The Significance of Eating and the Feast in Homer's 'Odyssey'

Essay from the year 2005 in the subject Classic Philology - Greek Studies - Literature, grade: A+, Columbia Universität New York, language: English, abstract: In literature, the act of eating often represents more than a quotidian routine essential to a person's survival; implicitly, it can underscore character traits and furthermore, give the reader an insight into prevalent cultural ideals and societal norms. Homer's Odyssey is not only replete with references to the civilized feast as a unifying celebration, but also introduces more deviant forms of eating, particularly when the guest-host relationship has been violated. Consequently, the feast may become an arena for conflict and in extreme cases, even a battleground for acts of cannibalism.