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Hospitality in Homer s Odyssey is a central theme of the epic poem. Throughout the story, we are given scenarios in which hospitality, both on the part of the guest and the host, plays a key role in the events that transpire immediately afterward. This tradition, evident in Greek mythology and custom, serves many purposes as the epic unravels. Through exploration of these scenes, we will discover things about Greek customs, character differences, and the role of the gods in determining how future events will be played out.
That is, a good or bad act of hospitality can oftentimes alter the outcome of events in a good or bad way. In comparing and contrasting different instances of hospitality throughout The Odyssey, the significance of this theme will be better understood. It is important to understand that hospitality in The Odyssey is much different than any modern definition or custom we have today. Today, hospitality is thought of as entertaining friends and hosting parties. This is quite the contrary to the ancient Greek view of the same subject.
To them, hospitality meant offering all you had if only to feed and house a complete stranger. The hosts sincerely believed that it is wrong to send any strangers packing every stranger and beggar comes from Zeus. (XIV 64 - 66) As an extremely evident aspect of their culture, we see examples of this extreme form of hospitality scattered throughout The Odyssey. For instance, during Telemachus travels he encounters King Nestor at his palace and is given shelter, entertainment, food, and gifts. Afterwards, Telemachus leaves to visit King Menelaus, and again he is greeted with a comparable welcome.
Homer wishes to exemplify these occurrences early in the story, emphasizing the theme of hospitality. This is to offer a somewhat more descriptive view of their native culture. As is the tradition in Ancient Greece, a good host offers food, gifts, shelter, and protection to all those in need of help. Whether it be a prince in distress, or a lowly beggar looking for a place to stay, the people of ancient Greece realized the importance of extending a helping hand to all those in need. Examples of the good host are shown throughout The Odyssey. A very prevalent example of good hospitality occurs in the aptly titled Book XIV, Hospitality in the Forest.
Here, we see the swineherd Eumaios as the definition of the good host. Homer goes to great lengths here to stress the theme through a dialogue between Eumaios and the disguised Odysseus. Well, give up trying to win me with false news or flattery. If I receive or shelter you, it is not for your tales but for your trouble, and with an eye on Zeus, who guards a guest. (XIV 453 - 456) The scene between Eumaios and Odysseus raises important points about the tradition of hospitality. It is in this book, that the theme is most apparent and well explained.
The scene is meant to teach the values that are expected of people in Ancient Greece. Eumaios also comments on those who do not comply with Greek tradition: Our fat shoats are all eaten by suitors, cold-hearted men, who never spare a thought for how they stand in the sight of Zeus. (XIV 99 - 101) Eumaios comment about the bad guests is an important one. It reveals the consequences of those who do not concern themselves with the gods. It simply shows that the act of hospitality is directly related to how people favor in the eyes of the gods. So, a fear of the gods is a definitive reason behind people s motives for treating people so hospitably.
Many scenes throughout the story showcase instances of good and bad hosts. For now, let us focus on the bad host. A prime example of a poor host comes in the form of the Kyklopes. In Book IX, Odysseus and his men arrive on a strange island. Curiosity soon takes over, and Odysseus and his men find themselves in a mountain cave. Empty, but obviously inhabited, the men soon plead to steal the food and lambs owned by the inhabitant.
As a good guest, Odysseus says: I refused We lit a fire, burnt an offering then sat in silence waiting. (IX 248 - 253) When the Kyklopes returns, he immediately shows his anger toward Odysseus and his men, for they have intruded upon his home. In custom with Greek traditions, Odysseus and his men expect food, gifts, and shelter. Unfortunately for them, they get anything but. he clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering on the floor. Then he dismembered them and made his meal. (IX 313 - 316) Here we see an obvious example of bad hospitality, but a close reading reveals that perhaps both parties are at fault. One has to ask if Odysseus and his men were right in inviting themselves into someone else s home.
Although they expect to be treated in tune with Greek custom, is it not Greek custom to be a good guest as well? Homer makes sure that the audience is well aware of both perspectives. In a more flattering description of the Kyklopes than previously shown, Homer describes him while tending to his flock. Sweet cousin ram, why lag behind the rest in the night cave?
You never linger so, but graze before them all Can you be grieving for your Master s eye? (IX 487 - 494) We see in great detail the care and tenderness the Kyklopes shows while attending his flock. He seems a good shepherd and not totally evil. This episode is particularly interesting in that we see both the good and bad sides of the host and the guest. Both parties are essentially wronging the other; hence Zeus chooses to punish both. The Kyklopes loses his eye, and Odysseus not only loses most of his crew, but also incurs the wrath of Poseidon and delays his homecoming.
The Kyklopes was much more extreme in his actions, and this is why his punishment is more severe. He was blinded in his only eye, and cannot even see the flock that he nurses and loves, whereas Odysseus is bound to come home sooner or later. The Odyssey is interesting in that there seems to be no absolutes. There is no ideal good host or good guest; there are just different degrees of each. For instance, when the Phaiakians show Odysseus generous hospitality in accordance with Greek custom, the gods punish them for helping someone they are toying with. The Phaiakians do not know the gods intentions for Odysseus homecoming.
They are simply showing the good hospitality that Greek tradition requires. Interestingly enough, it is their act of good hospitality that gets their ship turned to stone. Perhaps the closest thing to an absolute in The Odyssey is the topic of justice. Justice is prevalent throughout the work, and is almost always carried out. Whether it be revenge of the gods against mortals, or the act of Odysseus reclaiming his home, justice is well served. This ties in well with what the theme of hospitality means to the story.
Homer wishes to teach his audience about right and wrong. The story is designed to show that turning your back on someone in need is wrong, and is against human nature in general. A universally simple theme perhaps, but important and predominant nonetheless.
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