Demi Mendez
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
June 1, 2011
Response Essay # 3
In the first three acts of the play Othello, Iago is seen as a man of honesty and trust. In this tragic drama, Iago has gained the trust of Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello. Iago doesn’t like these men but because he is so conniving he gains their trust. Little do they know Iago is trying to destroy them; therefore he forms a plan for each of them. Iago’s plan is to use Roderigo, and destroy both Cassio and Othello. Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello are like Iago’s puppets. He uses them for his entertainment.
The first victim in the tragic drama is Roderigo. Roderigo states that he is in love with Desdemona but she is married to the Moor (Othello). Roderigo has enough trust in Iago that he starts to give Iago money so he can buy Desdemona gifts to woo her. Roderigo believes that Iago is an honest man and is buying the gifts for her, not realizing that he is strictly putting the money in his pocket and keeping it for himself. In act 1 scene 3, Roderigo starts to feel intimidated and states to Iago “I will incontinently drown myself/It is silliness to live when to live is torment;” (1.3.308-11) Iago then tricks Roderigo when he states to him “I hate the Moor” (1.3.367-68) and convinces Roderigo to “make money” (1.3.366) and that he will eventually woo Desdemona with the gifts. Iago himself states “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; / For I mine own gained knowledge should profane, / But for my sport and profit, I hate the Moor” (1.3.384-87), meaning that Roderigo can continue giving him money but is just a fool in love to notice that Iago is stealing it from him.
Othello has made Cassio lieutenant and Iago is extremely jealous of his position. Iago wanted to be offered the lieutenant position but Othello felt that Cassio who is a fine, handsome man is more deserving of it. Iago intends to ruin him and his reputation and forms a plan against him, but like Roderigo he has Cassio’s trust. Iago offers Cassio to drink with him but Cassio refuses at first. Iago states “But one cup!” (2.3.34) and Cassio changes his mind. Cassio becomes drunk and eventually acts in a way that he is not supposed to. Othello walks in and says to Iago “Honest Iago, that dead with grieving, / Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.” (2.3.171-72). Iago then answers and Othello dismiss Cassio of his position and goes back to bed. Everything is going as planned. Iago mentions before Cassio, Montano, and servants arrive “Am I to put Cassio on some action/ That may offend the isle.” (2.3.57-58). He is basically already stating that he is going to set up Cassio so that he would lose his position as lieutenant. Once Cassio loses his job he goes to Iago for comfort, where Iago shows Cassio that he is an honest trustworthy man. Iago later on convinces Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair, convincing Othello that Cassio is a threat and must be killed.
Othello is a well-respected man to those who are around him. Iago has a huge grudge against the Moor for many reasons. Iago is upset about Othello promoting Cassio to lieutenant and overall just jealous of all the Moor’s possessions. In act 2 scene 3, Othello states to Iago “Honest Iago, that dead with grieving, / Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.” (2.3.171-72). Othello trust Iago when asking who started the first and believe every word that he stated. Othello doesn’t know that Iago is forming a plan against him in order to destroy him. Iago manages to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Iago states his plan for Othello out loud.
Till I am evened with him, wife for wife,Or failing so, yet that I put the MoorAt least into a jealousy so strongThat judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trashFor his quick hunting, stand the putting on,I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb—For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too—Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward meFor making him egregiously an ass(2.2.301-11)
Iago states that he wants Othello to look stupid and believe every word of his. He eventually wants to destroy Othello and eventually has Othello kill his wife and himself, leaving Iago with the last word.
All and all, Iago is a manipulator. He was able to fool all of these men. It was quite a pleasure for Iago to make these men look belligerent and lose everything that they worked so hard for, which was their reputation. Iago destroyed their lives because he didn’t like his. Iago was seen as such an honest and trustworthy man who in the end was the man who shouldn’t have been seen in such a way. Iago was able to destroy Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello all because he was jealous himself.
Demi Mendez
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
May 25, 2011
Response Essay #2
What is a hero? According to Google, a hero is “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”. According to dictionary.com, a hero is “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. It’s a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal”. Both sites seem to know the definition of what a hero is but say it differently. So what is the definition of a hero? Well, the definition of a hero is what a person feels a hero is. My definition of a hero would be someone (he or she) who has the qualities of strength, knowledge, intelligence, courage, endurance and a person who overall is just like everyone else. This person doesn’t have to be a god to be a hero but someone who has morals to do well for others. Odysseus is a hero because he has the qualities of cunning and endurance.
The qualities of cunning and endurance go hand in hand. Odysseus throughout the poem wants to go home but is constantly caught in situations that prevent him from completing his journey to his homecoming. Odysseus has been away from Ithaka for 20 years, but has endurance to make it home. On the journey to Ithaka, Odysseus in book IX runs into the Cyclopes when he states “I would not spare you or your companions either, if the fancy took me otherwise” (lines 277 to 279). The Cyclopes eats two of his men when Odysseus realizes that he and his companions are in great danger. The thought of completing the journey to Ithaka has endurance on Odysseus when he states in book IX lines 315 to317 “And so the Cyclopes, whistling loudly, guided his fat flocks to the hills, leaving me there in the cave mumbling my black thoughts of how I might punish him”. Odysseus gets revenge on the Cyclopes and punishes him by blinding him with a spear he had made. Odysseus clearly shows endurance to get home and save his companions in this episode of the poem.
Continuing on with endurance, in order to be able to complete the revenge on the Cyclopes Odysseus needed to be smart showing his quality of cunning. Before Odysseus is able to stab the Cyclopes in the eye he has to fool him. In book IX Odysseus states “Here , Cyclopes, have a drink of wine , now you have fed on human flesh, and see what kind of drink our ship carried inside her” (lines 347 to 349). Little did Cyclopes know that Odysseus’ plan is to get revenge on him. Odysseus fools the Cyclopes not once but twice. Odysseus needs a way to leave the cave he and his companions are trapped in. After stabbing the Cyclopes in the eye “ the Cyclopes, groaning aloud in the pain of his agony, felt with his hands, and took the boulder out of the doorway, and sat down in the entrance himself, spreading his arms wide, to catch anyone who tried to get out with the sheep” (lines 415 to 418). Odysseus states “there was one ram, far the finest of all the flock. This one I clasped around the back, snuggled under the wool of the belly, and stayed there still” (line 432 to 433). Odysseus is cunning enough to make the Cyclopes think Odysseus is in the cave when he has already been able to get out with his companions.
All and all, Odysseus is a hero in my eyes because of the qualities he possesses. He has the qualities of endurance and cunning. These two qualities are some of the basic qualities a hero needs. Odysseus isn’t a god but is a mortal who is able to do god-like things. He not only has endurance to be strong but has the cunningness to be able to fool those who are sent in his path to prevent him from making it home. Odysseus is a hero in many ways and clearly shows it in the epic poem The Odyssey.
Demi Mendez
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
May 18, 2011 Response Essay # 2 Revision
There are many prominent codes of behavior in the society depicted in the first half of The Odyssey. These codes are made by the gods and are to be followed by the mortals. Mortals are to obey the codes; if not there is punishment for their disobedience. The two most prominent codes of behavior are loyalty and hospitality.
One prominent code of behavior shown in the first half of The Odyssey is loyalty, for example, the King to his subjects, gods to mortals, and husbands to wives. The king is to protect his subjects and make wise decisions for his people. He is to think of what’s best for his kingdom and the people who live in it, while his subjects are to honor him, respect him, and be loyal to him and his rules. In book I lines 245 to 251, Telemachos tells Mentes, who is Athene in disguise, that the suitors are acting up in such a way that they are destroying the house and don’t have any respect for Odysseus (their king). Gods are to give advice, guidance, and help, while the mortals are to sacrifice animals, pour libations, build temples, pray, and obey the codes. In book I lines 271 to 305, the goddess Athene advices Telemachos to find out about his father and tells him what he needs to do to stop the madness in his house.
Fidelity is another code that can also go under loyalty. A husband is to protect, provide, and treat his wife well, while she is to be sexually faithful to her husband. In book II lines 87 to 110, Penelope tries to throw off the suitors so she won’t have to marry one of them. In the epic poem The Odyssey, Antinoos states to Telemachos “and yet you have no cause to blame the Achaian suitors, but it is your own dear mother, and she is greatly resourceful. And now it is the third year, and will be the fourth year presently, since she has been denying the desires of the Achaians”. Antinoos clearly states that Penelope has been faithful to her husband ever since the time of his departure.
Hospitality is another huge code that’s enforced by Zeus, the god of all gods. The host is to provide food/wine, shelter, protection, entertainment, a bath, and gifts, whereas the guest in return is to give honest information; explain purpose of the journey, where she or he is from; show gratitude, and give their name / their father’s name. In book I line 113 to lines 124, Telemachos invites Mentes (Athene) in and showing hospitality. In lines 179 to 205, Mentes (Athene) is provides all the information Telemachos asks for.
All and all, in the first half of The Odyssey there are many prominent codes of behavior in the society. The two most important ones that were represented in the first half of The Odyssey are loyalty and hospitality. People are to obey by these codes and if not are there is punishment. Obeying the codes of behavior is a way to show respect to the gods and for that reason they obey them.
Demi Mendez
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
May 18, 2011 Response Essay # 1 Revision
There are many prominent codes of behavior in the society depicted in the first halfof The Odyssey. These codes are made by the Gods and are to be followed by the mortals. Every mortal is toobey the codes, if not they are to be punished and pay for their disobedience.The two most prominent codes of behavior would be loyalty and hospitality.
One prominent code of behavior shown in the first half of The Odyssey would be loyalty, for example, the King to hissubjects, Gods to mortals, and husbands to wives. The king is to protect his subjects and makewise decisions for his people. He is to think of what’s best for his kingdomand the people who live in it, while his subjects are to honor him, respecthim, and be loyal to him and his rules. In book I lines 245 to 251, Telemachostells Mentes, who is Athene in disguise, that the suitors are acting up in sucha way that they are destroying the house and don’t have any respect for Odysseus(their king). Gods are to give advice, guidance, and help, while the mortalsare to sacrifice animals, libations, build temples, pray, and obey the codes. In book I lines 271 to 305, the goddess Atheneadvices Telemachos to find out about his father and tell him what he needs todo to stop the madness in his house.
Fidelity is another code that can also gounder loyalty. A husband is to protect, provide, and treat his wife well, whileshe is to be sexually faithful to her husband. In book II lines 87 to 110, Penelope tried to throw off the suitors soshe wouldn’t have to marry one of them. She has been faithful to her husbandever since the time of his departure.
Hospitality is another huge code that’s enforced by Zeus, the god of all gods. The host isto provide food/wine, shelter, protection, entertainment, a bath, and gifts,whereas the guest in return is to give honest information, his purpose of journey,where she or he is from, gratitude, and give their name / their father’s name. In book I line 113 to lines 124, Telemachos isinviting Mentes (Athene) in and showing hospitality. In lines 179 to 205,Mentes (Athene) is providing all the information Telemachos asks for.
All andall, in the first half of The Odysseythere are many prominent codes of behavior in the society. The two mostimportant ones that were represented in the first half of The Odyssey are loyalty and hospitality. Everyone is to obey by these codes and if notthey are to be punished. It was a way to show respect to the gods and for that reason they obey them.
There are many prominent codes of behavior in the society depicted in the first half of The Odyssey. One would be loyalty. For example, the King to his subjects, Gods to mortals, and husbands to wives. The king to its subjects is to protect and make wise decisions for his people. He is to think of what’s better for his kingdom and the people, who live in it, while his subjects are to honor him, respect him, and be loyal to him and his rules. Shown in book 1from lines 245 to 251 Telemachos tells Mentes ( Athene) that the suitors are acting up in such a way that they are destroying the house and don’t have any respect for Odysseus(their king) . Gods are to give advice, guidance, and help, while the mortals are to sacrifice animals, pour wine on the floor, build temples, pray, and obey the codes. Shown in book 1 from lines 271 to 305 Goddess Athene guides Telemachos to finding out about his father and what he needs to do to stop the madness in his house. Fidelity is another code that can also go under loyalty. A husband to his wife is to protect, provide, and give good treatment to his wife, while she is to be sexually faithful to her husband. In book 2 from lines 87 to 110, Penelope was trying to throw off the suitors so she wouldn’t have to marry them. She was still being faithful to her husband.
Hospitality is another huge code that’s been enforced by Zeus, the God of all Gods. The host is to provide food/wine, shelter, protection, entertainment, baths, and gifts whereas the guest in return is to give honest information, his purpose of journey, where they are from, gratitude, and their name / their father’s name. Seen in book 1 from line 113 to lines 124 Telemachos is inviting Mentes (Athene) in and showing hospitality. In lines 179 to 205 Mentes (Athene) is providing all the information Telemachos ask for.
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
June 1, 2011
Response Essay # 3
In the first three acts of the play Othello, Iago is seen as a man of honesty and trust. In this tragic drama, Iago has gained the trust of Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello. Iago doesn’t like these men but because he is so conniving he gains their trust. Little do they know Iago is trying to destroy them; therefore he forms a plan for each of them. Iago’s plan is to use Roderigo, and destroy both Cassio and Othello. Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello are like Iago’s puppets. He uses them for his entertainment.
The first victim in the tragic drama is Roderigo. Roderigo states that he is in love with Desdemona but she is married to the Moor (Othello). Roderigo has enough trust in Iago that he starts to give Iago money so he can buy Desdemona gifts to woo her. Roderigo believes that Iago is an honest man and is buying the gifts for her, not realizing that he is strictly putting the money in his pocket and keeping it for himself. In act 1 scene 3, Roderigo starts to feel intimidated and states to Iago “I will incontinently drown myself/It is silliness to live when to live is torment;” (1.3.308-11) Iago then tricks Roderigo when he states to him “I hate the Moor” (1.3.367-68) and convinces Roderigo to “make money” (1.3.366) and that he will eventually woo Desdemona with the gifts. Iago himself states “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; / For I mine own gained knowledge should profane, / But for my sport and profit, I hate the Moor” (1.3.384-87), meaning that Roderigo can continue giving him money but is just a fool in love to notice that Iago is stealing it from him.
Othello has made Cassio lieutenant and Iago is extremely jealous of his position. Iago wanted to be offered the lieutenant position but Othello felt that Cassio who is a fine, handsome man is more deserving of it. Iago intends to ruin him and his reputation and forms a plan against him, but like Roderigo he has Cassio’s trust. Iago offers Cassio to drink with him but Cassio refuses at first. Iago states “But one cup!” (2.3.34) and Cassio changes his mind. Cassio becomes drunk and eventually acts in a way that he is not supposed to. Othello walks in and says to Iago “Honest Iago, that dead with grieving, / Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.” (2.3.171-72). Iago then answers and Othello dismiss Cassio of his position and goes back to bed. Everything is going as planned. Iago mentions before Cassio, Montano, and servants arrive “Am I to put Cassio on some action/ That may offend the isle.” (2.3.57-58). He is basically already stating that he is going to set up Cassio so that he would lose his position as lieutenant. Once Cassio loses his job he goes to Iago for comfort, where Iago shows Cassio that he is an honest trustworthy man. Iago later on convinces Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair, convincing Othello that Cassio is a threat and must be killed.
Othello is a well-respected man to those who are around him. Iago has a huge grudge against the Moor for many reasons. Iago is upset about Othello promoting Cassio to lieutenant and overall just jealous of all the Moor’s possessions. In act 2 scene 3, Othello states to Iago “Honest Iago, that dead with grieving, / Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.” (2.3.171-72). Othello trust Iago when asking who started the first and believe every word that he stated. Othello doesn’t know that Iago is forming a plan against him in order to destroy him. Iago manages to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Iago states his plan for Othello out loud.
Till I am evened with him, wife for wife,Or failing so, yet that I put the MoorAt least into a jealousy so strongThat judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trashFor his quick hunting, stand the putting on,I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb—For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too—Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward meFor making him egregiously an ass(2.2.301-11)
Iago states that he wants Othello to look stupid and believe every word of his. He eventually wants to destroy Othello and eventually has Othello kill his wife and himself, leaving Iago with the last word.
All and all, Iago is a manipulator. He was able to fool all of these men. It was quite a pleasure for Iago to make these men look belligerent and lose everything that they worked so hard for, which was their reputation. Iago destroyed their lives because he didn’t like his. Iago was seen as such an honest and trustworthy man who in the end was the man who shouldn’t have been seen in such a way. Iago was able to destroy Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello all because he was jealous himself.
Demi Mendez
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
May 25, 2011
Response Essay #2
What is a hero? According to Google, a hero is “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”. According to dictionary.com, a hero is “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. It’s a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal”. Both sites seem to know the definition of what a hero is but say it differently. So what is the definition of a hero? Well, the definition of a hero is what a person feels a hero is. My definition of a hero would be someone (he or she) who has the qualities of strength, knowledge, intelligence, courage, endurance and a person who overall is just like everyone else. This person doesn’t have to be a god to be a hero but someone who has morals to do well for others. Odysseus is a hero because he has the qualities of cunning and endurance.
The qualities of cunning and endurance go hand in hand. Odysseus throughout the poem wants to go home but is constantly caught in situations that prevent him from completing his journey to his homecoming. Odysseus has been away from Ithaka for 20 years, but has endurance to make it home. On the journey to Ithaka, Odysseus in book IX runs into the Cyclopes when he states “I would not spare you or your companions either, if the fancy took me otherwise” (lines 277 to 279). The Cyclopes eats two of his men when Odysseus realizes that he and his companions are in great danger. The thought of completing the journey to Ithaka has endurance on Odysseus when he states in book IX lines 315 to317 “And so the Cyclopes, whistling loudly, guided his fat flocks to the hills, leaving me there in the cave mumbling my black thoughts of how I might punish him”. Odysseus gets revenge on the Cyclopes and punishes him by blinding him with a spear he had made. Odysseus clearly shows endurance to get home and save his companions in this episode of the poem.
Continuing on with endurance, in order to be able to complete the revenge on the Cyclopes Odysseus needed to be smart showing his quality of cunning. Before Odysseus is able to stab the Cyclopes in the eye he has to fool him. In book IX Odysseus states “Here , Cyclopes, have a drink of wine , now you have fed on human flesh, and see what kind of drink our ship carried inside her” (lines 347 to 349). Little did Cyclopes know that Odysseus’ plan is to get revenge on him. Odysseus fools the Cyclopes not once but twice. Odysseus needs a way to leave the cave he and his companions are trapped in. After stabbing the Cyclopes in the eye “ the Cyclopes, groaning aloud in the pain of his agony, felt with his hands, and took the boulder out of the doorway, and sat down in the entrance himself, spreading his arms wide, to catch anyone who tried to get out with the sheep” (lines 415 to 418). Odysseus states “there was one ram, far the finest of all the flock. This one I clasped around the back, snuggled under the wool of the belly, and stayed there still” (line 432 to 433). Odysseus is cunning enough to make the Cyclopes think Odysseus is in the cave when he has already been able to get out with his companions.
All and all, Odysseus is a hero in my eyes because of the qualities he possesses. He has the qualities of endurance and cunning. These two qualities are some of the basic qualities a hero needs. Odysseus isn’t a god but is a mortal who is able to do god-like things. He not only has endurance to be strong but has the cunningness to be able to fool those who are sent in his path to prevent him from making it home. Odysseus is a hero in many ways and clearly shows it in the epic poem The Odyssey.
Demi Mendez
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
May 18, 2011
Response Essay # 2 Revision
There are many prominent codes of behavior in the society depicted in the first half of The Odyssey. These codes are made by the gods and are to be followed by the mortals. Mortals are to obey the codes; if not there is punishment for their disobedience. The two most prominent codes of behavior are loyalty and hospitality.
One prominent code of behavior shown in the first half of The Odyssey is loyalty, for example, the King to his subjects, gods to mortals, and husbands to wives. The king is to protect his subjects and make wise decisions for his people. He is to think of what’s best for his kingdom and the people who live in it, while his subjects are to honor him, respect him, and be loyal to him and his rules. In book I lines 245 to 251, Telemachos tells Mentes, who is Athene in disguise, that the suitors are acting up in such a way that they are destroying the house and don’t have any respect for Odysseus (their king). Gods are to give advice, guidance, and help, while the mortals are to sacrifice animals, pour libations, build temples, pray, and obey the codes. In book I lines 271 to 305, the goddess Athene advices Telemachos to find out about his father and tells him what he needs to do to stop the madness in his house.
Fidelity is another code that can also go under loyalty. A husband is to protect, provide, and treat his wife well, while she is to be sexually faithful to her husband. In book II lines 87 to 110, Penelope tries to throw off the suitors so she won’t have to marry one of them. In the epic poem The Odyssey, Antinoos states to Telemachos “and yet you have no cause to blame the Achaian suitors, but it is your own dear mother, and she is greatly resourceful. And now it is the third year, and will be the fourth year presently, since she has been denying the desires of the Achaians”. Antinoos clearly states that Penelope has been faithful to her husband ever since the time of his departure.
Hospitality is another huge code that’s enforced by Zeus, the god of all gods. The host is to provide food/wine, shelter, protection, entertainment, a bath, and gifts, whereas the guest in return is to give honest information; explain purpose of the journey, where she or he is from; show gratitude, and give their name / their father’s name. In book I line 113 to lines 124, Telemachos invites Mentes (Athene) in and showing hospitality. In lines 179 to 205, Mentes (Athene) is provides all the information Telemachos asks for.
All and all, in the first half of The Odyssey there are many prominent codes of behavior in the society. The two most important ones that were represented in the first half of The Odyssey are loyalty and hospitality. People are to obey by these codes and if not are there is punishment. Obeying the codes of behavior is a way to show respect to the gods and for that reason they obey them.
Demi Mendez
Professor J. Gruesser
English 2403*
May 18, 2011
Response Essay # 1 Revision
There are many prominent codes of behavior in the society depicted in the first halfof The Odyssey. These codes are made by the Gods and are to be followed by the mortals. Every mortal is toobey the codes, if not they are to be punished and pay for their disobedience.The two most prominent codes of behavior would be loyalty and hospitality.
One prominent code of behavior shown in the first half of The Odyssey would be loyalty, for example, the King to hissubjects, Gods to mortals, and husbands to wives. The king is to protect his subjects and makewise decisions for his people. He is to think of what’s best for his kingdomand the people who live in it, while his subjects are to honor him, respecthim, and be loyal to him and his rules. In book I lines 245 to 251, Telemachostells Mentes, who is Athene in disguise, that the suitors are acting up in sucha way that they are destroying the house and don’t have any respect for Odysseus(their king). Gods are to give advice, guidance, and help, while the mortalsare to sacrifice animals, libations, build temples, pray, and obey the codes. In book I lines 271 to 305, the goddess Atheneadvices Telemachos to find out about his father and tell him what he needs todo to stop the madness in his house.
Fidelity is another code that can also gounder loyalty. A husband is to protect, provide, and treat his wife well, whileshe is to be sexually faithful to her husband. In book II lines 87 to 110, Penelope tried to throw off the suitors soshe wouldn’t have to marry one of them. She has been faithful to her husbandever since the time of his departure.
Hospitality is another huge code that’s enforced by Zeus, the god of all gods. The host isto provide food/wine, shelter, protection, entertainment, a bath, and gifts,whereas the guest in return is to give honest information, his purpose of journey,where she or he is from, gratitude, and give their name / their father’s name. In book I line 113 to lines 124, Telemachos isinviting Mentes (Athene) in and showing hospitality. In lines 179 to 205,Mentes (Athene) is providing all the information Telemachos asks for.
All andall, in the first half of The Odysseythere are many prominent codes of behavior in the society. The two mostimportant ones that were represented in the first half of The Odyssey are loyalty and hospitality. Everyone is to obey by these codes and if notthey are to be punished. It was a way to show respect to the gods and for that reason they obey them.
There are many prominent codes of behavior in the society depicted in the first half of The Odyssey. One would be loyalty. For example, the King to his subjects, Gods to mortals, and husbands to wives. The king to its subjects is to protect and make wise decisions for his people. He is to think of what’s better for his kingdom and the people, who live in it, while his subjects are to honor him, respect him, and be loyal to him and his rules. Shown in book 1from lines 245 to 251 Telemachos tells Mentes ( Athene) that the suitors are acting up in such a way that they are destroying the house and don’t have any respect for Odysseus(their king) . Gods are to give advice, guidance, and help, while the mortals are to sacrifice animals, pour wine on the floor, build temples, pray, and obey the codes. Shown in book 1 from lines 271 to 305 Goddess Athene guides Telemachos to finding out about his father and what he needs to do to stop the madness in his house. Fidelity is another code that can also go under loyalty. A husband to his wife is to protect, provide, and give good treatment to his wife, while she is to be sexually faithful to her husband. In book 2 from lines 87 to 110, Penelope was trying to throw off the suitors so she wouldn’t have to marry them. She was still being faithful to her husband.
Hospitality is another huge code that’s been enforced by Zeus, the God of all Gods. The host is to provide food/wine, shelter, protection, entertainment, baths, and gifts whereas the guest in return is to give honest information, his purpose of journey, where they are from, gratitude, and their name / their father’s name. Seen in book 1 from line 113 to lines 124 Telemachos is inviting Mentes (Athene) in and showing hospitality. In lines 179 to 205 Mentes (Athene) is providing all the information Telemachos ask for.