Hospitality plays a major role in Homers timeless epic, The Odyssey. It is shown as one of the strongest motifs referred too throughout the epic. True hospitality is defined as the kindness and welcoming of one into another’s home; showing the person true care and providing for their needs, an exceptional concept of ancient Greece. Many characters throughout the epic provide Odysseus with prime, hospitable deeds in fear of making the gods unhappy, or for the simple gaining of respect and honor. In The Odyssey the important motif of hospitality is given and received in order to gain honor and respect, as well as pleasing Zeus and the gods.
Characters in The Odyssey demonstrate hospitality by welcoming unknown guests into their homes, in order to gain honor and respect. For example, When Telémakhos was on his quest to find out about his lost father Odysseus; he came across the land of Lakedaimon where there lies Meneláos’s mansion. When they entered the house the kings companion in arms, Eteóneus, was tentative to let them in, but when Meneláos caught sight of Telémakhos and Nestor’s son, Meneláos states, “could we have made it home again—and Zeus/ give us no more hard roving!—if other men/ had never fed us, given us lodging?” (4. 35-37). Meneláos fought at Troy with Odysseus, and knew Odysseus very well. When war was over, Melenáos had to travel back to his homeland. Meneláos knows that without hospitality it is nearly impossible to return home. Everyone relies on hospitality; therefor every respectable and honorable man gives. Meneláos is saying to Eteóneus that he would not have made it home if no one had helped them out. Meneláos knows he will gain honor and respect from Telémakhos if he shows him hospitality, and if he ever needs a favor in return Telémakhos would serve it. Another example is when Odysseus arrives at the palace of King Alkínoös and Arêtes. After receiving help from Naasika, disguised Odysseus is brought secretly to the palace, and with the...