relationships or to avoid punishments from the gods. It is a major theme and is apparent in every book of The Odyssey. Hospitable characters who use xenia are what keep this novel going. Xenia affects the plot in many ways and influences characters actions and choices throughout the novel.

    Read More

  • Comparing The Ideas Of Home In The Odyssey And Monkey

    1529 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is important to treat your guests with the utmost importance. It was a sign of nobility and higher status. When a guest comes to your house, you wine and dine with them and do almost anything to their request. You want them to enjoy their time and even like it more than they would their own home. Home is important to every Greek.

    Read More

  • Xenia

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    People who are in need have always been around, and will also continue to be here; therefore, the means of hospitality should be spread. Throughout Greek culture, xenia has been a prominent method for those who are in need. Homer could obviously see the importance of hospitality since he put such emphasis on it in his work. This re-occurring theme has however, lost some of its relevance through time, but can still be shared through small acts of kindness. The Bible even says to “offer hospitality to one another without complaint” (1 Peter 4:9).

    Read More

  • Hospitality Or Xenia In The Odyssey

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    (1.118-124, 130-134) Not only was he shocked a guest was at the door, he made her more comfortable than himself, not even knowing she was a goddess. This shows the gods that people are behaving correctly and putting others comfort before their own. Homer did this to introduce the hospitality theme. He went farther into detail in this passage to tell the audience what hospitality was like during that time as well as characterize Telemachus. He sounds very generous when welcoming Athena into his house and the audience starts to understand who he is.

    Read More

  • Greek Hospitality in The Odyssey

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Greeks have been known for their hospitality and politeness, especially when treating guests- whether strangers or not. This is demonstrated near the beginning of the Odyssey when Telemachus went to Pylos to visit Nestor. Nestor, not knowing who he was taking into his home as guests, treated them with great honor and respect. "Now is the time," he said, "for a few questions, now that our young guests have enjoyed their dinner. Who are you, strangers? Where are you sailing from, and where to, down the highways of sea water (p 299)?" If ever Greeks were to serve themselves before their guests or even a little better than them, then they were breaking the most basic of all Greek customs, for this tradition of hospitality was passed down from generation to generation, and breaking it would bring embarrassment and dishonor upon the home.

    Read More

  • Greek Hospitality in the Odyssey

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    Altogether, hospitality was an important theme for Odysseus, during his adventure back to Ithica. Hospitality also played an important role for Telemachus, and the search for information about the whereabouts of his father. Without this tradition of Greek hospitality, the sequence of events in The Odyssey could have changed drastically. Not only was this Greek custom of hospitality important in The Odyssey, it was also important to Greek citizens. Just the simple tradition of hospitality, whether positive or negative, can explain much about Greek citizens, and how they treat each other.

    Read More

  • Hospitality in the Iliad

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hospitality in the greek is Xenia which was the guest to host friendship and obligations of the host and guest. The giving of gifts was usually done between guests and hosts. They really strived for a symbiotic give and take relationship in which the host does most of the leg work but a honorable and good guest would give so gift or reward in return. The only time when the host could really reject or throw out a guest was when a guest violated xenia terribly to the point where Zeus would give the order to seek justice for an act of such magnitude. For example when Paris is a guest in the King of Sparta Menelaus’ house as a guest and then steals his beautiful daughter from him and runs away. The theft of a princess is a major offense and would definitely deserve some repercussions it says many times in the Iliad of how the gods disapprove of this act.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Hospitality in the Odyssey

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... hospitality should be given to a guest because of how they treat Telemachos. The Cyclops, Polyphemos, shows how xenia can be not given at all, by the way that he treats Odysseus and his men. How one disregards the rules of hospitality, and does it knowingly, is how the suitors behaved. Throughout the Odyssey, Homer writes about many different instances of good hospitality, like the people of Pylos. Homer also shows instances of bad hospitality, like how the suitors behave as guests and how Polyphemos treats his guests. No matter if it is a good or bad example of hospitality, the impression of how important xenia is to the Greeks is always present. All of the Greeks follow the rules of hospitality to the nines, for fear that they will be struck by Zeus’s lightning bolt.

    Read More

More about Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

Open Document