The Odyssey Essay: Greek Culture and Life as Evident in The Odyssey.

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The Odyssey Essay: Greek Culture and Life as Evident in The Odyssey.

During the Dark Ages (1200 - 800 B.C.), the art of writing was uncared for and lost. Furthermore, during this age the population of the world had declined, along with the wealth of individuals. It is during that time period, however, that Homer composed The Odyssey. Although written during the Dark Ages, Homer writes about the Late Bronze Age (1600 - 1200 B.C.) when life was much better. The Odyssey is said to have never been written down, and only orally passed on. Nonetheless, for the reason that this is such a long epic, it is believed that at least some part of this long epic must have been inscribed. Although a myth, many aspects of Greek culture and life are portrayed well in The Odyssey, such as the great hospitality that the Greeks had and showed towards visitors, the gods in which the Greeks believed in, and how the Greeks kept themselves entertained in their leisure hours during the day.

Hospitality is one of the more obvious aspects that Greeks seem to have throughout The Odyssey. As soon as Telemachus sees Athena disguised as Mentor, he scurries towards her and invites him to eat. "Welcome, Friend! he said. You can tell us what has brought you here when you have had some food" (Pg. 7). The Greeks frequently invited their guests to eat before questioning their identities or where they had come from. Also, when a guest was to leave the house of his host, the host would usually give his departing guest gifts as a memory and as a farewell item. "Stay for twelve days or so, and then I'll send you off in style. You shall have glorious gifts from me - three horses and...