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Recommended: Hospitality in the Odyssey

Hospitality as a theme in any literary work may not seem that it is important. However, in two pieces of work it becomes important to the telling of the story. The Odyssey is a classical Epic poem of Greek literature, written by Homer in 8th century B.C and translated by Robert Fagles. The Bible books Genesis and Exodus are collections of writings that were written down a very long time ago. Although there is one main story of the Bible, there are many translations, the New King James version which will be a source that I refer to later on. The characters in the Odyssey and the Bible show hospitality through food, banquet, welcoming in strangers and being humble in similar ways. …….Hospitality through the welcoming of strangers in The Odyssey and in both books of The Bible plays the most important role. There are certain rules of hospitality that are needed, you must invite a stranger into your home, do not ask them their name before they have sat and dined at your table, and sometimes you would be able to give gift offerings. If these rules of hospitality are not carried out, the consequences are very severe. Hospitality is to be given to all by all no matter . Being a good host is very important. It is a sign of respect for all no matter where they are from or how poor they appear to be. This rule of hospitality would mean that as soon as you see a stranger, you invite them into your home to sit at your table just as King Nestor in The Odyssey did “As soon as they saw the strangers, all came crowding down, waving them on in welcome, urging them to sit” (Homer, trans.1996, p.38). King Nestor did not hesitate to...

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...e host offers the guest the choicest meat, even when they are entitled to it themselves. “He passed them a fat rich loin with his own hands, the choicest part, that he'd been served himself” (Homer, trans.1996, p.126). This occurs regardless of wealth; while Menelaus is rich, Odysseus is not, yet gives Odysseus the best of the roast. To serve food and to give other people your own possessions, in the same status of wealth or not, shows respect and welcomes your guest with honor in any situation they are in. It is not until after the guest has had their fill that the host asks any questions about the guest or their name.
It is through our actions that we show ourselves. Some people may do things to receive something in return and some it is for the mere pleasure or giving. It is not only through these exact texts that the role of hospitality through food and

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