An epic is a very long, narrative poem that usually tells of a heros deeds. What are 3 examples of times when odysseus demonstrated epic herogod like qualities in the odyssey. The great difference in character between the greek epics and the bible expresses very well the great difference in character between the. Throughout the odyssey there are many ongoing themes, but one of the most. Evidently one was expected to welcome anyone who showed up at ones door, few or no questions asked. The major themes in the odyssey are especially significant because they serve to form the moral and ethical constitution of most of the characters. It was written according to tradition by homer, who was also the author of the other great greek epic, the iliad. Thinking of hospitality as a major theme in a literary work may seem odd to modern readers. The odyssey is a greek epic written sometime in the late 8th century b.
Sure, odysseus had those little incidents with circe and kalyposbut he didnt really mean it, since he never in his heart gave consent. What are some quotes about the value of hospitality in the odyssey. Readers hear of the captive and long absent odysseus, observe the council of the gods, and learn of the trouble that. Examples of hospitality in the odysseyrepresent greek hospitality xenia.
Having formed my open borders views, and even written a book about it. Loyalty is one of the odysseys most important virtues. Every homeowner shows it, and every guest expects it. Hospitality in homers time was well shown through long travels such as. In book 9 of homers odyssey, what are some quotes about. Greek values that are found in the odyssey are, bloyalty. Hospitality played a vital role in the way a person went about life and lived. Telemachus, the focus of the first four books of the odyssey, provides an early example of good hospitality as both a host and a guest. Xenia is presented in books 1 4 of the odyssey through the hospitality telemachus gives and receives, and the response to their hospitality. The most striking example of loyalty in the epic is, of course, penelope, who waits.
Hospitality signifies the host and guest relationship. Homer might have had such a definition in mind when he introduced the theme of hospitality to his epic poem the odyssey. Using this definition, there is only one place odysseus could show hospitality, and that is when he returns to his. One concern of hospitality is the relationship between guest and host and focuses on the sharing of wealth, knowledge, and accommodation. The odyssey is an epic poem that served an educational purpose for those who heard it. What are some good examples of hubris in books 912 of the. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The odyssey can be thought of as a manual for a host of how to and how not to show hospitality to a guest and vice versa.
Examples of hospitality in the odyssey hospitality theme essay. Oct 10, 20 xenia is presented in books 14 of the odyssey through the hospitality telemachus gives and receives, and the response to their hospitality. Odyssey essay on hospitality, an essay fiction fictionpress. The basic form of narrative in the odyssey is very strongly oriented towards imagery. Homer opens the odyssey with an invocation to the muse of epic poetry and asks for her guidance in telling the story of a man who has experienced many twists and turns of fate and has suffered many hardships. In homers world, however, hospitality is essential. How is xenia shown in the first four books of the odyssey. We discussed one of these themes, hospitality, and the other themes on this webpage are very interesting as well. Layers of meaning in the odyssey if you would like to learn more about some of the hidden themes throughout the odyssey, such as spiritual growth, loyalty, perseverance, and hospitality, take a look at this site. Odysseus, the reader is told, is the only greek survivor of the trojan war who. As early as book 1 we see that odysseus wife, penelope and son. The elements of xenia, of hospitality and the guesthost relationship, have.
For example, when someones car breaks down most people would welcome them into. Summary and analysis book 1 athena inspires the prince. The more complicated a character is, the more he or she engages these major themes. Dec 30, 2019 another interesting factor to consider is the concept of the guesthost relationship in ancient greek culture and how it plays a factor in the theme of hospitality in the odyssey melisa et al. Hospitality in the odyssey by ciara nicolaou on prezi. Theres nothing better than when deep joy holds sway throughout the realm and banqueters up and down the palace sit in ranks, enthralled to hear the bard, and before them all, the tables heaped with bread and meats, and drawing wine. These rules govern the relationship and behavior of hosts and guests in ancient greece. Hospitality is the basic root in the odyssey, by homer. The many stories of banquets in the gospels presuppose the practice of hospitality for important events and transition moments. What are some examples of hospitality in the odyssey. Apr 01, 2011 the odyssey may be viewed as a study in the laws of hospitality pittrivers and is full of examples of both good and bad xenia, where good xenia is rewarded and bad xenia is punished.
The odyssey and the iliad were to the greeks a little like the bible to the jews. Epics begin in medias res in the middle of things and explore a vast world or universe, generally that involves mythological landscapes such as the home of the. Explain your views and support them with details from the poem. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the odyssey and what it means. The nucleus of these laws was the treatment towards another whether a guest or a host. Homer wrote the odyssey in a poetical meter called dactylic hexameter.
The art of hospitality the greeks and the odyssey essay 871 words 4 pages. One of the most hospitable cultures was that of the ancient greeks, exemplified in homers the odyssey by both gracious hosts and guests. Evidence that xenia was integral to greek society can be found in the fact that zeus, the king of the gods, was also portrayed as the god of xenia. Most of the epic is filled with descriptions of the feasting and gift giving by very generous hosts. H ere are four examples of hospitality in the bible hospitality. Essay on greek hospitality in the odyssey 926 words. An epic of old mali, the theme of hospitality runs thick throughout the narrative, as sundiata is greatly affected by how the other characters receive him. In book 1, telemachus shows examples of good xenia. The act of xenia was perhaps the most important greek custom out of all because you see it being performed time and time again throughout odysseus journey home. In book 1, athena comes to ithaca in disguise as the hero mentes to convince. The reader learns about the characters through the themes. About the odyssey the odyssey summary character list glossary themes quotes and analysis books 1 4 books 58 books 912 books 16 books 1720 books 2124 symbols, allegory and motifs metaphors and similes irony imagery the fractal structure of epics literary elements related links essay questions quiz 1 quiz 2 quiz 3 quiz 4 citations. So within the odyssey, hospitality is important enough that those who dont practice it are punished.
Telemachus calls the assembly because his house is plagued with guests who will not leave. The odyssey moral values depicted are those of loyalty, selfcontrol and family. All five incorporate at least one of the themes in the odyssey by homer and are broad enough so that it will be easy to find textual support, yet narrow enough to. Likewise, odysseus shows very poor hospitality by slaughtering the 108.
Sparknotes and shmoop the two have financial disaster by financial disaster summaries of the odyssey. Book 1 book 2 book 3 book 4 book 5 book 6 book 7 book 8 book 9 book 10 book 11 book 12 book book 14 book 15 book 16 book 17 book 18 book 19 book 20 book 21 book 22 book 23 book 24 themes all themes fate, the gods, and free will piety, customs, and justice cunning, disguise, and selfrestraint memory and grief glory and honor. Significance and consequences of xenia in the odyssey the. The apostle paul says that we should contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality rom 12.
Even when death is staring odysseus in the face, he expects. May 05, 2011 the aspect of hospitality in the odyssey is a central theme. He cant stop himself from insulting polyphemus personally, for a reason ill mention, and worst of all, ins. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Book 1 introduces some of the multitudes of characters, many interwoven plots, and significant themes encountered during odysseuss return home. Here is this stranger, i do not know who he is, come wandering suppliant here to my house from the eastern or western people. May 23, 20 in particular, hospitality is perhaps the foremost moral theme of the odyssey, one of the two great epics of ancient greece. There are several examples of hospitality in the odyssey, and they all reflect very much the same values and customs.
The odyssey and the iliad were to the greeks a little like the bible to the. What are some quotes about the value of hospitality in the. The aspect of hospitality in the odyssey is a central theme. In one of the more controversial sections of the epic, poseidon takes his. The gods of hospitality in homers iliad and odyssey in homers the iliad and the odyssey, much is made of hospitality as a recurring theme. Another interesting factor to consider is the concept of the guesthost relationship in ancient greek culture and how it plays a factor in the theme of hospitality in. Hospitality in the odyssey study guides and book summaries. Telemachus is in a difficult position because he is not seen as an. In the odyssey, by homer, odysseus experiences various forms of hospitality. Epics begin in medias res in the middle of things and explore a vast world or universe, generally that involves mythological landscapes such as the home of the gods. While presentday people usually treat it as a mere act of kindness towards guests, it was an unwritten law in the ancient times.
A multitude of reasons for the prominent position this theme plays, both in the. The theme of punishment and reward for how xenia is offered runs throughout the odyssey, starting with odysseus encounter with the cyclops. Hospitality and destiny in the odyssey and sundiata studymoose. Each form of hospitality, whether generous or cruel, distinguishes the civilized hosts from those. In homers odyssey, many examples of this are apparent, whether they are for the benefit or the downfall of the protagonist odysseus. Why is xenia such an important theme in the odyssey. Examples of hubris in the odyssey demonstrated by the suitors.
Feb 04, 2018 actually, the best example is odysseus loss of his cool at the end of book 9, when he has triumphed over the cyclops and is sailing away. One concern of hospitality is the relationship between guest and host and focuses on the sharing of. In being mortified that a guest might still be standing at the doors, he shows his humility and servitude towards his guest. Honoring a guest was important to a host because it meant pleasing the gods and. Another interesting factor to consider is the concept of the guesthost relationship in ancient greek culture and how it plays a factor in the theme of hospitality in the odyssey melisa et al. For example, the grave importance of hospitality was a subject of a series of greek myths and legends, and in their most famous homeric epos, iliad and odyssey. Defying hospitality throughout the development of humanity, the random group of societies have been historically allequipped to deal with challenges the state of disorganization is not conducive to advancement of society due to the chaotic nature of existence on planet earth. One of the swineherds here would lend a wrap now they spurn me. The nature and extent to which society today follows in that tradition has changed in form only, but not in substance. The value of xenia on a heros journey a centralized idea in ancient greek society was the value of xenia. However, odysseus is not the only one whom hospitality rules.
Hospitality consists of gifts, traditions, and kindness shown throughout. Nov 27, 2011 hospitality played a vital role in the way a person went about life and lived. The notion of hospitality is so strong in the world of the odyssey that guests can even be considered part of ones family. The hospitality shown by these characters was common courtesy in ancient greece, and though it would be rare to see an american invite a complete stranger into ones home, it would be instinctual for one of greek culture to take that stranger in and offer them food, shelter, and protection without hesitation. Hospitality the major themes in the odyssey are especially significant because. Get an answer for what are some quotes about the value of hospitality in the odyssey. Hospitality is a very important and widely recurring theme hosts who do not give good hospitality are usually punished. Hospitality in the ancient world was considered highly important and often sacred. What are examples of greek values shown in the odyssey besides hospitality and family values. They claim they have the right to stay because penelope will not remarry. Examples of hospitality in the odyssey hospitality theme.
The iliad portrays the laws of hospitality in the plot and in its background. Much of the first half of the epic features telemachus and odysseus arriving at. In an accurate reflection of ancient greek culture, rules of hospitality are among the most revered social and religious laws in the odyssey. Readers hear of the captive and long absent odysseus, observe the council of the gods, and learn of the trouble that penelope and telemachus face back home in ithaca.
Homer teaches about both good and bad hospitality in the odyssey through odysseus and the trials he endures on his journey home. Homer uses the various colorful epithets to fit in with. The wecome isnt nicelyintentioned, circe even nonetheless it. It relates historical stories with fantastical elements of myth, legend, and divine intervention. In homers epic poem the odyssey, both odysseus and his son telemachus journeys include frequent encounters of hospitality. Finally, the suitors display hubris by having no regard for common decency and lack of respect towards others when they take over odysseus home and family, because they believe that, as royalty, they have a right to do it. Then alcinous said to one of the servants, pontonous, mix a cup of wine. Xenia is presented in books 14 of the odyssey through the hospitality telemachus gives and receives, and the response to their hospitality.
An example of hospitality shown in the form of gifts is when odysseus is in polyphemus cave. The development of xenia and its role in the odyssey a really. The odyssey books 14 summary and analysis gradesaver. Hospitality essay sample there are many different themes in the odyssey, but the most prominent theme homer portrays in his epic poem is hospitality or xenia. Men are measured by the way they play host or guest, and those that antagonize the hero often do so by failing their part of this important contract. The odyssey thesis statements and essay topics below you will find five outstanding thesis statements for the odyssey by homer that can be used as essay starters or paper topics. In the case of hospitality refused, the disciples are to move on. This means that there are six metrical units, or feet, in each line. In particular, hospitality is perhaps the foremost moral theme of the odyssey, one of the two great epics of ancient greece. His experiences range from the generous hospitality of the phaeacians to the deathly hospitality of the cyclops. He is the example throughout the epic poem of a good guest. Xenia was the greek word for what we know as hospitality. Examples of hospitality in the odyssey hospitality.