This paper examines how Homer's "Odyssey" is superimposed on the backdrop of a typical
ancient Greek society. It looks at how the main character, Odysseus, and his companions travel from
place to place on their way to their hometown of Ithaka. Many people host them in a show of
hospitality common to ancient Greece; a large part of this hospitality involves the preparation of feasts and giving each guest an ample amount of
food. It shows how, although food is positively associated with the Greek tradition of hospitality, Homer uses it negatively in the "Odyssey" to represent the
gluttony,
lack of self-control, and lack of civility of various characters.