Odysseus

[Vols fan]

Hospitality in the period that Homer writes in plays a large role in
the Epic. There are expectations among the people who are traveling
that there will be places that they are welcomed and things they will
receive when they get there.
If hospitality was not a key part in this time, Penelope would have
sent the suitors away soon after their arrival. They were overstaying
their "welcome" by eating and drinking all that she had, and taking
possessions in her home. She had to be cunning to make sure that she
still extended them what was expected of her, and still remain
faithful to Odysseus. When they discovered her trickery, they were
furious. She was expected by them to make a decision, and choose one
among them to be king.
We see throughout this epic that people are welcomed in, not only for
meals and wine, but also were bathed and clothed. It was right in the
eyes of Zeus, and if you did not welcome these travelers into you
home, you would be punished by him.
Does this apply to the thought process of today? In a way we want to
be welcoming to our guest, and offer them refreshment. In exchange for
being entertained they could share a meal with us. I think it would be
insulting if we bathed and clothed that person. That was a show of
respect in the time of Homer, but in today's world would be an insult
to the persons overall appearance.