What does the Odyssey suggest about Greek customs of Hospitality?
There are several examples of hospitality in the Odyssey, and they all reflect very much the same values and customs. Evidently one was expected to welcome anyone who showed up at one’s door, few or no questions asked. If the guest chose to give his name, fine; if he didn’t, no one asked. So Athena, posing as Mentes, stopping in Ithaca on “his” way home, is received matter-of-factly. Telemachus is well received by Nestor in Sandy Pylos and by Menelaus and Helen in Sparta, and in the latter place, at least, he doesn’t tell his hosts who he is until Helen guesses. Odysseus, on his return to civilization, is treated as an honored guest by the Phaecians even before they know that he’s the hero of a lay that their bard just sang. Back in Ithaca, disguised as a beggar, he calls first on Eumaeus, who shares his meagre home and food with him; then in his own palace, still in disguise, he is welcomed by Penelope. In fact, one way in which the suitors are chracterized negatively is that they abu
