Hospitality in Odyssey

Compare and contrast the hospitality shown to Telemachus on his journeys to that shown to Odysseus by the Phaeacians. How is it the same? How is it different?


In the book, Telemachus and Odysseus stay at many kings’ houses. Each time they came to a new king’s house they were welcomed in, bathed, fed, and given many gifts.  King Menelaus and king Alcinous both gave a decorated cup to their guest as gifts (book 4, line 622 and book 8, line 465). Both were given a feast where they were featured as the guest of honor. Telemachus was welcomed, fed, and bathed without question, however he was not given gifts until he told his name and where he was from. Whereas, Odysseus was given a chest full of gifts before being questioned, but he first had to prove his strength and character (book 8). The Phaeacians gave Odysseus more than Telemachus got from his host because Odysseus did not have as much as Telemachus. Also, while visiting the Phaeacians, Odysseus came in contact with more kings than Telemachus, who provided him with gifts.

Penelope

In the first four books, we are also introduced to Telemachus' mother and Odysseus' wife, Penelope. Using textual evidence, discuss her role in the story so far.


Penelope plays a significant role in the book since she is responsible for bringing suitors to Odysseus’ house. The suitors eat everything in the house and kill all of the livestock (chapter 2, line 53-62). The suitors do not respect Telemachus as a man and continue to destroy his house, against his word. Telemachus grows tired of this and decides to go on a journey to bring his father home and cement his manhood. However, he leaves in secret because he does not want his mother, Penelope, to find out. If she knew, she would cry and try to stop him because she does not want him to go (chapter 2, line 397-400). Meanwhile, at Odysseus’ house, the suitors that Penelope attracted     plan to kill Telemachus when he returns. If it were not for Penelope, there would be no suitors to terrorize Telemachus’ house, and he may have never gone on this odyssey.

The Courage of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass embodies what it means to be courageous. No matter what trials he faced, he always persevered. Many obstacles were placed in his path that could have given him reason to quit. But, from his youth, he used his wits to gain knowledge that would help him to endure. Courage was something that carried him through tough times. Although it took him many years to escape, he never gave up and kept trying to escape until he finally did. Even when faced with death, he stood strong and fought for what he believed in. When the bonds of slavery had tired his spirit, he found it within himself to keep fighting until he was free, both in his mind and from the tyranny of slavery.