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Michael Perry

ENG 303

Dr. Moulton

5 November 2014

Gods’ Fickleness

In ancient Greece, respect was shown to Zeus, the god of travelers, by means of offering

hospitality to travelers. Through his travels in The Odyssey, Odysseus encounters various

situations in which he is the recipient of good and bad hospitality in the eyes of the Greeks.

However, where one god may appreciate the hospitality in his name, there are more than one

god. Whether one adheres strictly to the code or breaks it, the favors of the gods are a fickle

thing, and as in the case of the Cyclopes and the Phaeacians, it seems that the Greek notion of

hospitality has little sway in garnering the favor of the gods.

When Odysseus arrived at the land of the Cyclopes, he first wanted “…to find out what

those men are like, Wild savages with no sense of right or wrong Or hospitable folk who fear the

gods” (IX.169-171). Odysseus has his guard up, yet he clearly expects that any civilized person

would be hospitable as the gods are said to appreciate. Upon arriving, Odysseus reminds

Polyphemus to treat them with hospitality lest he garner the wrath of the gods. Polyphemus,

however, scoffs at the gods and instead eats two of Odysseus’ men (IX.258-285). Again, at dawn

and dusk, Polyphemus eats two of Odysseus’ men, thus lessening his total crew by six (IX. 304-

340). Odysseus executes his plan to attack Polyphemus and blinds him (IX.380-400). Even

though Polyphemus broke all Greek notions of hospitality by scoffing the gods and eating his

guests, he was the son of Poseidon, and thus was given the favor of his father. Polyphemus

prayed to Poseidon to burden Odysseus’ return home, and he obliged (IX.526-534).

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The gods, while they claim to appreciate certain actions, instead have a stronger sense of

playing favorites. Even though Polyphemus scoffed at being a god-fearing individual, indeed

insisting that he does not fear Zeus, himself, his prayer to his father was answered in full

(IX.265-270). Poseidon brought his full wrath upon Odysseus for blinding Polyphemus, even

though it was what he needed to do to save his own life from a creature that scoffs at the idea of

hospitality to honor the gods.

On the other hand, the Phaeacians are an example of perfect Greek hospitality. Upon

meeting Nausicaa, he is greeted warmly by her and scolds her maids for running from him,

insisting that, “All strangers, All beggars, are under the protection of Zeus, and even small gifts

are welcome…” (VI.212-214). Upon supplicating himself to Arete, an elder of the city insists

that they give Odysseus an honored seat “And bid the heralds Mix wine, so we may pour

libations also to Zeus… And let the housekeeper bring out food for our guest” (VII.168-175).

Indeed, the Phaeacians go above and beyond, showering Odysseus with gifts, offering him safe

passage, throwing a banquet and holding a tournament. However, Poseidon is enraged at the

Phaeacians for giving Odysseus a smooth, safe journey back home from their lands and requests

permission from Zeus “… to smash that beautiful Phaeacian ship As it sails for home over the

misty sea… so that they will stop this nonsense Once and for all, giving men safe passage! And

I’ll hem their city in with a mountain” (XIII.152-158). Then Zeus, himself, agrees with the plan

and helps make it hit the Phaeacians even harder, suggesting that he strike the ship down within

sight of the city so that all the Phaeacians can see (XIII.160-164).

The Phaeacians tried to abide, in the most generous way, to what was set forth to them as

a respect of the gods through hospitality. However, because one god was displeased with one

man they kept safe and gave safe passage to, their land was enveloped by a mountain and the
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returning ship destroyed. Even Zeus, who is the god of travelers and helped to return Odysseus

home, helped Poseidon make his retribution on the Phaeacians more effective.

The gods in The Odyssey show their fickle nature. They aid one who scoffs them and

ignores the value of hospitality because he is the son of a god, yet strike ruin on a city that has

upheld their notions of hospitality with the most respect because they gave hospitality and

passage to a man that one god did not like. The gods of ancient Greece often seemed to treat

mortals with a sort of indifference, casting their favor to seemingly random individuals and

people.