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In The Odyssey an epic poem by Homer, Odysseus goes on a twenty year voyage which includes the Trojan War when a sea nymph named Kalypso holds Odysseus captive. During this trip Odysseus meets a lot of new people and when he meets these new people they treat him like he is family, this concept is known as hospitality. In this epic poem this theme is constantly shown by some of the main characters and other characters too. Most forms of hospitality are good but at times there is also bad hospitality shown. Both positive and negative examples of hospitality exist in The Odyssey; Homer uses both these examples to suggest that good hospitality shows loyalty and nobility to others while bad hospitality shows that that person does not care about…
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In book 9 of The Odyssey, Polyphemus does not partake in the concept of xenia. After Polyphemus had finished milking his animals, he caught a glimpse of Odysseus and his men who in turn asked for “a guest gift, the sort that hosts give strangers” (9.301-302). Odysseus demanded for such a thing to portray a brave leader in the eyes of his men since “the hearts inside [them] shook” when Polyphemus entered his home (9.288). The terse response that Polyphemus received led him to eat two men because he was not expecting such an insolent answer. Odysseus continues to advise Polyphemus to “ respect the gods…[or] Zeus will avenge their rights!” (9.303-305). This does not influence Polyphemus’s idea of xenia because he and his fellow cyclopes do not…
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Though one of the men insults him Telemachus remains calm and tells them one more time to leave his home by tomorrow.One of the suitor is wondering who was at dinner with them.He then asks Telemachus he responds saying that was an old family friend.He tells him that the guests name was Mentes.Telemaachus had already known that it was Athena.After talking with the suitors Telemachus headed toward his room to go to…
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“Tell your squires to mix some more wine so that we can make a fresh libation, to Zeus the Thunderer, patron of suppliants, who deserve respect. And let the housekeeper give him (Odysseus) a meal from all she has available.” Here we see authentic hospitality and civilized behaviour towards a stranger they have just met. They are showing respect to the Gods by preparing a fresh libation for them to wish for goodness and hope for this weary traveller. They show that the Gods are a very important part of their lifestyle and that they do not think that they are better than the Gods in any way. “I wish- by Zeus, and Athene and Poseidon….” These people are believers of the Gods and wish for nothing more than to serve and please…
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Homer’s Odyssey can teach us about culture in ancient Greece through Odysseus’ voyage home. In the epic poem hospitality, or “xenia,” is expressed as a reoccurring theme. Throughout the epic poem, there are different examples of hosts and guests.…
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The ancient Greek code of hospitality xenia influenced the epic in various ways. The Phaeacians welcome Odysseus under this code. “’In accordance with our [Phaeacian] custom, let us make the immediate arrangements to escort him [Odysseus]’” (95). They followed with their custom and later saw him back to Ithaca. This influences the end of the epic greatly without the Phaeacians generous interpretation of xenia Odysseus would never have reached home and taken revenge on the suitors. Xenia was shown again when Telemachus welcomed Athene into his when she wore the guise of Mentes he fed her and asked about his father. She told him to go inquire about Odysseus’s fate. He does this and learns of no accounts of his father’s death so he was more apt…
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We have all heard the phrase, “make yourself feel at home.” In Homeric times, this phrase was meant literally. Today, we have our own form of hospitality and although it may not be as extensive and serious as it is portrayed in the Odyssey, today’s hospitality is still relatable to those times. Hospitality was expected of all guest and host relationships. Xenia held both social and religious importance, as it was believed in ancient Greece that any person could actually be a god in disguise. In turn, xenia is a very important and prevalent major theme throughout Homer’s Odyssey. The custom of xenia to the Greeks meant a lot during a time when most of the world was still savage. This is evident by Odysseus’ statement, “Now, by my life, mankind…
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Imagine a time when a person could walk up to a stranger’s door and immediately be welcomed and situated comfortably within the home. The idea that this is ridiculous and nevertheless unsafe is rather unheard of during the time of the Ancient Greeks. Hospitality is perhaps the most important and most popular quality of their society. Homer, a Greek author, tells his readers in his epic, The Odyssey, the significance of xenia demonstrated by characters when they are tested for their loyalty or when they are in need of help, representing the philosophy of the Greek culture.…
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Telemachus greets this old friend of his fathers by seating the guest in a high chair of honor, provides an astounding feast, and washing the guest’s hands with the golden pitcher. Once they feast they would then move onto the traditional questions asked. Where do you come from or what is the purpose of your travels? Athena convinces Telemachus to set off on a journey to Pylos and Sparta. Telemachus’ passage will gather the news about his father’s condition and location, or whether Odysseus is still alive. The purpose for Telemachus’ journey would be to initiate the transition from a boy to a man. Telemachus greatly thanks the guest for the advice. Telemachus persists his guest to stay longer and offers desirable gifts, just as any good host would do. “But come, stay longer, keen as you are to sail, so you can bathe and rest and lift your spirits, then go back to your ship, delighted with a gift, a prize of honor, something rare and fine as a keepsake from myself. The kind of gift a host will give a stranger, friend to friend” (Book 1, 355-360). The quote signifies the friendly relationship that a guest and host establish. By Telemachus offering gifts he hopes to keep the reputable name of his father’s land and draw recognition from the Gods to bring Odysseus…
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Citizens of Ithaca greet their guest and provide them food and place to stay. This idea is however misused by suitors who come in Ithaca after few years. They bring sheep’s and goats to Ithaca and greet the queen by giving gifts to her. They do not leave Ithaca until Penelope doesn’t choose one of the suitors and marry. Suitors violate the idea of guest host relationship by seducing women’s and drinking liquor in Ithaca. The community of Ithaca could not take any decision until the king returns and were not able to throw the suitors from Ithaca. Suitors also ordered Eurycleia to serve them every time to make food for them. Eurcyleia does complain to the Queen about their behavior but she ignores…
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In the Odyssey, hospitality is one of the most important values. In modern times people rarely think of hospitality, but in Ancient Greece it was a pillar of the social structure. In addition, this guest-host relationship, commonly referred to as Xenia, proved to be a lot more than simple courtesy. In a time period where the world was still uncivilized, demonstrating good hospitality showed the mark of a civilized person. Numerous narratives within the Odyssey illustrate the value Homer places on showing good hospitality. He does this by showing bad things happening to those who abuse hospitality such as the suitors, and good things happening to those who practice good hospitality such as Eumaeus, the loyal cowhead.…
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Have you ever had a remarkably good host? Can you recall what about the host made him or her great? Rather, have you ever had a very bad host? What was wrong with the host, so that you would remember how bad he or she was? In The Odyssey by Homer, hosts are also quite important, debatably more important than they are today. Back in the days of ancient Greece, hosts were expected to be helpful and hospitable and they were expected to serve their guests well, with generosity.…
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Unknowingly advised by Athena, Telemachus calls the assembly to complain about the wooers at his home and ask for a ship to sail in search for information concerning his father, or learn about his death. The young prince's requests are not met and Athena provides him with a ship and men. Telemachus is kindly received at Pylos by Nestor, who then sends him on his way to Sparta. There he…
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Calypso is one of the first Gods is mentioned in The Odyssey. Though she is in love with Odysseus, she lets him go and even aids him in his departure. She regrettably bids him farewell and explains how she will help, by saying “I at last will freely let you go… I will supply you with bread, water, and ruddy wine… and will send a wind to follow” (48). In this moment, Calypso shows that she cares about Odysseus’s feelings above her own. Her desire is for him to stay, while his is to leave. She knows this, and from the pureness of her heart, puts his feelings before hers. Proving that the Greek Gods were thought to be of pure heart.…
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• Faithfulness and trust: Odysseus’s wife, who is trying to wait for him to return; the men on the voyage and their loyalty to each other and their leader.…
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