The Greek and Hebrew people lived in a world that was largely characterized by travel. Both constant conflict and the romantic notion of exploring new lands drove much of the movement exhibited in the Bible and Homer’s the Odyssey. Unlike contemporary travel, ancient travel often featured long and drawn-out journeys across land and sea. These voyages often crossed through hostile environments and countries and required the hospitality of friends and allies for travelers’ survival. The renowned hospitality demonstrated in the ancient world goes beyond the mortals’ recognition of the mutual need for welcome, extending up to the heavens and the effects of the gods on mortals’ behavior. Hospitality in the ancient world included both accepting strangers
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Polyphemus, just like Eumaeus, lives in a remote location. However, Polyphemus has become uncivilized and barbarous, and therefore turned unhospitable. Upon their initial contact, Odysseus attempts to explain how hospitality works to the uncultured cyclops, saying
“…We’re at your knees / in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest gift, / the sort that hosts give strangers. That’s the custom. / Respect the gods, my friend. We’re suppliants—at your mercy! / Zeus of the Strangers guards all guests and suppliants: / strangers are sacred—Zeus will avenge their rights!” (the Odyssey 9.300-305). Odysseus invokes Zeus in an attempt to strike the fear of divine punishment into Polyphemus that has permeated the thoughts of every other demigod and mortal that Odysseus has come across. This reaffirms the idea that the gods played a large role in preserving hospitality through divine intervention, not only through Zeus in the Odyssey, but also through the Hebrew God in the Bible. Unfortunately, Polyphemus’ states that he does not fear the gods, and due to his impiety and lack of fear, would only act hospitably if he felt the urge to. This is a departure from previous examples, as Eumaeus was acting almost entirely to appease Zeus. Polyphemus then eats four of Odysseus’ men and traps the rest, performing two of the most inhospitable …show more content…
Two of the most influential ancient works, the Bible and the Odyssey, are saturated with tales of hospitality and the awesome displays of power in punishing those who don’t welcome and accept their guests generously and willingly. As our methods of travel become faster and less personal, it becomes clear that hospitality does not hold the same spot in our contemporary society as it did in the worlds of Abraham, Lot and Odysseus. However, few things remain as heartwarming as being greeted by a host with open arms and open hearts, suggesting that at least this aspect of their ancient culture remains
Polyphemus, just like Eumaeus, lives in a remote location. However, Polyphemus has become uncivilized and barbarous, and therefore turned unhospitable. Upon their initial contact, Odysseus attempts to explain how hospitality works to the uncultured cyclops, saying
“…We’re at your knees / in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest gift, / the sort that hosts give strangers. That’s the custom. / Respect the gods, my friend. We’re suppliants—at your mercy! / Zeus of the Strangers guards all guests and suppliants: / strangers are sacred—Zeus will avenge their rights!” (the Odyssey 9.300-305). Odysseus invokes Zeus in an attempt to strike the fear of divine punishment into Polyphemus that has permeated the thoughts of every other demigod and mortal that Odysseus has come across. This reaffirms the idea that the gods played a large role in preserving hospitality through divine intervention, not only through Zeus in the Odyssey, but also through the Hebrew God in the Bible. Unfortunately, Polyphemus’ states that he does not fear the gods, and due to his impiety and lack of fear, would only act hospitably if he felt the urge to. This is a departure from previous examples, as Eumaeus was acting almost entirely to appease Zeus. Polyphemus then eats four of Odysseus’ men and traps the rest, performing two of the most inhospitable …show more content…
Two of the most influential ancient works, the Bible and the Odyssey, are saturated with tales of hospitality and the awesome displays of power in punishing those who don’t welcome and accept their guests generously and willingly. As our methods of travel become faster and less personal, it becomes clear that hospitality does not hold the same spot in our contemporary society as it did in the worlds of Abraham, Lot and Odysseus. However, few things remain as heartwarming as being greeted by a host with open arms and open hearts, suggesting that at least this aspect of their ancient culture remains