A Lavishing Welcome-- Odyssey

A detailed Summary of A Lavishing Welcome-- Odyssey

For years hospitality has played a huge role in the lives of many, whether they be travelers or not. Through Homer's The Odyssey this statement proves to be true; hospitality affects the travels of Odysseus throughout the entire work, both to his benefit and not. Many types of hosts are presented throughout this novel, some differing greatly, but they all have an effect on Odysseus in some way.

From the start of the story you get a sense of how travelers are treated in most places. When we first meet Odysseus he is being treated as a king in the land of the Phaeacians. The Phaeacians were the perfect hosts to Odysseus giving him all that he needed and helping him along his way. They sat listening to the tale of his journey for quite some time and immediately offered to help him find his way back to Ithaca. This is what every traveler hopes to come across when finding themselves stuck in an unfamiliar area. Unfortunately for Odysseus this wasn't always the case.

Some of the hosts Odysseus came across seemed wonderful and welcoming on the outside, but in all reality hurt his case more than anyone else. Calypso

was a perfect example of the importunate host. She treated Odysseus well, spoiling him and letting him live a life of lavishing riches, but she wanted this to be all he knew of life. A perfect host would treat Odysseus well, just as Calypso did, but this perfect host -which Calypso was not-would let Odysseus leave whenever he was ready and willing. Calypso never felt a desire to let Odysseus leave and did all she could to ensure that he was stranded with her. None of this is to say that Odysseus didn't like the life he was living. It was quite possible that he enjoyed himself throughout this extravagant life, but he still yearned for his home.

It pays to be hospitable, at least according to Homer. All those that weren't excellent hosts lost out in the long run; Polyphemus was killed, the suitors were killed and Circe and Calypso both lost the privilege of being with Odysseus. It's comforting to know that if a Phaeacian were to be in Ithaca traveling they would get the best hospitality they'd ever received.

Calypso wasn't the only one who played the role of an importunate host; Circe fulfilled this role as well. Unlike Calypso,

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Approximate Word count = 775
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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