Free Essay on Homers Odyssey: Hospitality :: Homer Odyssey Essays

Hospitality in Homers Odyssey Hospitality Greek philoxenia literally love of strangers. Homer might have had such a translation in mind when he introduced the theme of hospitality to his epic verse the Odyssey. A multitude of reasons for the prominent position this theme plays, both in the Odyssey and perhaps in Homers own hostelry, are hinted at in the introductory books, often referred to as the Telemachy. Just two of these, viz. the hunger for news and the belief in divinity, are illustrated by the terminology and actions of the hosts Telemakhos and Nestor. The first words the reader hears from young Telemakhos are those of greeting to an noncitizen visitor. Seating the stranger in an elaborate throne to one side, providing alright worked implements, and acquiring generous portions of food and drink, Telemakhos displays the very soul of hospitality. Why? The poet states in Book 1, line 167 he wished privacy to ask for news/ near his father, gone for years. The island o f Ithaka and indeed the whole of Greece were composed of isolated pockets of civilization. Travel on the unpredictable sea and over the mainlands mountainous terrain was no subdued feat in that locationfore news of the world by any means, eve at the mouth of strangers, was welcomed and well-rewarded with hospitality. Nestors case is somewhat much entertaining. Arriving amidst a sacrificial feast to the god Posidon, Telemakhos and Athena-as-Mentor are greeted by a crowd of celebrants and invited by one son of Nestor to recline in comfort close to the lord himself, honored further by being given the opportunity to make libations to the sea god from a curious golden cup. Did Nestor believe these two were emissaries of or one plain the great earth shaker himself? Probably non, but one cigarette never be too certain in a society in which Gods are purported to walk among men. Greek culture of the time relied severely on divination and searched constantly for omens as seen in t he repeated musical theme of bird signs. The auspicious arrival of the pair likely suggested something of importance to the develop lord. As it happens, Poseidon was far off among the sunburnt races being regaled by smoke of thighbones burning at the moment and Nestor had to make due with a disguised, grey-eyed goddess of wisdom and war (Book 1, lines 36 and 39). Perhaps such cases of visiting deities were not as common in Homers Ionian Asia-Monor however, there are numerous tales of prominent dignitaries, often viewed with god-like awe, traveling incognito.