Essay on Greek Hospitality in The Odyssey - 926 Words

Greek Hospitality in The Odyssey The Greeks have been known for their hospitality and politeness, especially when treating guests- whether strangers or not. This is demonstrated near the beginning of the Odyssey when Telemachus went to Pylos to visit Nestor. Nestor, not knowing who he was taking into his home as guests, treated them with great honor and respect. Now is the time, he said, for a few questions, now that our young guests have enjoyed their dinner. Who are you, strangers? Where are you sailing from, and where to, down the highways of sea water (p 299)? If ever Greeks were to serve themselves before their guests or even a little better than them, then they were breaking the most basic of all Greek customs,†¦show more content†¦The girls washed, fed, and clothed him. Impressed with his manliness, Nausicca told him how to get into town and appeal to her mother for even greater hospitality. Queen Arete and King Alcinous gave Odysseus the best of what they had and showed him great ho spitality. The King also offered his daughters hand in marriage, or if he desired, assistance in returning home. Nearest his throne the son whom he loved best, Laodamas, had long held place; now the king bade him rise and gave his shining chair to Lord Odysseus. A serving maid poured water for his havds from a gold pitcher into a silver bowl, and spead a polished table at his side; the mistress of provisions came with bread and other victuals, generous with her store. So lord Odysseus drank, and tasted supper (p 356). The next day Alcinous also ordered a feast and an athletic contest to be held in honor of the stranger. If Odysseus did not receive the courtesy that the people of Scheria showed to him while he was at Scheria, there would have been a good chance for him not being able to make it back to his family and kingdom. Odysseus was deceived a number of times by his assumption that he and his crew would be cared for with the same Greek hospitality and kindness they were accustomed to. One such example was when Odysseus landed on the island of Kyclops. After landing, Odysseus and twelve of his shipmates went into Kyclops lair, expecting toShow MoreRelated The Art of Hospitality - The Greeks and the Odyssey Essay871 Words   |  4 Pagesother culture. One of the most hospitable cultures was that of the ancient Greeks, exemplified in Homer’s The Odyssey by both gracious hosts and guests. In Greece and The Odyssey, not only was good hospitality etiquette expected, but the added pressure from the conviction that the gods would punish the host if guests were treated without respect (whether they were poor or rich) further compelled excellent manners. 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