The hospitality of the Greeks is a central theme in Homers Odyssey - discuss.

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The hospitality of the Greeks is a central theme in Homer’s Odyssey. Much of Homer’s epic poem is devoted to descriptions of the feasting and gift giving by generous hosts. Hospitality is concerned with the relationship between guest and host. The conventions of Greek hospitality serve a number of purposes, such as pleasing the gods, pleasing guests, spreading a good reputation throughout the known world. In the Odyssey, the purpose serves particularly as pleasing the guests.

Hospitality is one of the laws of God (Zeus) in the Odyssey. Strangers may be dangerous or just as simple as a beggar. There are certain rules of hospitality needed, such as inviting a stranger into
your home, and even gift offerings. If these rules of hospitality are not carried out, the consequences are very severe. Being a good host is very important in The Odyssey, even to the gods. This is crucial to people in Homer's time because it was a way to find out news and someday they may need to rely upon someone’s hospitality themselves. Hospitality or the lack of it, affects Odysseus throughout the epic. Odysseus’ palace, while he has been away, has been taken over by the suitors who are looking for Penelope’s hand in marriage. The suitors show no kind of hospitality to strangers and have abused the hospitality of Telemachus and Penelope. Telemachus is not old enough and lacks the strength to get rid of the suitors. On his journey, Odysseus receives help from the Phaeacians, who are the ones that bring Odysseus back to Ithaca, and also from Circe. Circe shows Odysseus and his men great hospitality after he defeated her trickery. The Cyclops Polyphemus, on the other hand, shows bad hospitality by eating some of Odysseus' men.

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When I was little, my cousin (father side) came to live with us for a month for doctor internship. Also, in the Odyssey, the suitors were allowed freedom in Odysseus’ house, because the Greeks at that time were very hospitable. My cousin was very impolite, for that was all I remembered. He would walk in, pass by everyone but wouldn’t say hello.  That was the time when Michael Jordan was still playing, and there was live broadcast everyday. When I was watching sponge Bob, he would grab the remote controller from me and change it to ESPN. Maybe that’s why ...

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