Paper 2: Rough Draft

Megan Braine

Professor Matthew Spano

ENG 225

4 May 2019

Highly Recommended: How “Don Quixote” Themes

Through Imagination and Self Perseverance

Society today can be a very judgmental place. We are all born with expectations made by society, for our futures. There are many social norms that people are supposed to follow and continue to show throughout their growth in life. During today’s day and age, people are more optimistic to break those social norms. A character from the novel “Don Quixote”, which was written during the Renaissance Period, breaks the social norms of that era. This character becomes who he wants to be, not who he is supposed to turn out to be, and this exhibits the theme of self identity vs. conformity. Self Identity is the recognition of one's potential and qualities as an individual and conformity is behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards. This character begins loses sight of what is real and what is not as well. This theme is shown greatly, and we can relate it to today’s present social culture. It is highly recommended that readers take time to read Miguel de Cervantes novel Don Quixote because of the ways the novel represents the theme of self identity vs. conformality, through imagination and self perseverance.

The author Miguel de Cervantes, wrote “Don Quixote” during the Renaissance Period. This novel was written in two volumes from 1605-1615. Throughout this novel many themes are shown. It is clear that the main character Don Quixote de la Mancha, is a fan of romance and chivalry. He becomes so obsessed with the books he reads, that he decides to make them a reality, his reality. The events and plot in this story will magnify the themes of self identity vs. conformality, through the scenery, characters, and actions. Also, it amplifies the idea of imagination. Other characters like Aldonza Lorenzo; a farm girl Quixote calls Dulcinea, his “illusionary lady” and Pedro Perez; a village curate, contribute to this themes significantly. “Don Quixote” is known to be specifically a spanish novel and one of the most influential works during the Spanish Golden Age.

From the first volume and first chapter of “Don Quixote,” the author Miguel de Cervantes, greatly introduces the theme of self identity vs. conformity within the text, as well as in other sections of the text. We are presented and introduced to the main character of this novel in the beginning of the story. He is described as a poor, spanish country gentlemen. He also can be described as isolated. That is because he enjoys engaging in chivalry romance books and desires nothing more.

“You must know, then, that the above-named gentleman whenever he was at leisure (which was mostly all the year round) gave himself up to reading books of chivalry with such ardour and avidity that he almost entirely neglected the pursuit of his field-sports, and even the management of his property; and to such a pitch did his eagerness and infatuation go that he sold many an acre of tillage land to buy books of chivalry to read, and brought home as many of them as he could get.” (Cervantes, I)

The idea of self identity vs. conformity came to light when this character decided to change his name and become someone he desired to be. He renamed and reinvented himself to be Don Quixote, a knight-errant, “...he made up his mind to call himself “Don Quixote,” whence, as has been already said, the authors of this veracious history have inferred that his name must have been beyond a doubt Quixada, and not Quesada as others would have it.” (Cervantes, I) During the Renaissance Period, it was unheard of when it came to changing your conformity. Don Quixote was a poor, country gentlemen who was to continue living beneath his poverty, but he decided not too by changing his self identity. He believed in keeping chivalry and kindness alive. He believed more in self identity then conformity. And he believed that circumstances of your birth did not matter, what did matter was your strength and the strength within your character. This was all based on the books he read on chivalry. All his hopes and visions of a better life came from those stories.

Further into the novel, we are shown how Don Quixote was such an influence to society. When found near his village, a villager finds him and tries to bring him back to his senses. Him wanting to become a knight and keep chivalry alive, struck a huge fire in society. Which can relate to the present day because, judgments are made toward those influencers of social change. Don Quixote doesn’t get persuaded into coming back to his conformity, in which he was believed to be insane.

“Don Quixote was firmly persuaded that this was the Marquis of Mantua, his uncle, so the only answer he made was to go on with his ballad, in which he told the tale of his misfortune, and of the loves of the Emperor’s son and his wife all exactly as the ballad sings it.

The peasant stood amazed at hearing such nonsense, and relieving him of the visor, already battered to pieces by blows, he wiped his face, which was covered with dust, and as soon as he had done so he recognised him and said, “Senor Quixada” (for so he appears to have been called when he was in his senses and had not yet changed from a quiet country gentleman into a knight-errant), “who has brought your worship to this pass?” But to all questions the other only went on with his ballad.” (Cervantes,V)

From the Structure and Theme "Don Quixote" to James Joyce, it explains “On the one hand, Don Quixote is a statement about human behavior, psychology if you will, about the rela­tionship of the individual to his society and to himself.” (Church, 4) Don Quixote’s mindset was different than what society’s mindset was. His self identity and society image was completely out of the norm.

Furthermore, also within the novel “Don Quixote”, the author magnifies the theme of self identity vs. conformity by the adventures Don Quixote creates through his imagination. He begins to lose sight of what is real and what is apart of his fantasy. He begins to pursue chivalry rules and laws, which do not result well. From an infobase Blooms Literature it states, “In the process of Don Quixote's effort to accomplish this impossible feat, Cervantes definitively exposes the nonsensical dimensions of the chivalric tradition and its codes.”, which proves Don Quixote did bring chivalry culture into his society, through his imagination. The transformation from a poor, country gentlemen, to a knight in shining armor was quick and quick to be perceived as Don’s fantasy. He named his horse Rocinante right away, which was from a story in one of his books. He also declared Aldonza Lorenzo to be his “illusionary lady.” All of this based on the chivalry culture. One of Don Quixote’s first adventures, lies within an inn. To Don Quixote this was a castle, due to his imagination. Also, he created characters there. For example, the wrenches at the inn were fair maidens to him and the innkeeper was a lord. These people found this entertaining and believed Don Quixote to be mad. They were intrigued by this and entertained him, “...decided to humor him; so he said that he [Quixote] was quite right to pursue these objectives...that he himself in his younger days had followed the same honourable profession, roaming...through the world in search of adventure” (Cervantes, 372) We can ask ourselves, were the wrenches and innkeeper judgemental toward Don Quixote acts, or did they subconsciously want to join in on his imagination? From The Online Journal of Undergraduate Literary Theory and Criticism it states, “They accept Quixote’s insanity and become a part of it, skewing the line between reality and imagination.” (M. Brett Gaffney, 10) Now we can also ask ourselves this, could imagination give us more truth towards reality? The novel readr, ““madness forces them into their roles...Reality willingly cooperates with a play which dresses it up differently every moment” (Cervantes, 351)

Work Cited

Church, Margret. “Structure and Theme: ‘Don Quixote’ to James Joyce.” Structure and Theme: "Don Quixote" to James Joyce, by Margaret Church, 1920, onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupid?key=olbp41237.

Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, c1983

Cook, James Wyatt. “Don Quixote.” Encyclopedia of Renaissance Literature, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2014. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17443&itemid=WE54&articleId=37520. Accessed 1 May 2019.

“DON QUIXOTE.” THE HISTORY OF DON QUIXOTE, Volume I, www.gutenberg.org/files/5921/5921-h/5921-h.htm.

Gaffney, Brett. “Theocrit: The Online Journal of Undergraduate Literary Theory and Criticism .” Don Quixote: Bridging Reality and Fiction, vol. 2, no. 1, 2009. Google , Scholar, theocrit.sfasu.edu/docs/fall2009/Gaffney Revised.pdf.

“Don Quixote” Blog

“Don Quixote” Blog     

Due April 28th  

World Literature

• Megan Braine •

••Self Identity vs. Conformality••

Self Identity and conformity are two different things. Self Identity is the recognition of one's potential and qualities as an individual. Conformity is behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards. “Don Quixote,” a novel written by Miguel de Cervantes, magnifies the theme of self identity vs. conformity in many sections of its text. The first section we see this theme is in chapter one. In the start of this novel we are introduced to the main character, a gentlemen whom does not provide a name. He is described to be poor and simply boring. He likes and engages in chivalry romance books and desires nothing more.

“You must know, then, that the above-named gentleman whenever he was at leisure (which was mostly all the year round) gave himself up to reading books of chivalry with such ardour and avidity that he almost entirely neglected the pursuit of his field-sports, and even the management of his property; and to such a pitch did his eagerness and infatuation go that he sold many an acre of tillage land to buy books of chivalry to read, and brought home as many of them as he could get.” (Cervantes, Ch.1)

You’d think this character would stay poor, powerless, and continue to live beneath his poverty, but this character changed his conformality to what he wanted, what he wanted his self identity to be. And that was to become a knight, and keep chivalry alive (this was based off his books he read). This character remade himself, and changed his self identification, by changing his name to Don Quixote de la Mancha. “...he made up his mind to call himself “Don Quixote,” whence, as has been already said, the authors of this veracious history have inferred that his name must have been beyond a doubt Quixada, and not Quesada as others would have it.” (Cervantes, Ch.1) Quixote beliefs were toward self identity not conformality. He believed that circumstances of your birth did not matter, what did matter was your strength and the strength within your character. This novel shows Don Quixote, the knight who wants to spread chivalry and kindness. But within this novel, the society in which Quixote is trying to influence is very spectible. There is a great influence of social change from Quixote, which can relate to the present day. And just like this present day, judgments are made toward those influencers of social change. In chapter five, a farmer tries to bring Quixote to realize the truth of his existence, but Quixote ignores it and explains his point of view to the farmer. He is believed to be insane.

“Don Quixote was firmly persuaded that this was the Marquis of Mantua, his uncle, so the only answer he made was to go on with his ballad, in which he told the tale of his misfortune, and of the loves of the Emperor’s son and his wife all exactly as the ballad sings it.

The peasant stood amazed at hearing such nonsense, and relieving him of the visor, already battered to pieces by blows, he wiped his face, which was covered with dust, and as soon as he had done so he recognised him and said, “Senor Quixada” (for so he appears to have been called when he was in his senses and had not yet changed from a quiet country gentleman into a knight-errant), “who has brought your worship to this pass?” But to all questions the other only went on with his ballad.” (Cervantes, Ch.5)

With this specific section, we can clearly view and examine the theme of self identity vs. conformality. This character believed himself to be Don Quixote, that was his real self identity to him. While society knew him as Senor Quixada, this being when he lived with sanity. The theme self identity vs. conformality is shown greatly in this novel. This character did believe is self identity to be something else, while his village people knew him as someone else, his conformality.

Journey to the West: Redemption

“Journey to the West” Blog      Due April 21st  

World Literature

• Megan Braine •

••Redemption••

Journey to the West elaborates on the topic of redemption well. As I expressed in my journal, redemption is being able to fix your mistakes, or show you can improve from your mistakes. Journey to the West is a book full filled with journals and the story tells of disciples who are traveling to the Western Heaven. Sanzang is the monk or master who is on the journey, as well as others. The Monkey, a rebel in Journey to the West, is born and raised to power. He had such great power and strived for immortality. He named himself,  “Great Sage Equal of Heaven.” To achieve immortality the Monkey abused his magical powers and was a huge disruption. For example, he abrupted a festival of immortal peaches by eating all the peaches and getting drunk off wine, in which was stolen. With all of his disruptions he had no remorse. He continued to show off his martial arts and magic powers, and all he had to say for himself was, "My apologies for disturbing you." There is truly no match for him, and he is uncontrollable. (Wu Ch’eng-en, 44) The Monkey needed to be stopped. He was eventually when the Buddha imprisoned him underneath the mountain of five elements.

In this story, we see the redemption is never too late for anyone. There are many passages within it that show progression of redemption. A specific passage where the Monkey shows good power over bad power is in Chapter 27. Sanzang, the Monkey’s was about to send him and his disciples aways. But Monkey began to beg on his knees for forgiveness.

“Monkey knelt down and kowtowed. "When I wrecked the Heavenly Palace," he said, "I put myself in a very dangerous position, and the Buddha crashed me under the Double Boundary Mountain. Luckily the Bodhisattva Guanyin administered the vows to me, and you, master, released me, so if I don't go with you to the Western Heaven I'll look like a 'scoundrel who doesn't return a kindness, with a name that will be cursed forever.’” (Wu Ch’eng-en, 388)

With this statement from the chapter, we see that the Monkey realized he was wrong for murdering a girl for food. Master Sanzang stills threatens to send him away, until he gave in. The Monkey promises to never murder again. “"I never will," said Monkey, "never again." He helped his master mount the horse and led the way forward.” (Wu Ch’eng-en, 390)

Although throughout the journey the Monkey was a rebel, he still contributed in fighting off the monsters and demons. The Monkey is still being watched by the Heavens because of his sins and murderous acts though. So, did the Monkey ever reach redemption? I believe he did. Throughout the journey they didn’t let the battles, rough patches, and other troubles stop them. They used their faith and beliefs to get to nirvana. We read,

“Thus, it is that all the Buddhas of every world Are willing with this achievement To adorn the Pure Land of the Buddha. Above we can repay the fourfold kindness, Below we save those suffering in the three paths of life. Let anyone who sees or hears Cherish the enlightened mind. May all be reborn in the Land of Bliss, To end this present life of retribution.” (1406)

From this, we can conclude that redemption was reached because of the dedication and will to continue the journey, the religious journey based on faith. The journey ended up being such a positive because of worshipment to buddhism, helping others, and rebuilding character, which are all factors of redemption.

Dante Blog

“Dante” Blog       

Due April 7th

World Literature

• Megan Braine •

••Hell••

Inferno addresses the definition of hell in a horrific and unpleasant place. For example the poem reads, “Many tongues, a terrible crying, words of sadness, accents of anger, voices deep and hoarse, with sounds of hands amongst them, making a turbulence that turns forever, in that air, stained, eternally, like sand spiralling in a whirlwind.” (III:22-69) From this single piece of writing from the poem, we can infer that the definition of hell within this poem is horrific. When reading, “These wretches, who never truly lived, were naked, and goaded viciously by hornets, and wasps, there, making their faces stream with blood, that, mixed with tears, was collected, at their feet, by loathsome worms.” (III:58-69), I can witness the suffering going on within hell. The way the poem address hell, I perceive that it is the for the people who didn’t praise god, and only managed themselves. “This is the miserable mode in which those exist, who lived without praise, without blame. They are mixed in with the despised choir of angels, those not rebellious, not faithful to God, but for themselves.” (III:22-69) Furthermore, the people who are in hell don't believe in fate, hope, or any god. They are very hopeless people who live in such a dark mindset. “They have no hope of death, and their darkened life is so mean that they are envious of every other fate. Earth allows no mention of them to exist: mercy and justice reject them: let us not talk of them, but look and pass.’” (III:22-69) Inferno addressing hell with such vouger and descriptiveness, really allowed me to picture what it’d look like. Which is dark, flammable, loud, violent, and more. “‘Woe to you, wicked spirits! Never hope to see heaven: I come to carry you to the other shore, into eternal darkness, into fire and ice. And you, who are there, a living spirit, depart from those who are dead.’” (III:70-99)

"Beowulf" Blog

“Beowulf” Blog          

Due March 31st

World Literature

• Megan Braine •

••Feuding••

The epic poem of “Beowulf” written by an anonymous writer, is about the character Beowulf, nephew of the king Hygelac. Beowulf sees and hears of the demon Grendel who slaughtered many men and tormented on the Danes. Beowulf decides to go to the Danes and help king Hrothgar defeat the demon. With this, comes a lot of violence and feuding. We can infer that feuding is a major theme within this tale. From my journey, I explained that feuding is a prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute. I also mentioned that a feud can involve violence, in which in “Beowulf” that does occur.

One of the first feuds brought up, was between Beowulf and Hrothgar. The feud speaks from the past and involved Beowulf’s father killing Heatholaf, a member of the Wulfing tribe. “Your father’s blow started a mighty feud: He it was killed Heatholaf the Wulfing, With his own hand; and in fear of reprisal His own spear-kin dared not shelter him.” (Kline, 22) To allow Beowulf to help defeat the demon, amends was sent to the Wulfing tribe due to the past feud. “Over the wave-crests, ancient treasure,I sent the Wulfings. Your father took oaths.” (Kline, 22) They accepted them mends, and Beowulf was then able to defeat Grendel. The next feud to arise was when Beowulf’s heroic status was questions. The accusation was made that Beowulf will meet another defeat when he goes up against Grendel, from a past defeat from Breca. This outrages Beowulf and he defends his heroic status. “‘Are you that Beowulf who battled with Breca On the open sea, paddling the ocean?...Gliding over the sea, the breakers falling; In winter’s tide; seven nights toiling; In the water’s clutches. He beat you at sea, The mightier man.” (Kline, 23) To defend himself Beowulf responded, “‘Now, Unferth, my friend, drunk on beer, You’ve talked a lot about Breca...We were there together, on that sea, For five nights, till the waves parted us, The swell high, weather of the coldest, Night blackening, and the north wind Fierce against us, the waves run wild, And the sea-creatures were angered...However it was given me; To reach the monster, with the point; Of my sword. In the swirl I killed, The mighty sea-beast, with my own hand.’” (Kline, 24) Now the biggest feud and the violent fight was between Beowulf and the demon Grendel. Beowulf showed his heroic status within this feud and showed the demon who he was messing with. “Now that herdsman of horrors found He had never met, in all middle-earth, In the whole wide world, a tighter grip From another creature. In his heart, He feared for his life, couldn’t wait, For a chance to run, ready to flee, To his devil’s nest.” (Kline, 23) Beowulf was stronger then Grendel thought he’d be. Grendel became desperate in this fight and struggled to get away. Never did Grendel thing another creature could defeat him. Now, the people of the land of the Danes believed the feud with the demon was over. They celebrated and praised Beowulf for his heroic actions. No one knew that Grendel’s mother would desire revenge. We can infer that because of this feud between the humans and the monsters, it is bigger than can be expressed. This feud is not in the norm of the peoples culture or morals. Ultimately, Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother and brings her head to confirm the kill. “The pool seethed with gore, I beheaded Grendel’s mother, in those deep halls, With a mighty blade.” (Kline, 78) Overall, feuds were a huge part of the tale “Beowulf.” It showed all parts of the feuds within the tale as well. For example it showed the cause, the encounter, and the resolution. These feuds were violent and all ended with a death. Beowulf was able to help king Hrothgar and defeat Grendel as well as Grendel’s mother. Beowulf was a heroic figure, the greatest hero.

Paper 1: Rough Draft

Megan Braine

Professor Spano

ENG-225

March 23, 2019

Too Good not to Read: Why “The Odyssey” is a Must Read

Throughout a person’s lifetime, they will meet and come across many people they may or may not know. Also throughout a person’s lifetime, they will come across people who are welcoming and help them out in a simple or tough time. Viceversa, they’ll come across people who do the opposite of that. Hospitality is something that every person should have. Hospitality is simply being friendly, welcoming, and generous. Hospitality can be viewed or expressed in many different situations. For example, if you are hosting an event or a simple family gathering at your home, if you are meeting someone for the first time, if you have an interview, etc. Hospitality can even be a word to describe a place or an area. When it comes to Hospitality, a person should always try to represent and be their best selves. You can show hospitality to your friends, family, and/or a stranger. When dealing with strangers, the most important thing to remember is your safety. There are some people in this world who are just not good people. When in a situation, it should be quiet clear if you are safe or not. Sometimes it could not be as clear, but most times it is. For example, if you are hosting an event in your home, you definitely want to know who will be attending. Another example of hospitality to a stranger is being kind, don’t be judgemental. It is important to be open minded because everyone is different, but everyone has something amazing and unique about them. An impressive read that gives a good representation of Hospitality is “The Odyssey”. Xenia, a word used by Ancient Greeks, is the formal word of Hospitality. Xenia meaning “guest-friendship,” is Ancient Greeks concept of Hospitality and the showmanship shown to anyone who is/was far from home. Hospitality to Ancient Greeks was a sacred social structure during the bronze age, twelfth century b.c.e, and in “The Odyssey”, the author Homer expresses and shows how hospitality was so important to Ancient Greeks throughout his books.

In Homer’s epic poetry book “The Odyssey,” the main character Odysseus struggles to make his way home after the end of the Trojan war. From the beginning of his journey home to the end of his journey home, Odysseus comes across Hospitality from many strangers. Both in a positive way, and a negative way. Odysseus is treated like a god, from most people that he crossed paths with. He receives food, shelter, and clothes from them, all in which shows great hospitality. With all of Odysseus’s struggles, he must be brave, strong, and fearless. He loses many men on his way home, but Odysseus did eventually make it there. Odysseus travels from Phaeacia to the goddess Circe’s palace to the goddess Calypso’s palace, and to a Cyclopes’s cave. While Odysseus tries to get home, his wife is home waiting for him. Penelope his wife, is approached by suitors in which threaten her marriage with Odysseus. In the article “Three Models of Authority in the "Odyssey"”, it’s expressed to us that,

“Penelope must prove that Odysseus is genuinely her husband; Odysseus must lay to rest any of those doubts raised by the poem that Penelope is still faithful to him. The ingenuity of the bed trick is that it is not an absolute proof of either his identity or her fidelity,  but requires from both husband and wife an act of mutual trust.” (Chaston 16)

Overall, “The Odyssey,” gives great examples of quality hospitality and poor hospitality, in which teaches us many moral life lessons. This is a book everyone needs to read at some point in time.

Odysseus journey back to his kingdom was for 10 years, which included kind gestures of hospitality from strangers, the first occurring in Phaeacia. When he gets to Phaeacia he has no clothing due to the sinking of his ship. “With that Odysseus emerged from the bushes.He broke off a leafy branch from the undergrowth And held it before him to cover himself.” (Homer 88) Princess Nausicaa finds him and gives him clothing. She also offers him food as well as help to return home. Without questioning Odysseus about his name, home, or background information, the King and Queen of Princess Nausicaa, invited Odysseus for dinner. They offer him food, along with entertainment. Eventually Odysseus reveals himself; he tells them who he really is. The people then help him to continue his journey home and give him gifts at shore. “As Nausicaa, Alcinous' daughter, had ordered. They set down a mantle and a tunic, Gave him a golden flask of olive oil, And told him to wash in the river.” (Homer 91) The women in Phaeacia bathe Odysseus and from what i learned in “The Hospitality of Noble Women in the Odyssey” by Victoria Pedrick, this is a gesture of Hospitality to the greeks; “gesture of hospitality is to arrange a bath for the guest, a task that is treated as an innocuous chore and delegated to servants.” (Pedrick I) At Phaeacia, Odysseus was showed a great level of hospitality. Going back to the word Xenia, the King Queen and others did not ask Odysseus who he was. They immediately invited him for a feast and treated him like royalty.

“They were serving food and mixing the wine When the herald came up leading the bard,

Honored Demodocus, and seated him on a chair Propped against a tall pillar in the middle of the hall. Odysseus, with his great presence of mind, Cut off part of a huge chine of roast pork Glistening with fat, and said to the herald.” (Homer 120)

Next, Odyssey and his men stubble upon the beautiful witch-goddess Circe, who allowed him and his men to stay in her palace. At first Circe turned all of Odysseus’s men into pigs, but Odysseus convinced her to changed them back and never to harm him. “Those men of yours are up in Circe's house, Penned like pigs into crowded little sties. And you've come to free them?” (Homer 149) Odysseus and his men stayed in Circe’s palace for a year. The men ate there, relaxed there, and waited till they thought it was time to go. Again, we see a great deal of hospitality from goddess Circe to Odysseus and his men.

Odysseus then receives hospitality from the goddess Calypso, in which he was kept at her palace for many years. She was generous to Odysseus and gave him a place to stay for a long while. She also provided food and water as well. When Odysseus was ready to leave and continue his journey, Calypso gave him a magical raft that could take him wherever he needed to go.

“Calypso saw him off her island, After she had bathed him and dressed him In fragrant clothes. She filled up a skin With wine that ran black, another large one With water, and tucked into a duffel A generous supply of hearty provisions. And she put a breeze at his back, gentle and warm.” (Homer 77)

“Calypso brought him a large piece of cloth To make into a sail, and he fashioned that, too. He rigged up braces and halyards and lines, Then levered his craft down to the glittering sea.” (Homer 77)

From previous information presented, we can see that Odysseus’s journey back home was a bumpy and dangerous expedition, but with the help of others he got through. One character that showed opposite examples of hospitality was the Cyclopes. When Odysseus and his men arrived to a cave, they were not aware a Cyclopes was around. Opposed to the Phaeacians not asking Odysseus who he was, or why they were here, the Cyclopes did. “Who are you strangers? Sailing the seas, huh? Where from, and what for? Pirates, probably, Roaming around causing people trouble.” (Homer 131) The Cyclopes did not care for the Gods. Odysseus asked for gifts and acts of hospitality due to their situation, but he didn’t care and ate some of Odysseus’s men. “Cyclopes Don't care about Zeus or his aegis Or the blessed gods, since we are much stronger.” (Homer 132)

“Cyclops, You ask me my name, my glorious name, And I will tell it to you. Remember now,

To give me the gift just as you promised. Noman is my name. They call me Noman— My mother, my father, and all my friends, too.” (Homer 135)

The Cyclopes response to Odysseus asking for gifts was, “Noman I will eat last after his friends.Friends first, him last. That's my gift to you.” (Homer 135) To get the Cyclopes to release them and make him corporate they give him wine, then stab him in the eye, blinding him. Eventually being able to escape with herd of ship. The Cyclopes did not show Xenia or in other words Hospitality at all. He trapped the men in the cave, ate some of the men, and threatened to eat Odysseus. From the article, Assembly and Hospitality in the Cyclôpeia, the interpret that from this specific section, it is non-xenia. “Odysseus’ uninvited entrance into his “host’s” cave, Polyphemus’ inquiring after his “guest’s” name before offering a meal, the monster’s eating of his visitors instead of feeding them, and his guest-gift of promising to consume “No One” last have all been examined in ways that heighten our appreciation of the narrative.” (Newton 2)

On one of Odysseus and his men’s last stops, they did something that takes away from their noble and brave character. At Thrinacia, the home of Helios’s cattle, the men stayed there for a month because of the direction of the wind. After a month of staying there, the men started to run out of food. They soon ended up feasting on the cattle, which is against Ancient Greek beliefs, especially on this land. This action from Odysseus and the men shows poor character to who they are. Throughout the journey home they received food, shelter, clothing, and more. To eat the cattle, on the land that was home to Helios’s cattle was wrong. After the gods found out about this they were punished and they deserved it.

“If you leave these unharmed and keep your mind. On your journey, you might yet struggle home To Ithaca. But if you harm them, I foretell. Disaster for your ship and crew, and even if you Escape yourself, you shall come home late. And badly, having lost all your companions.” (Homer 182)

Zeus created a storm to affect their travels at sea after that. Causing rain and wind to destroy their ships. “My men got up and furled the sails, Stowed them in the ship's hold, then sat down. At their oars and whitened the water with pine.” (Homer 183) This whole series of events, does not show Odysseus true character, which is brave, strong, and trustworthy. Also, this doesn’t show respect to the gods or Ancient Greeks beliefs and culture. While researching, I found that one professor did not agree with how hospitality was shown, “Professor Newton argues how that adventure illustrates two important type scenes found in the Odyssey—those of violated hospitality…” (Myrsiades 2)

My stories I’ve read in the past have shown me a good representation of a theme or lesson, but “The Odyssey,” shows both good and bad. Hospitality to Ancient Greeks was a sacred social structure during the bronze age, twelfth century b.c.e, and in “The Odyssey”, the author Homer expresses and shows how hospitality was so important to Ancient Greeks throughout his books. This book should most definitely be at the top of your reading list for the following reasons. One, it shows hospitality in the best way. How someone should treat a stranger, greet a stranger, and help out a stranger in need. Two, it also provides a representation of the worst kind of hospitality. It’s metaphorically speaking but we can see the bigger picture from it. And lastly, because throughout the whole book, Homer was able to see how people can not realize how much they receive from others and take advantage of that. Overall Odysseus soley survived off of the hospitality from others. From the article Assembly and Hospitality in the Cyclôpeia is tells us, “Most critics cite the hero’s reckless blurting out of his name to Polyphemus as the act that results in his ten years of wandering, the loss of his comrades, and the troubles he finds in his house: see Bradley (1968), Brown (1966), and Dimock (1971). According to these views, Odysseus could have avoided trouble if he had not spoken out.” (Newton 40) After reading this we can ask ourselves, how would Odysseus journey be different if he didn’t receive hospitality from others?

Work Cited

Newton, Rick M. “Assembly and Hospitality in the ‘Cyclôpeia.’” College Literature, vol. 35, no. 4, Fall 2008, pp. 1–44. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1353/lit.0.0029.

Pedrick, Victoria. "“The Hospitality of Noble Women in the Odyssey”." Classical and Medieval Literature Criticism, edited by Lawrence J. Trudeau, vol. 166, Gale, 2014. Literature Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1420118127/GLS?u=edis78478&sid=GLS&xid=d6076d98. Accessed 19 Mar. 2019.

Myrsiades, Kostas. “Homer; Analysis and Influence.” College Literature, vol. 35, no. 4, Fall 2008, pp. xi–xix. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.middlesexcc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=34632974&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Colleen Chaston. “Three Models of Authority in the ‘Odyssey.’” The Classical World, vol. 96, no. 1, 2002, pp. 3–19. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4352712.

"The Odyssey" Blog

“The Odyssey” Blog

                               Due March 9th 

World Literature

• Megan Braine •

••Hospitality to Strangers••

Like I presented in my journal, hospitality is very important, especially in Ancient Greek culture. Hospitality is also a major theme within “The Odyssey”. In a nutshell, without the hospitality and care Odysseus received he may have never made it back to his kingdom. Throughout Odysseus journey back to his kingdom he came across many people that helped him. For example, the Phaiakians, Calypso, Eumaeus, and Menelaus.

So, let’s take a look at how each one of these mythical characters helped Odysseus throughout his journey back to his kingdom. The Phaiakians, which we can see were maybe one of the most nice and generous people Odysseus met, helped him with open arms. These people gave Odysseus food, shelter, and a way to get home. Because Odysseus was a king, the Phaiakians hosted a feast for him. In Ancient Greek culture, Hospitality was to be shown to kings, gods, and others as a sign of respect. “In the land of the Phaeacians, our distant relatives, Who will treat Odysseus as if he were a god And take him on a ship to his own native land With gifts of bronze and clothing and gold, More than he ever would have taken back from Troy Had he come home safely with his share of the loot. That's how he's destined to see his dear ones again And return to his high-gabled Ithacan home." (Homer 71) Another person to help Odysseus was, Calypso. She was generous to Odysseus and gave him a place to stay for a long while. She also provided food and water as well. When Odysseus was ready to leave and continue his journey, Calypso gave him a magical raft that could take him wherever he needed to go. “Calypso saw him off her island, After she had bathed him and dressed him In fragrant clothes. She filled up a skin With wine that ran black, another large one With water, and tucked into a duffel A generous supply of hearty provisions. And she put a breeze at his back, gentle and warm.” (Homer 77) “Calypso brought him a large piece of cloth To make into a sail, and he fashioned that, too. He rigged up braces and halyards and lines, Then levered his craft down to the glittering sea.” (Homer 77)  Now, although poor, Eumaeus helped Odysseus as well as Telemachus. Eumaeus gave them food and shelter as well during their journey. He also helped Odysseus come up with a plan to remove suitors. (Homer 392)Eumaeus was a very hospitable person. Overall Odysseus survive solely off of the hospitality of others. After reading this we can ask ourselves, how would Odysseus journey be different if he didn’t receive hospitality from others? Also, we can ask if hospitality was performed by greeks in fear of gods?