In the Iliad, hospitality is a reoccurring theme that can change situations, inspire character development, and link itself with other themes to make concrete points. Throughout the Iliad, situations are dramatically shifted when hospitality is used. In many cases, when things are going awry, hospitality allows the characters to, instead of acting like animals, find the humanity inside themselves. For example, in book nine, Nestor proposes a feast for Achilles to try and get him to rejoin the Greek force. Hospitality is especially important in this example, because Achilles was angry but also hospitable. If Achilles was angry but not hospitable the scene would have played out much differently. When Achilles is angry but not hospitable, like in the original fight between him and Agamemnon which …show more content…
However, Priam sought hospitality and mercy rather than revenge. Hospitality is also important because of its link with honor and glory, another common theme in the Iliad. By combining the theme of honor into situations that also relate to hospitality, characters can make concrete points and develop the story. Achilles, when being to rejoin the army by Phoenix in book nine, is hospitable, however, he is also concerned with his honor as Agamemnon had just dishonored him. The combination of these two themes allow Achilles to make the point that he will be hospitable to his friends and fellow soldiers but due to the slight on his honor he will not be able to forgive Agamemnon. This shows how hospitality becomes important in situations that involve honor as Achilles is able to be hospitable to anybody but Agamemnon, showing that, hospitality becomes more complex when linked with the theme of honor, but just as important. Overall, the importance of hospitality is characterized by its effects on situations, character development, and its link with
Hospitality is the appropriate and generous manner in which guests are welcomed into a stranger’s home or country. Hospitality is something that is very highly valued in many cultures throughout the world past and present. During the Homeric period of The Odyssey, the Greek’s traditional custom was to be hospitable to anyone that visited their homes, regardless of whether they were a mere beggar, or a wealthy hero. The Greeks considered hospitality to be an indication of civilized society, therefore, upholding this tradition and following it accordingly was crucial. It was widely believed that the gods, (especially Zeus, the associated god of hospitality) wanted civilized persons to be hospitable to all walks of life, or they would suffer at
Throughout The Odyssey there are many examples that prove the significance of the Homeric value of “hospitality.” Due to the unadvanced ways of transportation and communication, many days could be spent in an unknown location and the hosts of the location were supposed to treat the guests very well. For instance, as Odysseus arrives on the island of the Phaeacians, he is greeted with welcoming hospitality. Nausikaa, “But now that you have taken refuge here, you shall not lack for clothing, or any other comfort due to a poor man in distress (VI.205-207.104.) Clearly Nausikaa and Phaeacians are aware of the challenges Odysseus has endured and offered him clothes, food and any comfort he wants, all hospitable acts.
“Xenia”, the Greek concept of hospitality, is both followed and rejected throughout Homer’s The Odyssey, and it causes significant results in the situations expressed throughout the book. For example, when Odysseus gets back to Ithaka, Eumaios, his swineherd, does not recognize his master but still welcomes him into his hut, resulting in Odysseus eventually reuniting with his son. Even though Eumaios does not know it is his master, he still allows Odysseus to come inside and make him feel comfortable. Eumaios’s actions prove the significance of the practice of xenia throughout Ancient Greece.
In addition, when Odysseus was staying on the island of the Phaeacians,”He (Odysseus) is treated courteously and generously”(Dolan). This tells some of the characteristics of Greek Hospitality that are very important when it comes to
Xenia, The Law of Hospitality The theme of Xenia was one of the most spotted out in The Odyssey, which is the Law of Hospitality. The Law of Hospitality is being polite to strangers who need assistance but it is more than it’s a host and guest relationship. Xenia is seen throughout The Odyssey. Xenia provides an effort of making the community a safer and better community.
Agamemnon’s taking of Briseis enrages Achilles and spurs him to remove himself from the war, leading to a massive death toll in the Achaean forces. In stealing Briseis from Achilles, he is not only robbing of him of a material prize, but also a symbol of honor, his geras, in Greek culture. In retaliation, Achilles removes himself from the war and prays to his mother, Thetis, that she will ask Zeus to damage the Achaean forces. Achilles’ only goal is that “even mighty Atrides can see how mad he was to disgrace Achilles” (1.488-490). Despite having no true grievance against the Achaean army as a whole, Achilles’ rage blinds him from the potential harm that may befall his troops.
The Odyssey takes the reader on a trip of showing Odysseus’s way back home, after held on an island with the goddess Calypso for years. With the aid of Pallas Athena and other courteous gods and goddesses, he could make it home to Ithaca, and annihilate the suitors that were ill-behaved. However, before his arrival in Ithaca, he encountered and was kindly embraced in numerous stranger’s homes. One of the prime themes in The Odyssey is hospitality. No matter who someone was or where an individual has been, they would always be met with kindheartedness.
This passage that is spoken by Eumaeus represents two themes. The first is the theme of hospitality. Throughout The Odyssey, a common theme of hospitality has been shown. Eumaeus has welcomed the traveler into his home and has given him shelter and food despite the fact that he has little to offer. Compared to some of the other people that have hosted Odysseus,
Also, the fact that he contended with the top man drove his point home: he demanded respect. A man capable of capturing the respect and admiration of an army is a man capable of leading an army; inspiring them, stirring them to bravery, to courage, to wrath, to love, to sorrow, to indignation, to arms, to war. He understood the importance of the way the men viewed him, and knew exactly how to manipulate this to his advantage. Achilles was socially aware, whereas Agamemnon neglected his social
Every show of hospitality exposes the host for who they really are. The people who help Odysseus along his journey allow him to come into their home and eat and drink until he is rested and well content. Those
In the Iliad, Achilles is responding to Odysseus’s speech attempting to convince him to return to the war. Achilles’ main argument against returning is his incalculable rage against Agamemnon for “the prize of honor / The warlord Agamemnon gave me / And in his insulting arrogance took back” which is not only an insult to Achilles’ status, but also to his honor as a warrior (Il. 9.378-379). In addition to focusing on the main argument of Achilles’ speech, it is worth noting the contradictions present within his speech as well.
In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values.
The Odyssey Literary Analysis In The Odyssey, one main part in the story and in the Greek civilization is the hospitality to strangers. They take this seriously because if they take and help someone out, when they go on a trip and they need a place the people there will help them. People in Greece somewhat sound and do the same things as Buddhism, the people in Greece think if they help other then others will help them. This is like Buddhism because of their Good Karma system. Now inside of The Odyssey this only happens a couple times, one is when the suitors come into the palace, Penelope gives them wine, food and shelter.
Iliad is recognized as one of the most famous ancient monuments of literature. The full understanding of this epic poem is hardly possible without thorough analysis of its main characters. Among all the episodes of the Trojan War, Homer chooses the moment of Achilles’ wrath and thus creates a poem in which he becomes the central figure. From the Ancient Greeks’ point of view, Achilles represents the ideal of manliness and pure heroism, for he is brave and fights for heroics, not profits. Today, one can agree with this interpretation, yet Achilles is probably the most controversial character because he combines various personality traits and acts in accordance with his ambiguous nature.
The Lessons of The Iliad From a story to a literary work of art, The Iliad by Homer is still entertaining people today. As readers examine the story of “strong, swift, and godlike” Achilles, they also discover the lessons he learns (1 192). As the war rages on in Troy, Achilles is fighting a battle within himself. While the battle of Troy is important, the focus is on the rage of Achilles and how it changes through the course of the war. Throughout The Iliad, Achilles learns three important lessons: life is not fair, life is fleeting, and life is a mixture of good, bad, and chaotic.