Hospitality in Homeric Society
... the Taphians, visits Telemachus to seek news of his fathers` return. When she arrives at the gates of the house of Odysseus, Telemachus himself cordially greets her. The first words to leave the mouth of Telemachus are, “Welcome friend! You can tell us what has brought you here when you have had some food.” (Lines 123-125 Book 1) He shows that his company is more than welcome at his estates and that he will do anything possible to make her feel comfortable. He continues to show hospitality when he spreads a linen cloth over a beautiful carved chair with a stool for her feet: “He then conducted her to a beautiful carved chair, over which he spread a linen cloth, and seated her there with a stool for her feet” (Lines 129-131 Book 1). By showing his hidden guest to a chair of such high standards, Telemachus proves his respect for the disguised Goddess Athene dressed as Mentes. A final example of how Telemachus gives Athene a warm greeting is how he treated her to a fine meal of various meats and wine served in golden cups. “Presently a maid came with water in a fine golden jug and poured it over a silver basin for them to rinse their hands. She then drew a polished table to their side, and the faithful housekeeper brought some bread and set it by them with a choice of delicacies, helping them liberally to all she could offer. Meanwhile a steward served them plates of various meats he had selected from his board, and put gold cups beside them, which a steward filled with wine as he passed on his frequent rounds” (Lines 137-145 Book 1). Telemachus does all of this before Athene falsely explains who she is and why she has came to the former house of Odysseus. At this point Telemachus is satisfied with the level of hospitality he has provided for his guests and begins to question him about his origins and reasons for visiting. Athene’s concealed visit to Telemachus is the first example of hospitality encountered in The Odyssey. Another example of hospitality from The Odyssey is when Odysseus visits the palace of Alcinous. King Alcinous takes Odysseus by the hand and places him on a fancily decorated chair and had a maid bring him a variety of bread and delicacies, serving to him all he may possibly offer. “The mighty King Alcinous listened to what Echeneus said, took the wise and subtle Odysseus by the hand, raised him from the hearth and seated him on a tall polished chair, from which he moved the friendly Laodamas, his favorite son, who was sitting next to him. A maid came with water in a beautiful golden jug and poured it out over a silver basin to rinse his hands. Them she drew a wooden table to his side, and the faithful housekeeper brought some bread and put it by with a choice of delicacies, helping him liberally to all she could offer” (Lines 167-177 Book 7). By doing this King Alcinous makes the fatigued and worn out Odysseus feel welcome and it also helped Odysseus recuperate from his lengthy and enduring journey away from his homeland. King Alcinous also arranges for Odysseus to have a quick return to his home under the escort of his people. “We will then take up the matter of his passage so as to ensure him without trouble or anxiety the ...