The Odyssey Conclusion Essay Example

(92/93).

In accordance to this, the greatest reason for one to show hospitality was because they believed the gods might show up in disguise; if a god was displeased, it would inevitably lead to disaster.Therefore when one did not fear the gods there was no need to show hospitality, just as the Cyclops did not. On the other hand, Athene tells Telemachus in regards to the suitors, “ But pay no attention…for they have neither sense nor virtue, and give no thought to death and doom that will shortly fall on one and all of them”(16). In this case, the importance of being a respectful guest is prominent, for hospitality should follow sense and virtue. Hospitality can be misused, as shown by the suitors, which leads them to “death and doom” by Odysseus, the host.

This value that the Greek people possessed can teach and impact hospitality for everyday life. In opposition to hospitality that people value even today, Pride and confidence, which is seen as more of an arrogant and negative notation, was most of the time an honored characteristic that is presented through the interactions between characters. For instance, when Odysseus was challenged at the Phoenician games by Laodamus he replies “I am a good hand at every kind of athletic sport known among mankind…I far excel everyone else in the whole world”(78).In this situation his prideful response to Laodamus, proves himself as an excellent athlete.

In this culture, pride is almost necessary because ones pride was challenged and needed to be shown. Along this line, when Telemachus goes to visit Nestor, a lack of pride is shown as Athene states, “Telemachus you must

not be in the least bit shy or nervous…beg him to speak the truth and he will tell you no lies for he is an excellent person” (20). In this case confidence and pride is almost necessary for him to gain respect so that he will be told the truth.Throughout the book Telemachus continuously has the need for more pride with this and other situations such as with the suitors. On the other hand, Odysseus becomes arrogant when he yells out the Cyclops, “ ‘if anyone asks you who it was that put your eye out and spoiled your beauty, say it was the valiant warrior Odysseus, son of Laertes, who lives in Ithaca”(98).

This is a foolish and arrogant example of excessive pride and how pride and confidence can be misused. Because of this he suffered greatly and it would have been much more wise to have not have boasted.Pride is a characteristic in Greek culture that would either harm or help one in their struggles. Even though the Greeks believed very strongly in fate as being beyond even the power of the gods, the Odyssey presents the idea of how the gods had power interfere with ones fate. For example, in Mt. Olympus Zeus states “We have decreed that poor Odysseus is to return home.

He is to be convoyed neither by gods nor by men” (49). Although Odysseus was fated to return home from the beginning, he still was given misfortune by the gods.This reveals that the gods do have some say in what people’s fate is and that it can be interfered and challenged. Continuing on this idea, Poseidon states “I

said I would let Odysseus get home when he had suffered sufficiently” (138). This tells us that the gods can give people much hardship just because they are angry even when they know they must follow how fate has granted.

Poseidon wanted to delay and give misfortune to Odysseus as punishment for blinding his son. Also, prophesies told of ones ate such as when Halitherses read the omens sent from Zeus and said, “Odysseus is not going to be away much longer… for I am not prophesying without due knowledge; everything has happened to Odysseus as I foretold…I said that after going through much hardship and losing all his men he should come home again in the twentieth year and that no one would know him; and now all this is coming true” (14). This shows how the gods did interfere and would tell the people on earth with symbols. The gods knew from the beginning the fate of Odysseus because they predestined it.The gods are who gave Odysseus misfortune and they are also the ones who fated him the way he did.

Through these examples of hospitality, pride and fate, one can learn of many important Greek principles. Hospitality was an extreme point throughout the epic, it was greatly emphasized for many different reasons and gestures. Also, As a quality that was shown, pride was key to respect but could lead to problems too. Lastly, fate was in the power of the god, which is shown to be true, and not only on chance. These values that the Greeks present help maintain a social rule of the culture, and provide a basis for personal

growth and morals.