Hospitality in the Greek culture is very apparent in readings due to Greek Gods and less so in readings from the American culture because of no enforcement. In Homer’s The Odyssey, translated by W.H.D. Rouse, Eteoneus asks Menelaos if Telemachus and Peisistratus Nestoridês should be allowed in Menelaos’ hall or sent off for entertainment otherwhere. Eteoneus’ question sparks Menelaos’ quick response, “How often have we eaten the food of a stranger, you and I, in other parts of the world, on our long journey home, praying that Zeus might somewhere give us rest and peace at last. Go and take out their horses, and bring the men in to share our feast (Homer 44).” The questioning reaction of Eteoneus is one more common in the American culture, very different from the hospitality in Greek …show more content…
Menelaos knows of Telemachus, but does not recognize him at first making him yet a stranger. Hospitality to Greeks is much more of an obligation because of Zeus, the God of strangers, whereas to American culture providing hospitality is a choice because no set rule or law is in place. As it is a choice, many Americans opt out of arranging hospitality or simply letting strangers inside to ensure a safe life in this chaotic, crime filled culture. The American culture understands it is unsafe to be as welcoming as Menelaous, but for Menelaous he must trust and obey in the God, Zeus The Critical Essays (Spires, Jones, and Griffin) from Epics for Students has an essay called Criticism by Michael J. Spires, in which he wrote, “To understand that attitude, it is important to remember, first of all, that the obligations of a host to a guest and vice-versa were considered sacred duties, enforced by Zeus in his aspect as god of strangers (Spires 325).” With this said, Americans stray from being very hopitalitiable because nothing is at risk if not done, however; for the Greek’s to disrespect the Greek Gods by not providing hospitality could be of great risk to the Greek persons