Strangers Are Just Friends You Have Not Met Yet

Strangers Are Just Friends You Have Not Met Yet

  • Submitted By: invisible17
  • Date Submitted: 03/08/2009 8:15 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1101
  • Page: 5
  • Views: 730

Different cultures view hospitality differently. Some cultures view the home as a private space and rarely allow visitors to enter whereas others, like the ancient Greeks, invite guests in and give them everything they have to offer before even knowing them. Hospitality was so important to the ancient Greeks because Zeus, the leader of the Gods, was the patron of hospitality. ancient Greeks were hospitable because they wanted to please Zeus; a happy god equals a successful Polis. Throughout Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, the importance of good hospitality is depicted.
The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, and his trip home from Troy after winning the Trojan War. The Odyssey is key to understanding ancient Greek life because it provides “much of what is known about the early history of the Greeks,” (Fiero 72). Homer was one of the first literary masters and his work give a glimps of what Greek life was like. The Greeks worshiped a group of gods who constantly interfered with their mortal lives. In The Odyssey, the God Poseidon curses Odysseus for making his son blind. Poseidon turns his easy trip home into a ten year long journey filled with chaos. After many tribulations, with Athena’s help, he makes it make to Ithaca where his wife, Penelope, and their son, Telemachus, are waiting for his arrival. Most people in Ithaca, including many suitors of Penelope, are convinced that Odysseus is dead. Despite this, Penelope and Telemachus consistently provide hospitality for the suitors throughout the ten years of Odysseus’ voyage. Telemachus is well aware that the suitors are taking advantage of their hospitality. He says, “Look at them over there. Not a care in the world, /just lyres and tunes! It’s easy for them, all right, / they feed on another’s goods and go scot-free” (I.185-187). Telemachus continues to welcome guest even though suitors have been taking advantage of them. When Telemachus meets with Athena disguised as Mentes, he give her a...

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