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Topic 3 Discuss the Theme of hospitality in Odysseus’ visit to the Phoenicians.
Topic 3: Discuss the Theme of hospitality in Odysseus’ visit to the Phoenicians.
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The Theme of hospitality in Odysseus’ Visit to the Phoenicians
The poem, The Odyssey, was initially composed in Homeric Greek by Homer. It was then translated and edited by Ian Johnson, who published it in 2019. The Theme of hospitality is extensively depicted in this poem. The protagonist Odysseus is known by the creatures and leaders in his journey back to Ithaka through the multiple island encounters. The warm welcome encounter determines the hospitality that forms the Greek culture’s important nature. Odysseus encounters several individuals who treat him with varying respect levels throughout his journey. People portray guests in different ways as hosts creating a mutual relationship and bonds which get considered by the society’s morals. However, there exist instances where the host exposes the unwelcoming character to the visitor or the guest. Notably, the level of hospitality gets determined by the host and the gust in Odyssey. Therefore, Odysseus encounters a different recurring level of hospitality on his journey and after reaching his home at Ithaka, which provides the ethical morality of the characters and their relationships with gods.
Hospitality gets depicted when Odysseus is treated with dignity by the daughter of King Alcinous, who directs him to the palace for the presentation in front of the King. Alcinous directed Pontonous to prepare the wine saying, “Pontonous, prepare wine in the mixing bowl,/then serve it to all people in the hall, so/ we may pour libations out to Zeus” (7.25-28.39). Alcinous’s directive corresponds to his kindness and rational nature as a ruler who welcomes the stranger by appeasing the gods. Welcoming Odysseus depicts the King’s hospitality by welcoming the guest warmly with wine and good reception. Also, the King’s wishes continue to posit morality with gods, especially Zeus. The fear of Zeus prevents the occurrence of calamities by pouring libations. Consequently, Phaeacians hosting Odysseus during his washing off a shore near the town depicts a great example of hospitality. Odysseus had met Princess Nausicäa, who offered him food without regarding the threat of a stranger that had become the rumored subject. After helping him with food, the princess helps Odysseus reach the city of Scheria. Also, the King and the Queen gave Odysseus lodging for rest, food, and entertainment, hence considering part of hospitality as a sacred duty to gods. After revealing his name to the community of the Phaeacians, the community granted him to Ithaca, where he was left on the shore with various precious gifts, depicting the ultimate hospitality action. Later, Odysseus spoke a thanksgiving word by appreciating the Queen, “O you divine queen,/I come here as a suppliant to you./Are you a goddess or a mortal being?” (6.4-6.35). The word describes the thanksgiving granted to the queen through the in-depth description and good deeds which created happiness for Odysseus.
The negative side of hospitality is depicted against the Phaeacians’ will when Odysseus encounters Cyclops. Cyclops acts as a representation of the extreme nature of bad hospitality towards a guest. It is important, according to the customs of the Greeks, that visitors should be asked about their identity after getting granted their physical needs. The Phaeacians depict the post-identity mechanism when treating Odysseus with due respect through the provision of food, entertainment, and a place of sleep. However, Cyclops identifies the Greek visitor as a stranger. Before meeting Cyclopes, Odysseus pointed to his men, “‘my loyal comrades,/stay here where you are/I’ll take my ship and my own company and try to find out who those people are and learn if they are rough and violent/ with no sense of law, or kind to strangers” (9.3-6.53). Also, they ask with due disrespect for the identification of an individual visitor, the origin of Odysseus, in the process; Odysseus was begging the Cyclops on their need to respect gods and the hospitality customs. The Cyclopes answered, “We Cyclops never blink at Zeus, and Zeus’s shield of storm and thunder or any other blessed gods.-We’ve got more force by far” (9.6.52). Lack of hospitality continues to characterize the life of Cyclops when they fail to provide the meals to the strangers. In addition, Cyclopes ate the visitor raw by snatching two of the male from Odysseus’ men. Moreover, Odysseus had asked for the visitor’s gift but received a terrifying answer. The answer depicts that he would eat Odysseus last.
Suitors continue to represent the immoral; behavior of guest that lacks hospitality. As described by Telemachus, the suitors had infested their palace night and day, buttered the livestock sheep and goats, and feasted themselves. Antonio, the speaker, continues to blame Telemachus, “Telemachus, you boaster,/ your spirit is too unrestrained/How you carry on, trying to shame us” (3.1-3.16). The blame game depicted an immoral character in the absence of the King. The lack of a male head made the suitors take advantage of the situation resulting in the consumption of the entire Odysseus livelihood. The suitors had taken advantage of the weakened household due to a lack of a male head leader to prevent them from the unhospitable act. As evident by Odysseus, “You dogs, because you thought/I’d not come back from Troy to my own home,/you’ve been ravaging my house, raping women, and…” confirms the injustices that portray the lack of hospitality conducted by the Suitors (22.13-16.144). As a result, society considered the behavior a moral outrage. Telemachus also encountered hospitality in his quest to find the father’s whereabouts after the Suitors’ misbehavior. The son traveled through the seas, causing his arrival in Sparta, which led to a meeting with his father’s friend Menelaus. Menelaus welcomed Telemachus with his crew with luxurious baths and feasts. Later, he offered his friend’s son food to the east, a place of rest, and house luxuries that was affordable by the house. The hospitality granted to Telemachus reflected the father’s hospitality during the Trojan War by securing Menelaus at his home. Therefore, Xenias creates a good portrayal in the Greek culture because of no consequences, demands, or pride.
Hospitality remains the human moral character that involves helping an individual in need. It is depicted in the Greek culture in the journey of Odysseus back home to Ithaka. Odysseus was treated with dignity by the King of Alkinoos, his daughter and wife, the Queen. He was given accommodation, meals, and entertainment. Also, Phaeacians portrayed a high level of hospitality when they welcomed Odysseus. Princess Nausicaä welcomed Odysseus to her parent’s palace. In the palace, Queen Areta and King Alcinous gave a warm welcome, food, accommodation, drink, and poured libation to Zeus as thanksgiving. Contrary to the morality of Greek, Odysseus encountered negative hospitality when they encountered Cyclops. Cyclops had eaten all his men and regarded him a stranger. He also never recognized Zeus. Suitors continue to represent the immorality in hospitality where they squandered the Odysseus belonging with the knowledge that the head of the family was absent. Therefore, the evidence of hospitality defines the rich Greek culture by depicting the life journey of Odysseus, his son, and the entire society of Ithaka and beyond.
Work Cited
Johnston, Ian, ed. The Odyssey: Selections. Broadview Press, 2019.
The Exploration for Progressive Order in America
Erica Spicer
HIST 2020
Spr 2020
Title of Paper:
The Exploration for Progressive Order in America
Theme and Period:
The central theme: The Progressive era was when political and social movements were starting to develop from a society crisis.
The time period: 1890-1920 The Progressive Period
Arguments (Key Points)
Prohibition, immigration restriction, and delinquency were all a part of this era because the government pushed certain restrictions to subordinate and control the poor.
Birth control and immigration stipulations should not be decided on social class and race.
Putting control over social interests, like alcohol, was an attempt to save the face of morality to society. However, regulating peoples actions can be difficult and cause chaos in politics.
Rationale for Topic
This topic was chosen because I wanted to evaluate the cause and effect from the progressives to partake in moral reform. The middle class was a target to social reforms, forcing them to deal with same standards as the poor, even though they were the “standard” class. Before the progressive period, the government did not have much influence on people. I want to explore the impact of strong government enforcement to make the conditions of everyday lives better.
Topic 2 Different Feminist Perspectives on Sex Work
Topic 2: Different Feminist Perspectives on Sex Work
The debate over sex work has become increasingly divisive even among individuals fighting for an equal and just society for all genders. By definition, sex work is the exchange of sexual services, sexual products such as videos, or sexual performance for material compensation, majorly money. Different feminist groups view sex work differently. It is an exploitive act to some, while it is an act of empowerment and reclamation to others.
Radical feminists generally view sex work as an act that encourages patriarchy in society and enhances women’s oppression. According to these feminists, the deep-rooted patriarchy in the society encourages male privilege (Macionis and Gerber 2018, 361). Therefore, Sex work gives men the privilege and right to access women’s bodies, perpetuating female subordination. Additionally, radical feminists argue that sex work represents coercion and sexual subordination of women by men (Gerassi 2015, 80). This implies that all forms of sex work are deviant, an act of sexual violence and abuse against women. To radical feminists, all forms of commercial sex are oppressive acts that cause harm and violence to women. Therefore, the sex industry and all forms of commercial sex should be banned.
Secondly, Liberal Feminists generally view sex work as a job like any other that can be a form of self-reclamation and self-determination for women. Liberal feminists advocate for individuals’ freedom to pursue their interests, develop their talents and make their own choices (Macionis and Gerber 2018, 361). Therefore, sex work that is free from coercion represents autonomy and freedom for women. It gives women the freedom to choose the kind of work they want to do, eliminating any mandate and rules that dictate to women the kind of work they are supposed to do as these rules and directives are dangerous and patriarchal. Additionally, liberal feminists argue that sex actions and acts that women should consider intimate and the notion of intimacy should be left for women to decide (Gerassi 2015, 81). Women should have the autonomy to determine what they consider intimate and what is not. To a liberal feminist, the exchange of money for sex is similar to payment for the performance of a service, and challenges in the sector resemble sexual harassment and gender discrimination in other professions. Therefore, the state should not interfere with sex work or the sex industry whose participates are not coerced into the act.
Additionally, Socialist feminist generally views sex work as an exploitative act that depicts women as male subordinates in society. According to Socialist feminists, male domination over women stems from the social inequality in the community that puts power and wealth in the hand of a small number of men encouraging women to depend on men economically (Gerassi 2015, 80-81). Men who control sexual service exchange or buy sexual services remove women’s sexuality as they appropriate sex work. Thus, any form of commercial sex represents power taken away from women and sexual abuses against women. To socialist feminists, as long as wealth and power in society lie in few men’s hands, women will continue to depend on men economically enhancing patriarchal state in a society organised around social class.
Bibliography
Gerassi, Lara. 2015. “A heated debate: Theoretical perspectives of sexual exploitation and sex work.” Journal of sociology and social welfare 42(4): 79-100
Macionis, John J. and Gerber Linda M. 2018. Sociology. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Pearson Prentice Hall.