Hortencia Angel

Professor Peer

English 2800 – KTRB

12 October 2017

Dear Reader,

In this essay I was hoping to prove how the importance of rituals, whether its sacrifices to the Gods or hospitality, is partially based on the influence the Gods have on people’s lives. They can influence the course of action you take, your decisions, life obstacles, and even your normal routine such as sleep. Rituals are believed to be based on beliefs and religion. Throughout the Odyssey we see several examples of how the Gods intervene in mortals’ lives. The conclusion I arrived at was that these rituals, particularly the sacrifices to the Gods, are out of fear that they’ll be punished. If sacrifices aren’t made to them, then they risk repercussion concluding that it is part of rituals because in a sense it is enforced as such. On the other hand, hospitality rituals in the text are beyond what we’d expect in today’s norm. Providing your guest with courtesy and accommodation is what we are used to but not luxurious gifts or anything of the sort. Hospitality is a custom that speaks of the character of the person whose home is being visited. In some examples described in the book we see these positive demonstrations of generosity but there were some instances where we see the complete opposite. The hospitality that the people give shows their morality and beliefs. As I revise this writing, I need to work on showing more concise analysis on how each piece of evidence makes a point and supports it. I think another thing that may need more work on could be connecting the pieces of evidence.

The Line between Fate and Devotion

The value of rituals, specifically sacrifices and hospitality, is an essential theme within The Odyssey as it is a symbol of the interaction between mortals and the Gods. Mortals are always offering sacrifices to the Gods for any matter. When it comes to hospitality, guests are welcomed and indulged immediately with attention, food, drinks, and bedding. But the nature and motive behind these rituals is questionable; whether it’s because it has always been their method of religious tradition or because they’re aware of the Gods capabilities. Rituals are part of mortals’ everyday lives but the question is, is it out of sincere desire or out of enforcement? Or perhaps they do so in attempt of gaining the Gods on their side in time of need? The influence that the Gods have on people’s lives pushes them to perform these rituals for fear of punishment and ultimately to please them.

Gods are deeply involved in the mortals’ lives to the point sacrifices are constantly made to them, perhaps out of fear of repercussion or to obtain a sense of loyalty. An instance in which sacrifices are offered occurs in Pg. 408 where Alcinous, Lord of the Phaeacians, tells his herald, “Pontonous, mix the bowl and serve wine to all, so we may pour libations also to Zeus, Lord of Thunder, who walks beside suppliants” (408). Pouring libations, sacrificing animals, and saying prayers to the Gods are so common among the people it is part of their customs. Their rituals can be out of pure devotion or because of the high involvement the Gods have in their lives. Throughout the Odyssey we see constant reverence to the Gods on the belief that if they don’t do so they’ll upset them and be punished. Such example is shown in Pg. 373 when Menelaus tells Telemachus and his companion of the time when he failed to offer sacrifice to the Gods. He recalls by saying, “I was in Egypt, held up by the gods, because I failed to offer them sacrifice. The gods never allow us to forget them.” His choice of words is intriguing because he states to what degree the Gods affect their choices and behavior. The words “never allow us to forget them” gives the impression that if a mortal were to not offer sacrifices then the Gods would unleash their displeasure and possibly anger. Menelaus was punished for having forgotten about the Gods and his lack of acknowledgement and respect towards them affected this journey. It shows that they expect respect and to be remembered.

Menelaus also states “A good sailing breeze never rose up, and all my supplies would have been exhausted, and my crew spent, had not one of the gods taken pity on me and saved me” (373). This brings up an important thing to note; the Gods can manipulate a person’s course of life to their will. If one God inflicts conflict and obstructs a mortal’s path another has the ability to intervene to save them. The Gods oversee everything and are aware of who offers sacrifices to them. Therefore, it can be interpreted that the Gods favor and support those mortals who merit their guidance. If a mortal has pleased a God by always offering ritual sacrifices to them then their gratitude and loyalty is not ignored. As Menelaus pointed out, the Gods will favor those who keep them in mind and sacrifices to them, punishing the ones who don’t.

The Gods play a significant role in influencing people’s path of life. Their influence can range from simple small decisions to whether a person lives or dies. In Book Four, the Old Man of the Sea tells Odysseus, “You should have offered noble sacrifice to Zeus and the other gods before embarking if you wanted a speedy journey home” (375) during their encounter. Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca has been largely influenced by the Gods, including Poseidon, Calypso, and Athena, but the God that has always stayed by his side is Athena. She not only helped him with his journey but also with protecting his family. Throughout the text we see how Odysseus has always offered sacrifices to Athena and thus can conclude that doing so gained the favorability of the God because it shows his respect and gratitude towards her. Although he praises Athena he does forget about some of the other Gods throughout his long journey which stirs their anger.

We also see another instance where Athena plays an even more crucial role: influencing the death of people. When Odysseus confronts the suitors and starts shooting arrows at them she aids his targeting ensuring he misses none. On Pg. 594 the scene of the suitors fighting back is described by “They took their advice and gave it their best, but Athena made their shots all come to nothing.” In this scene, the goddess Athena guides Odysseus in carrying out his vengeance. His success is mainly due to Athena’s help. The willingness for Athena to help Odysseus shows just one of the types of relationship that the Gods can have with mortals.

Hospitality is believed to be a traditional norm among people, but within the Odyssey it is displayed in two perspectives and in extreme levels. Such is the case of the suitors gathering in Odysseus’ house rummaging through his property, courting his wife, and taking advantage of his absence. They demonstrate lack of respect and courtesy as is expected by the Gods. The suitors’ offensive behavior is the reason why Athena favors Odysseus and reacts indignant to the form in which the suitors are dishonoring Odysseus and the family in his own home.

Another instance of this positive hospitality perspective is displayed when Alcinous, lord of the Phaeacians, welcomes Odysseus with very generous hospitality. He provides him with the basic offerings of accommodation: food, drinks, bedding, and even departing gifts. His wife, Arete, tells Alcinous “It is not proper that a guest sit in the ashes on the hearth…Come, help the stranger up and have him sit upon a silver-studded chair…And let the housekeeper bring out food for our guest” (407-408) Alcinous and his family offer sincere help to make their guest feel at home even though he doesn’t initially know who his guest is. Throughout the text we see how guests are welcomed regardless of their background. Arete and Alcinous provide Odysseus with the hospitality ritual that’s norm within their society and as deemed appropriate by the Gods. Arete mentions it is not proper to have Odysseus sit in ashes and the reasoning behind these words are because as part of the hospitality ritual you are expected to help your guest with their needs and treat them. Their gifts to Odysseus are a symbol of not only their generosity but also of their compliance with the Gods’ sacrifice ritual expectations.

We also see the extreme opposite case of what we perceive as hospitality. In Book Nineteen the scene described between the Cyclops Polyphemus and Odysseus’ men could be a representation of cannibalistic hospitality. Odysseus and his crew visit the Cyclops’ land doubtful of what welcome they’d receive. Contrary to what we’d expect Polyphemus actually makes dinner out of some of the men, Odysseus’ crew members. The Cyclops gives Odysseus and his crew an unwelcoming scene, “This brought no response from his pitiless heart but a sudden assault upon my men. His hands reached out, seized two of them, and smashed them to the ground like puppies…He tore them limb from limb to make his supper, gulping them down…” (432). The horrific act of eating your guests rather than hosting them and giving them proper hospitality is contrary to the generous hospitality demonstrations we’ve seen. It is an exhibition of the lack of hospitality rituals.

The relationship mortals and the Gods have is a combination of expectation fulfillment and devotion. The hospitality and sacrifice rituals depicted in The Odyssey is a social, moral, and religious tie. These rituals are a norm among society followed by most and deemed as right by the Gods. People offer sacrifices to the Gods out of willingness to gain their approval and loyalty. Their treatment toward their guests are out of the Gods’ expectations of mortal behavior.

Works Cited

Lombardo, Stanley. “The Odyssey.” The Norton Anthology: World Literature (Volume A), edited by Martin Puchner, et al., W. W. Norton & Company, 2012, pp. 332-622. Print.