Lorent D Espinoza

Journal of Classical Literature

The Odyssey: “The importance of Hospitality; best host in the Poem”

The theme of hospitality in The Odyssey is of extremely importance. The Odyssey is an anthem

to one of the most honored ancient Greek society’s value, as was hospitality. Hospitality tended

to bond Greek’s personal relationship, such as friendship and at the same time loyalty; it

symbolizes respect, honor, and justices. Although most of the host from The Odyssey did honor

their guesses, Odysseus and his son Telemakhus, the most remarkable examples of genuine

hospitality in the poem are three. Nestor of Pylos and Meneláos lord of Sparta, they gave a

great welcome to Odysseus’s son Télemakhus. At Pylos, Nestor feasted with him and offered

libation to the gods for his guess, then send one of his son to help the boy on his quest. When

Télemakhus arrives to Sparta seeking news of his father, Meneláos treats him with honors and

offered him gifts. The second example is when Odysseus arrives to the Phaiakians’s country.

Alkínoös and his daughter Nausikaa gave a warm welcome to Odysseus. The last example

comes from a servant from his own land Ithaka, by Eumanios. Most of the various host in the

rendered the proper hospitality honor to the guess but from the three main examples the best

host was Alkínoös and his daughter Nausikaa. Princess Nausikaa gave him food to satisfy his

stomach and put him clothes to cover his naked body, advised him about the attitude of the

citizens toward visitors. The Phaiakians preferred not to have contact with others, so for that

reason he might not be welcomed in the king’s halls as a guess; as for the princess, she saw no

evil on Odysseus and that is why she gave him a warm welcome. “Stranger, there is no quirk or

evil in you that I can see. You know Zeus metes out fortune to good and bad men as he

pleases him. Hardship he sent to you and you must bear it. 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”
(Book VI, 200-205). Odysseus’s success obtaining hospitality from the Phaiakians king,

Alkínoös was because he followed Nausikaa’s advices. She counsels him that in order to gain

her father favors Odysseus must first honor the queen. “On my mother’s feeling much depends;

if she looks on you kindly, you shall see your friends under your own roof in your father’s

country” (Book VI, 330-332). After Odysseus left Kalypso Island, it was for him very important to

obtain a warm welcome in the first place where he arrives; to keep high his morale, and gain

confidence to continue his journey home. After Odysseus pleaded to Arêtê the queen, Alkínoös

the king gave him the seat of honor, a silver-studded chair that belonged to his beloved son

Laódamas. The Phaiakians honored Odysseus highly, without knowing who he was, they

provided a fast ship and escorts to his journey back home, they gave him gifts, fine and rich

clothes, and gold. Alkínoös gave him a beautiful wine cup for libation to the gods, so that way

Odysseus would remember him every time he offered a sacrifice to the gods. When Odysseus

was about to leave, he tell the Phaiakians his true story. Alkínoös the king recalled at that

moment what his father long foretold. The king knew that the fifty-two young men that were

escorting his guess Odysseus to Ithaka, would not return home. Poseidon would punish the

Phaiakians wrecking their fast ship for escorting and helping Odysseus on his way back home.

Even knowing that what his father once foretold was true Alkínoös fulfill his word and send his

guess back home.

The worst host is the Cyclops Polyphémos, Poseidon’s son, to whom Odysseus asked

hospitality and some gifts. Polyphémos told Odysseus he would not care to honor Zeus offering

him hospitality, because he was not afraid of the god. Then when Odysseus gave, the Cyclop

wine and Polyphémos ask for more later, he promise Odysseus the gift of hospitality and ask his

name, Odysseus trick him suspecting the Cyclop will not fulfill his word. Odysseus was right

because the answer he got from the monster was, “Nohbdy’s my meat, then, after I eat his

friends. Others come first. There’s a noble, gift now” (Book IX, 385-387) to avenge his friends

and escape from the cave Odysseus blinds the Polyphémos. The Cyclop in pain calls his father
for help. Since Polyphémos was Poseidon favor son he enraged against Odysseus and his

companions; that the reason why he punished Odysseus to wander over twenty years in the sea

before he made his way back home.

Work Cited:

Lawall, Sarah; general editor “The Norton Anthology of World Literature” 2nd ed., Vol. A.; W. W

Norton Company Inc; NY, New York; 2002 “The Odyssey”; (p.225-530)