The Epic Poem The Odyssey - 1459 Words

Hospitality has been around and important to cultures for almost forever. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, there are many themes, but the theme of hospitality reoccurs throughout the entire epic. This epic takes place in Ancient Greece after the Trojan War. The main character, Odysseus, is on a journey back home to Ithaca after being away for ten years. Along the way, he must make stops and stays in the homes of the different people during his journey. The individuals that are hosting the stranger are expected to act a certain way to show their hospitality. This is called xenia. Xenia is the relationship between the host and the guest. Rules are supposed to be followed and the hosts are supposed to provide certain resources to their guests. It is also important to the culture of the Ancient Greece to show good hospitality to the strangers that wish to stay in their home. Odysseus has stayed in the homes of many along his journey home. He has experienced both good xenia and bad xenia from the people who has stayed with. Hospitality played a major role in the lives of the Ancient Greece. The hospitality of the person showed their civility and wealth. The better hospitality, the more civilized or rich a person was. The wealthy and most civil individuals could provide the guest with the finest food, shelter, gifts and the most money. The poor or uncivilized individuals would not be able to provide the same to their guest. The food would not be as fine, the shelter, or theShow MoreRelatedThe Odyssey An Epic Poem1418 Words   |  6 PagesThe Odyssey an epic poem that has stood the test of time as history is made. Homer made a story as raptured almost everyone who reads it. Even the most trivial characters seem to serve some important role later in the epic poem. Yet it seems that the meaning of this great piece of fiction changes with the changing desires of society. Yet one thing that Homer puts in every corner of the book stays the same with the test of tim e. The misfortune that hangs like the sword of Damocles over each characters’Read MoreAn Epic Poem The Odyssey 1611 Words   |  7 PagesThe Odyssey, an epic poem written by Greek poet Homer, follows the story of Odysseus, a war hero and king of Ithaca, as he went on a journey to return home from Troy ten years after the Trojan War. On his journey, he was confronted by various monsters, including the one-eyed Cyclops, and faced the loss of his men and his ship. Not to mention, when he returned to his land, he also had to defeat the suitors who had overrun his home and were trying to court his wife, Penelope. Homer not only tells usRead MoreThe Epic Poem, The Odyssey, By Homer1078 Words   |  5 Pagesthem, most of which come from The Odyssey . From these stories, we learn of the hardships many faced returning home after this bloody war. Within the tales, lies a man, whom some call a hero, and others do not. This man, Odysseus, faces many hardships throughout this time that challenge his heroism. In Homer s epic poem, The Odyssey , the main character Odysseus should be viewed as a hero because he shows cleverness, strength, and perseverance. Throughout the epic poem, Odysseus shows stupendous knowledgeRead MoreThe Odyssey Is An Ancient Greek Epic Poem Essay2056 Words   |  9 PagesThe Odyssey is an Ancient Greek epic poem, giving the account of Greek hero Odysseus’ ill-fated ten year journey home after the fall of Troy. It is attributed to the Greek poet Homer, and thought to have been written in the 8th century BC. In the opening passages of the poem, we find Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, still weeping for her husband after twenty years of his absence. Throughout history, Penelope has come to represent chastity and faithfulness in marriage, and though she is undoubtedlyRead MoreThe Odyssey By Homer Is A Story And Epic Poem940 Words   |  4 PagesThe Odyssey, by homer is a story/epic poem about the protagonist Odysseus who brings anguish and suffering upon himself and his men, which prolongs their arrival to Ithaca. Because of this Odysseus son, Telemachus sets on a journey to find him. This book illustrate s Odysseus, and his crew s feats by overcoming misfortunes along the way. Such as defeating a Cyclops named Polyphemus, fleeing from a town of powerful Laestrygonians and resisting manipulation and enchantments from a goddess calledRead MoreHomers Epic Poem, The Odyssey Essay1051 Words   |  5 PagesIn Homers epic poem, the Odyssey, the recurring theme of intelligence is important because through intelligence, Odysseus is able to utilize wit and cunning to suit his needs and wants, as well as defeat bigger and stronger opponents than he. Through the stories of Odysseus sufferings throughout the Trojan War and his struggles of homecoming, Homer portrays intelligence as being an effective application of strength used to gain an advantage over his opponents. Odysseus is depicted as an intellectualRead MoreHomer s Epic Poems, The Iliad And The Odyssey1254 Words   |  6 Pagesimmensely. Homer gives us a look into what morals the Greeks followed and what their beliefs were. Homer show s us how the Greeks put these beliefs into action by presenting multiple struggles that our characters must go through. Homer’s epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, are thousands of years old. Yet, whoever reads these pieces of literature today can somehow relate to its characters and events. This is because of the author’s ability to form a connection between the reader and what it is they areRead MoreThe Odyssey By Homer Is One Of The Most Well Known Epic Poems Ever1375 Words   |  6 PagesThe Odyssey by Homer is one of the most well known epic poems ever. This story takes place in ancient Greece after Odysseus fought in the Trojan War in Troy. It was written around 700 BCE and tells the story of Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca from Troy. One of the major reoccurring themes in this famous piece is determination. Many characters demonstrate great determination such as Odysseus, Penelope and Athena. Each character has a goal that they must work towards. In The Odyssey characters whoRead MoreThroughout the epic poem â€Å"The Odyssey† under various circumstances Odysseus presents others with1100 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the epic poem â€Å"The Odyssey† under various circumstances Odysseus presents others with fictitious identities on his struggle home to Ithaca. Odysseus uses deception, cunning and intellect to persuade others of his fabricated identities. With tales of false histories ridden with poor fortune and intertwined with half-truths allow Odysseus to establish these false identities. Identity is defined asâ€Å"the individual characteristics by which a person or thing is recognized† (dictionary.com) similarRead MoreComparing The Movie, O Brother Where Art Thou? And The Epic Greek Poem, The Odyssey,1284 Words   |  6 Pagesreason, this paper looks at the similarities that are apparent in the Coen brothers’ film, O Brother Where Art Thou? and the epic Greek poem, The Odyssey, by Homer. In p articular, special reference is given to the protagonists Ulysses in the movie and Odysseus in the poem. Without doubt, one is forced to associate the concept of the movie made in 2000 to that of the great epic poem, which is a work written around 700 B.C. Even so, it is notable that the settings of these two pieces differ in one way