Thursday, October 5, 2017

In The Odyssey, how do Odysseus and his companions expect to be treated by the Cyclops?

This is one instance in
which the fearfulness of Odysseus's men's would actually have served them better than their
leader's bravado and courage. When they arrive at the island of the Cyclopes, Odysseus's crew
advises caution; they "pressed [him] strongly" to take some food and a few animals (to
eat later) and return to the ship. Odysseus ignores their entreaties, however, opting instead to
remain and wait for the owner of the cave to return. He hopes this clearly prosperous owner will
"offer gifts" to him. The reason he might expect this is the same one that other
commenters have mentioned: the Greek notion of hospitality, called xenia. If it were within his
means, not only should a host offer the best food and drink he has to a traveler, but he is also
supposed to offer a guest-gift as well, and this is what Odysseus hopes will
happen.

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