The word hospitality is one's kindness or welcoming to a guest or a stranger. It is the main word that stuck out in The Odyssey. In The Odyssey it is shown in several ways at different times. Odysseus encounters many strangers during his journey back home. Some of the strangers Odysseus approaches that show him great hospitality are the Phaeacians and Circe. They welcome Odysseus into their homes for a place to stay and they fed and clothed him. They would also help him on his journey by giving him travel tips such as which places to stay away from and they even gave him a vessel to travel back home on. Other strangers Odysseus encounters are dangerous and do not treat him well. Several want to kill him because of his family's history or what he has done to that person in the past. Some strangers laugh at the thought of hospitality and at the gods who are for it. Sirens and Polyphemus are the two people who treat Odysseus the worst on his travels back home. A lack of hospitality really affect Odysseus' journey back home. Those willing to show hospitality want to demonstrate their quality as a being in hope that their people will be treated well on their travels. As Odysseus continues on his journey he realizes he cannot trust all those he comes in contact with. He understands the importance of hospitality and learns that treating people well will help in the future. .
Vengeance plays a huge part in The Odysseus. In Book IV Odysseus comes in contact with Cyclops in a cave in which he is trying to escape. Odysseus ends up stabbing Cyclops in the eye and blinds him. Cyclops being the son of the sea god Poseidon causes a major problem. Poseidon seeks revenge on Odysseus because of his action but was unable to kill him. Odysseus has the goddess Athena on his side. Vengeance can be very bad at times. Some people say vengeance is never the way to go about things and others say it is a way to feel better.