Odysseus and Calypso
Hospitality in the Odyssey
Throughout the book The Odyssey, the author Homer uses a variety of settings to explore the theme of hospitality. Hospitality today is nothing like it was in Ancient Greece. Today, good hospitality is being friendly and respectful to a guest. However, in Ancient Greece hospitality was something people had to do or face the wrath of Zeus. Zeus’s law of hospitality was that any stranger that comes to your home, the host must be willing to feed, entertain, and maybe offer them a bath and anything else they might be in need of without question until those things had been given, and also to give them a parting gift. The principle of hospitality was so important that it could determine ones fate. Examples of the good host are shown throughout the story. For instance, in book four, King Menelaus made it clear that all strangers were to be welcomed and treated as if they were his own.
Also, many people help Odysseus during his journey home. The Phaeacians, who sail Odysseus home to Ithaca and take good care of him were well known for being very hospitable people. And his own servant Eumaeus, when Odysseus appears as a strange beggar at the end of the story, he offers Odysseus food and comfort. Penelope and Telemachus they also demonstrate hospitality by allowing the suitors to stay in their house and do whatever they want. Furthermore, there are also examples when hospitality is disrespected. For instance, when the cyclopes did not show hospitality to Odysseus and his crew, he held the hostile. He was punished and Odysseus was let free thanks to the gods.
In conclusion, this tale shows us how in many ancient cultures, especially with the Greeks, hospitality and gift giving were each a very important custom. From the book The Odyssey, it is evident that uncivilized or inhospitable people were maltreated while those who were hospitable and thus civilized were appreciated and respected. This concept creates the idea of how their rule breaks up people into the two groups produced by society: civilized and uncivilized. Now, what do you think is hospitality as customary now as it was in ancient time?
I couldn’t agree more with the significance of hospitality, as it’s shown throughout the story. As you mentioned, Zeus is the god of hospitality. Being that Zeus is the highest god of them all, we can see that the idea of hospitality was held in high regard in Greek culture. I also like your point about the consequences of being inhospitable. Towards the end of the text, the hero Odysseus decides the fate of those around him by testing their hospitality when he is disguised as a beggar.
Personally, when a guest is present at my house, my family and I make sure that they have sometime to eat and drink, if they desire. When I was younger, I thought that was it just something you had to do, unaware that it was really a cultural value.
I think that in some cultures hospitality is still very important. My family is of Hispanic decent and we are constantly hosting events in our homes. Whenever my mother or aunt have family or friends come over, they always bring out the nicer plate settings and coming to and from the kitchen with snacks or coffee. I think it’s more about making your guest feel comfortable and welcomed in your home than giving gifts like in Ancient Greece; however, some cultures do some form of that. My stepfather’s family is from China and they usually give these red envelopes of money to other members of the family (usually to the children and young adults who aren’t married). I believe it’s for good luck/fortune.
Hi Julia. I like that you mention that Zeus is the god of hospitality. I think that the Greek culture in ancient time have no choice but to be hospitable. If they didn’t, then they knew the consequences. So, I think that they were not honest because they were afraid of the god and goddess’s punishments. Now if you ask me about today’s society in New York City I would say that it all depends on the moment, time, and place. My personal opinion, I don’t mind helping others but I will think twice to invite an estranger into my house. There is no god or goddess to punish me if I say no. After all we are New Yorkers, we can use this as an excuse.