Hospitality, the relationship between a host and a guest, is one of the most important themes that Homer portrays in his epic “The Odyssey”. In particular, Homer’s work provides excellent examples of how the ancient Greek societies had institutionalized hospitality. Indeed, hospitality was one of the most effective ways of solidifying relationships and building strong alliances between people or people and gods. Noteworthy, Homer’s work exhibits the power and influence of hospitality, a social institution that required the society to treat their guests. In fact, both gods and humans are expected to have the appropriate hospitality, which shows that guest-host relationship was an ethical norm in the Greek society. Hospitality was used as a platform for measuring human and deity’s behavior. Nevertheless, men and gods portray different ways of treating guests. While some treat their guests warmly, others violate the rules of the hospitality institution, which causes misfortune. Arguably, Homer’s aim was to describe how hospitality was both an ethical norm and a social institution, which he has portrayed using the contrasting attitudes of hospitality versus brutality.
In Homer’s work, Odysseus and Telemachus travel widely, visiting strange lands and people located far from Ithaca. Homer’s portrayal of the way the two characters are treated is an indication of how different gods and men treat their guests. In fact, the first few episodes in the epic feature the two individuals as they travel in strange lands. The interaction that both characters have with their hosts during their travels provides a good indication of the importance of hospitality and the process in which the relationship between the guest and the host is developed.
In the first episode, Homer demonstrates the development of a host-guest relationship between Telemachus and King Nestor. When Telemachus arrives in Nestor’s capital of Plyos, he finds the king and his subjects holding a major feast. He is warmly invited to the feast after he portrays humility towards them. In addition, it is worth noting that humans have a distinct code of hosting guests. In this case, Telemachus shows humility. First, he welcomed before even introducing himself. According to the rules of hospitality, guests should be made comfortable with food and bathing water before they can introduce themselves. For instance, Telemachus is given enough food during the feast. After his satisfaction, King Nestor seeks to know his identity, saying “…Now that the men have enjoyed their meal, it is the time to probe them and find out their identities.” The king continues by addressing Telemachus and his men “…Strangers- friends, who are you? Where did you come from…?” (Wilkie and Hurt 297).
It is also worth noting that humans offer gifts to their guests who show humility. For instance, Homer describes how King Nestor offered Telemachus a gift as a sacrifice for friendship. He says”…I offer you a heifer with broad brows… It has never been yoked. I will also sheath its horns with pure gold…” (Wilkie and Hurt 306). The hospitality institution also requires guests to be treated in an attractive manner. Young girls provide men with services such as bathing, an important sign of honor. For instance, King Nestor orders Polycaste, his youngest daughter, to bath and cloth Telemachus. Homer says that the young princess “…Rinsed him, rubbed him down with oil and clothed him in a handsome cap and a good shirt” (Wilkie and Hurt 347). In addition, the king ordered his men to transport the guest using the best chariots when he left the kingdom.
Similarly, Homer shows how men treat their guests with care and respect when Telemachus arrives in Sparta. Here, King Menelaus orders beautiful women to bath and cloth Telemachus before he is offered food. Although the process is the reverse of the norm in Nestor’s kingdom, the basics are the same- to treat a stranger before his identity is known. For instance, the king tells Telemachus “…Help yourself with food and feel welcome. Once you are satisfied, we will ask your name and origin…” (Wilkie and Hurt 310). Again, he is offered a nice send-off.
Moreover, the welcoming culture of humans is portrayed when Odyssey arrives in the island kingdom of Phaeacia. Here, he is treated with food, clothing, gifts and good food before he reveals his identity. Later, King Alcinious asks Odysseus “now you can tell us your story… Where do you come from…?” (Wilkie and Hurt 412).
Nevertheless, some hostile men behave badly, violating the customs and the rules of Xenia. For instance, when Odysseus meets Cyclops Polyphemus, the ruler fails to provide the guests with food, gifts or the right treatment. Instead, the Cyclops enjoys the food alone before asking the strangers “…Strangers, who are you and where did you come from…” (Wilkie and Hurt 451). In response, Odysseus tells the king “…We are men of Achaea…From Troy… We need a good welcome from you because that is the custom. Please respect the gods…We are at your mercy” (Wilkie and Hurt 451).
In some instances, humans portray violations of the norm, even when treated as guests, but the consequences are often bad. For instance, when Odysseus is away, the suitors are treated well in his house. Nevertheless, when Penelope asks them to vacate because her father was returning, they ignore the home’s owner and continue making merry. Consequently, they lose Penelope before they are killed.
Similarly, the gods act according to the custom and norms of Xenia, treating strangers well as long as they are humble. For instance, the god Zeus protects strangers and expects men to do the same. However, Zeus punishes anyone who fails to treat strangers in the right manner. For instance, Aelous, the god of winds, treats Odysseus warmly and protects him. However, Odysseus’ men are greedy. They decide to open the gifts that Aelous gives them prematurely. This act angers Aelous and prompts him to punish the men by blowing them back to the island.
However, it is also worth noting that some gods treat men well. However, they are corrupt and violate the cultural norms. For instance, although Aelous treats Odysseus and his men as his guests, he has personal interests in their story. He treats them well in exchange for the story of Odysseus because he wants to benefit from it. When he realizes that the men are greedy and might not help him, he punishes them.
In conclusion, hospitality was a highly institutionalized aspect in early Greek societies and was protected by the gods. Gods expected people to offer their guests the right treatment even before their identities are revealed. Failure to comply with these norms often led to punishment.
Works Cited
Wilkie, Briwn and James Hurt. Literature of the Western World, Volume I: The Ancient World Through the Renaissance. 2000. Print