Themes+and+Values14

Values: Hospitality: One example of hospitality in chapter 14 is when Eumaios invites the incognito Odysseus into his home for wine and supper. He could have just sent Odysseus away, writing him off as just a poor traveler. We also see this value when Eumaios says he must send the suitors wine and meat, even though they are abusing their welcome. He must do this because, in that time, being a good host(ess) was the right thing to do. Finally, we see hospitality when Eumaios gives Odysseus shelter and blankets against the cold, even though Eumaios believes Odysseus to be lying about the sighting of himself.

Loyalty: 'Of all Odysseus' field hands in the old days, this forester cared most for the estate; and now Odysseus found him in a remote clearing, sitting inside the gate of a stockade he built to keep the swine while his lord was away.' (page 247.) This shows loyalty firstly, because it said that this swineherd 'cared most for the estate.' But it also shows loyalty because the swineherd [Eumaios] put effort into taking care of the pigs and of doing his job properly while Odysseus was away. Eumaios could have just slacked off, and Odysseus would not have been any wiser. He cared for the swine so diligently that it 'rejoiced Odysseus' heart.' (page 264)

'And I speak his name respectfully, even if he is not here. He loved me, cared for me, I call him dear my lord, far though he may be.' (page 252, line 145) This shows loyalty and respect on the part of Eumaios, towards his old master. However, it also shows that in the days when Odysseus was still residing in Ithica, he showed a loyalty and respect towards Eumaios, his servant and inferior.

Themes: Respect: 'Tush, friend, rudeness to a stranger is not decency.' This shows that Eumaios respected the ways and customs of ancient Greece, because every traveler was sent by Zeus, and therefore you must be hospitable to them.

With the appearance of respect, we also see disrespect. We see this disrespect when Eumaios mentions the suitors. He believes them to overstaying their welcome in Odysseus' household, and therefore being disrespectful to his family.

Hospitality: Hospitality is a big theme throughout the whole book, and Eumaios shows hospitality in Book 14. Eumaios invited Odysseus into his home even though he has no idea who he is, and even though he looks like a withered poor old man that has nowhere to go. Eumaios feeds him pork and even lets Odysseus sleep there and borrow a cloak to keep him warm.

Wisdom: 'Why must you lie, being the man that you are, all for nothing?' (page 258) Eumaios shows wisdom from this because so many travelers have made up stories in order to get shelter and a hot meal. Eumaios' trust had been abused too many times for him to believe Odysseus' tale about the sighting of himself. 'Odysseus began to talk, to test the swineherd, trying to test the swineherd, trying to put it in his head to take his cloak off.' This shows wisdom and intelligence on Odysseus' part because he is without a cloak and wants Eumaios to give him one for warmth. To do this, he tells a story where he was at Troy with Odysseus, and Odysseus devises a plan to get him a cloak. Eumaios also shows wisdom in this because he sees through Odysseus' story, knowing that all he wants is a cloak. Odysseus gets his way with a cloak, so that shows intelligence also.

Suspicion: Suspicion is a theme in this chapter because Eumaios is suspicious of the stories that travelers tell to him about Odysseus. He is suspicious of them because he has heard too many stories that were told just to get a place to stay and a hot meal.