Many different aspects of the novel captivated my attention. One of these characteristics of the novel was how kindly people reacted to the appearance of a stranger on their door step, everybody from kings to servants abided by this idea. I found this very interesting because it made me think of how I would react now if a homeless person showed up on my doorstep asking for food and shelter.
             One example of this is after Odysseus barely escaped from Calypso's Island on a raft which Poseidon destroyed, he ends up in the country of the Phaiacians, bare naked. When he wakes up he finds many beautiful women playing while washing their clothes. When they see him many run away, but one stays and says this, "Stranger you do not seem like a bad man or a foolish man; but happiness is something which Olympian Zeus above allots to men, whether good or bad, to each according to his will. Your fortune is what he has given you, and you must endure it in any case. But now that you have come to out country, you shall not lack for clothes, or anything else which it is proper that you forlorn wanderer may have for the asking." (77) This is the first place in which I noticed the oddity that people offer strangers almost whatever they want. This goes on with Odysseus receiving clothes and much food. There are many other examples of this in the text that offer similar scenarios.
             Another instance of this is also in the land of the Phaiacians, this takes place after Odysseus is feed and there are games in his honor, even though they still don't know who he is. Prince Alcinoos says this to the crowd, "Lend me your ears, my lords and princes of the nation! I have something which I wish to lay before you. The stranger beside me, has come in his travels to my house, whether from the east of from the west. He asks us to help him on his way, and begs for a sure promise...That is a matter of course, for no one who comes to m
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