The Use of Themes in Chronological Stories and Poetry
The use of themes in chronological stories and poetry contributes significantly to the educational quality of this literature. Themes from the days of legend forms of literary appreciation were significant since they were thought to be the sole way to transmit the meaning of legends, poetry, and even mythology. Odyssey is a poetic literature that expresses its ideas mostly through poetic themes. Those who study the poems and other types of literacy have an edge by understanding the unique message that is meant to be given to them as readers through these themes. Frequently themes are used to highlight certain issues that crop up in the social settings of man and are debated inside the plot and settings of the poems. Some of the issues that such themes discuss include touch on corruption, governance, and leadership issues, which are purely political whereas vengeance, pride and hospitality are societal (Sneden,2002) issues. Nevertheless,irrespective of the kind of thematic concerns place in front for as themes they perform the function of enhancing the ability to understand the plot of the literatures in connection with real world analysis and comparison.IT is therefore thought, it is extremely important that thematic concerns become manifested properly in poems and all other literature. The lessons that are learnt through thematic concerns easily identifies with the usual societal needs that are either physical or psychological. The importance of themes cannot be underestimated therefore since the outward understanding of literature is plot and setting but the internal comprehension is theme oriented. Some themes focus on evil representation while others are positively evaluating people; however all the themes play an important role in complementing the function of one another in all circumstances that they appear. Theme evaluation therefore is an important tool in assessing the real messages that are contained in literary forms since they form the basic backbone of reasons for literature appreciation.
The Theme of Hospitality in the Book Odessy
Odessy book is a tale inform of poem that captures massive landscape of thematic concerns across its deep settings. The book consists of well round issues that when integrated only results to several themes in the plot (Minchin,2001). In this essay, I am going to discuss sufficiently the meaning of themes in the book odyssey. Although many themes are represented in the plot of the book. I am going to consider specifically the theme of hospitality. This theme is considered widely in the plot of the story and is used to expose the nature and character of certain individuals who are seen to be hospitable to others in the book. This theme is also used as a central issue in the development of the story and forms an important part in the setting too. The theme of hospitality is imaged in this story as an important and concern in the natural life of man.It develops the sympathetic value of an individual to the objective of showing care and empathy to one who is in need. In the comprehensive understanding of the theme of hospitality I am going to discuss variety of issues that include the plot of the story in connection with the theme of hospitability, what are some of the reasons as to why certain individuals are hospitable in the story? How is the theme brought out in the plot, what is the importance of hospitality and finally what is the relationship between the theme concerned and other themes used in the plotting of the story? It is also important to study the interpretation of the theme by the characters; which character highlights the theme of hospitality. It will also discuss the consequences of hospitality in the setting of the story; do those who are hospitable get the favor back?
Hospitality in the Setting of the Book Odessy
In the book Odessy, the setting relates this time to a period when hospitality was well explored especially through its relationship with long journeys such as the journey Odysseus went about and his meeting through the guest relationship called Xenia. The intention of hospitality at this time was associated with its extensiveness and in the long distances covered by the travelers. According to the setting, it seemed inferior methods of transportation like boat or travel by foot were very slow. This prompted most travelers to stay as visitors in the midst of their lengthy journeys. This was to get food shelter and sometimes protection in the nights. During the travel of Odysseus, he arrives in Kirkes Island and he is forced to stay in the island. Here he meets Hermes who forms part of the individual who helped him except for the witch who wants kill him but is confronted. This is a fair example in the book that highlights how much hospitality was considered important in the plot of the story. Another instance of hospitality is the case when Odyssesus speaks about the necessity of friendliness himself when he wants to go home to his wife, a friend and see his son too he talks to Alcinous and says 'For if a man is far from his own home and parents, then even if he is housed in opulence within that foreign land, no thing he finds can be more sweet than what he left behind' (Homer, p. 170). Here it is proved with evidence the importance that he felt for the hospitality that he is offered as he stayed away from his people. Emumaeus also prove this when he says on page 275 of Book Six 'for it is Zeus who sends to us all beggars and strangers; and a gift, however small, means much when given by a man like me…'. This he says to refer that the god Zeus is the one who brings visitors to people and appreciates the gift they bring. However, in many instances hospitality was not given to the people who needed it in the story. For example, when Odyssesus entered the cave of Polyphemus he expects hospitality and care through giving of food and shelter from Polyphemus who comes back but does not give help to him. This shows how different characters in the book viewed and acted in relation to the theme of hospital
Reasons for the Observance of Hospitality
Nevertheless, what is the reason for this kind of enormous observance of hospitality in this society? We learn that hospitality is valued in the book because of the fear of gods as Emumaeus puts it in his reference to strangers that come to him. The unique importance put on hospitality almost becomes the most unresolved theme in the whole book. It is arguable that this kind of hospitality however was because of the fear of gods rather than from the heart. It becomes evident that at this moment hospitality was treated as an intention of the deities. The god Zeus is portrayed as demanding hospitality of high degree from all the beings and since the hosts could not identify the visitors, they were to be treated exemplary like they were gods. The consequences for not being hospitable were practical and very harsh. The gods for not being hospitable to the strangers punish the witch who turns Odyssesus men into animals. Hermes fearing this decides to help Odyssesus since he fears that the goddess is not following the code of conduct of being hospitable to strangers and fears the wrath of the gods. In another instance, the meeting between Cyclops and Polyphemos that is violent suggests the consequence of a bad host and guest relationship. When the former decides not to give attention to his visitors his eyes are poked out which surprisingly does not trouble the gods at all whereas the victim’s father praises the event. Zeus the god comments, 'There is no mortal half so wise' (Homer, p. 3) proving the extent at which violence was accepted in the setting of the book.
The Response of Those Who Were Taken Care of
The response of those who were taken care of however is not shown as positive. This is because the hospitality was not received as goodness but as code of conduct. Even throughout the absence of Odyssesus from his home, the suitors are taken care of but in response to the good treatment, they refuse to go away when asked although they were given good hospitality when they came. Even after Telemachus inform them that the father is back and they should vacate they only continue to drink and eat thanks to the deaf ears. Later they are killed because of the disobedience. However, guest host relationship between Odyssesus and Calypso that they stay and he continues to please and leaves off in peace when his time comes. This therefore shows how hospitality in this book was viewed and considered.
The Importance of Hospitality as a Theme in the Book Odessy
Therefore according the book the instances of hospitality, which is a major theme in the book, is categorically the most discussed theme in the book since the setting that involved many travels and therefore the need for rest and shelter. The instances of hospitality shows the importance that is given to the act by the characters. Hospitalization according to the book was a major practice among the characters in the setting that it had severe consequences whenever one did not obey its code and conducts. This practice interestingly is done as a decree from the gods and not from choice of their hearts. The characters show complete respect to the belief of gods and therefore hospitality cannot be debated. It is unbelievable that even though this belief is not genuine the characters are portrayed as ready to murder their colleagues in the event that they do not follow the custom to the latter. The head god Zeus is the architect of the belief and therefore has no problem when anybody is murdered because of the belief.
Hospitality as a Virtue Oriented Society
Though hospitality shows a virtue oriented society the book presents it as a social demeanor and the face of social and psychological slavery since it is not genuine but belief based.
Works cited
Minchin, Elizabeth. "Homer and the resources of memory: some applications of cognitive theory to the Iliad and the Odyssey." (2001).
Sneden, Robert Knox. Eye of the Storm: A Civil War Odyssey. Simon and Schuster, 2002.
