Foremost, Homer highlights the custom of hospitality to teach his readers about ancient Greek Culture. When a visitor arrives at a one’s home, the master of the house has a responsibility to treat the guest with hospitality and invite him, even if he is a stranger, into his home. Once inside, the guest shall have “a royal welcome” (1.144). He may have anything he desires including food, drinks, supplies etc. The suitors take advantage of this custom and invade Odysseus’ home when they are courting Penelope.
In Homer’s The Odyssey we almost immediately see how essential hospitality is in Book 1, when Athena disguises herself and approaches Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. Telemachus said, “Greetings, stranger! Here in our house you’ll find a royal welcome. Have supper first,
Early on, it is clear that the Greeks practice a general code of hospitality. Whenever a stranger visits, the hosts will first feed the guest before becoming acquainted with them. For example, when Telemachus visits the King Neleus, they are invited to join in on their rituals for Poseidon. It was only after they had eaten the feast did their hosts begin to question who they were (Homer, The Odyssey, Book 3, Lines 72-81). Later, Menelaus makes sure to do the same, for as he says to the lord Eteoneus, “just think of all the hospitality we enjoyed at the hands of other men before we made it home” (Homer, The Odyssey, Book 4, Lines 38-39).
The Role of Hospitality in The Odyssey Each culture treats strangers and guests differently. Hospitality is a way of life. Hospitality plays a huge role in ancient Greek life throughout The Odyssey. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, it became fundamental to telling the story. Hospitality also means that people could travel without being rejected or having no where to go.
. But first follow me inside and let me offer you hospitality.”’ We can see that Calypso speaks gently to Hermes and with respect in order not to offend her guest, which was very important in the ancient world and even now. From past knowledge we know that it was proper not to ask questions of your guest but instead welcome him into the house. Here Calypso does not fully follow that rule and starts off talking to Hermes by asking a question. This tells us that the rules of xenia can be flexible and the reason behind Calypso’s questions is surprise as she did not expect a visit from Hermes and is purely curious about the reason behind it.
Kareem Albadawi Ancient World History 1/27/11 Xenia (hospitality) Xenia is time in Greek life where if a person is needed help and didn’t have a place to stay, they would have they concept where the person in need would go to a home of a stranger and get help. The function of Xenia is a good thing not a burden. Now, the value of Xenia was sometimes used differently like violation of Xenia. Xenia reflected the community of the Greeks through examples of the stories by Socrates. Also, the emergence of Hospitality was starting to become bigger in Greek life once trade became very well known in the Greek community.
After enduring the enjoyable meal, they walked together to the door of her hotel room. Abbot was hesitant to allow him to come in but she figured it was only going to be quick. She told the “attorney gentlemen” that she was very old-fashioned about relationships but would let him come into her hotel room. Only for a moment was what she was planning since she figured all they would do is talk. Little did she know what was coming her way?
In the beginning of the novel, Dr. Matthew Swain is the first character to discover the domestic violence taking place within the Cross household through one dimly lit window. Metalious uses Dr. Swain to demonstrate a mature adult with life experience who immediately wants to take care of others’ problems without knowing the entire truth. Dr. Swain’s internal obligation to help Selena is shown when he thinks to himself, “the unwritten law about a man minding his own business is a good one. But sometimes I just don’t believe it” (27). Knowing that he is educated and trustworthy, Dr. Swain offers his help to Selena, which she later seeks.
The committer is serious about finding the right woman. He asks friends and relatives for introductions, he’s usually open to blind dates and avoids the bar scene. On the first date he is polite and will not bring up the subject of money at the restaurant. He takes her to places they can talk one on one. The non-committer just looks for a woman.
Due to the narrative being a monologue it leaves a big uncertainty of what the American’s real identity is. Also when in Greece, where he met Erica, Changez “could not prevent himself from offering to carry her backpack”. She made her feel at home. Due to Erica’s role we are able to empathise with Changez even though his character is questionable about whether he is being his real self. Receiving his dream job, Changez admitted that “Underwood Samson had the potential to transform my life as surely as it had transformed his, making my concerns about money and status things of the distant past”, at this stage he was the typical New Yorker living his American dream and knowing his own identity and where he belonged.