Summary:
The theme of hospitality is very important and prevalent in the Greek culture. Zeus considers it one of the most important customs a Greek can practice, and takes personal offense if hospitality is not shown.
Hospitality is one of the most important and heroic facets of Greek culture that needs to be covered when examining the story line of the Odyssey. There are many settings within the Odyssey that contain both positive and negative connotations of hospitality, and it is important to explore both sides and see how they relate to each other.
The most common situation or scene from the ancient Greek literature often appears to be the scenes in which the characters are in foreign lands, lost, or just plain weary. This results in the need for hospitality to be shown to the travelers. Hospitality was shown to wandering strangers and wayfarers for several reasons. The most obvious of these, was that the host may himself, one day, be in trouble and need to call upon the generosity and helpfulness of a different random stranger. This practice of blind hospitality was also heavily smiled upon by Zeus.
There are many examples of positive hospitality, in the Odyssey, that Homer provides the reader with. One of the first stories that is told in the Odyssey, is a recounting of how Telemachus treats the very beautiful Athena. Athena is in disguise as a man, Mentes, and is serving as a guide and minor mentor for Telemachus. While many of the suitors simply bypass Athena's character, Telemachus goes out of his way to provide hospitality and service to his unidentified guest. Another great example of the theme of hospitality is when Telemachus travels to visit Nestor and Menelaus. These are two men, who have fought along side Odysseus, and have many storied to recount to the young son of the legend. They do everything that is in their powers, and wealth, to make Telemachus comfortable and content. In Pylos, Telemachus is given information about his father. After his dealings in Pylos, Telemachus makes his way to the land of Sparta.
Telemachus then travels to the island of Menelaus, Sparta. Menelaus greets Telemachus with a great reception, and he is recognized as Odysseus' son before a large gathered crowd at the palace. Menelaus takes very good care of Telemachus as his guest. Athena (still in disguise as Mentes) was not treated as well as her goddess status afforded her to be. After another recollection of old stories, and war legends, Telemachus was able to once again set sail, still in search of his father, Odysseus.
The first time we are truly introduced to Odysseus and a situation with positive hospitality, is when he manages to make it to the island of the Phaeaceans. This is a group of people and society that was incredibly giving and generous to Odysseus. In order to assist in getting Odysseus home, the king of the Phaeaceans gave him the gift of wind. It was very powerful, and was to be kept in the bag at all times, under all circumstances. As the weary crew approached Ithaca, a few over zealous crew members opened the bag. The immediate swirling seas and rocky waves destroyed their ship, and sent them sprawling right back to the island of the Phaeaceans.
The final aspect of positive hospitality that is shown in the Odyssey, is by Eumaus, the old swineherd of Odysseus. Eumaus uses his very appropriate upbringing (he was kidnapped royalty) in order to provide help to Odysseys (in disguise as a beggar) all the help and wealth he can afford to share, in his meager setting. Odysseus used this moment as a test for Eumaus, to find out who was loyal and who could not be trusted.
There are also many negative examples of hospitality in the Odyssey. There are two large, overbearing examples that stand out above the rest, however. The first is the scene with Polyphemus, the Cyclops, and his cave. Odysseus and his crew stumble onto the island, inhabited by the Cyclops. Polyphemus pretends to be interested in being a host, but turns violent and aggressive when he eats Odysseus' men. Odysseus defeats the Cyclops and his bad manners by using the name gouging his eye out that night. The next morning, after the fight with the Cyclops, he waits for him to open the huge stone door, then makes his escape. Using the name "No Man" ("No Man" is hurting me) and simply just walking right out of the cave back to freedom. The second main instance in which negative hospitality is shown, is the ongoing, recurring experience with the suitors. The suitors violate all basic laws of hospitality. They loot, pillage, and plunder, and spend all of Odysseus estate, while wasting away Telemachus inheritance. There are several times in the book, when foreshadowing predicts their doom, but the problem still remains with their continual disrespect Odysseus' house. Once Odysseus shows up, he reclaims his home through a fight with the suitors, that leaves every last one dead. This act 'cleanses' the house, and helps restore some semblance of order and respect to the household.
The theme of hospitality is very important and prevalent in the Greek culture. Zeus considers it one of the most important customs a Greek can practice, and takes personal offense if hospitality is not shown. This is very important, especially when one is trying to win the favor of the gods. The positive examples of hospitality are a good example of what it meant to be a good host, while the few examples of negatives hospitality show just how rare rudeness can be. And when this does occur, shows that it is dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
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