Hospitality and Its Violation

Where it surfaces

• Roman Divinities

  The Saturnalia feast, where masters served slaves, illustrates a temporary inversion of social roles and the ideal of natural equality, echoing themes of hospitality and social order.

• Latona and the Rustics

  The rustics refuse Latona water, violating the sacred duty of hospitality, leading to their transformation into frogs.

• Midas—Baucis and Philemon

  The inhospitable villagers refuse shelter to Jupiter and Mercury, leading to their destruction, while Baucis and Philemon's generous welcome earns them divine favor.

• Baucis and Philemon

  The chapter contrasts the inhospitable villagers who refuse shelter with Baucis and Philemon, who welcome the disguised gods, leading to divine reward for the couple and punishment for the village.

• Perseus and Atlas

  Atlas violates the sacred duty of hospitality by refusing Perseus shelter and food, leading to his petrification.

• The Wedding Feast

  Phineus's attack on the wedding feast violates the sacred bond of hospitality, leading to divine punishment.

• Pegasus and the Chimaera

  King Iobates struggles with the request to kill Bellerophon, as it violates the sacred duty of hospitality, yet he devises a perilous task instead.

• The Centaurs

  The Centaur Eurytion violates the hospitality of Pirithous's wedding feast by assaulting the bride, leading to a violent conflict.

• The Rural Deities—Erisichthon—Rhoecus—The Water Deities—Camenae—Winds

  Erisichthon's violation of the sacred grove and his subsequent selling of his daughter reflect a breach of proper conduct toward gods and family.

• Rhoecus

  The nymph offers Rhoecus a reward and her love, but he violates the trust by ignoring her messenger, leading to retribution.

• XXIII: Achelous and Hercules—Admetus and Alcestis—Antigone—Penelope

  Achelous entertains Theseus and his companions at his hospitable board, while the story of Erisichthon (told earlier) involves violation of hospitality.

• Arion—Ibycus—Simonides—Sappho

  The violation of hospitality is central: Arion is betrayed by sailors who should have protected him, and Ibycus is murdered while seeking hospitality, but divine retribution restores order.

• Arion

  The sailors, who should have been trustworthy hosts on the voyage, betray Arion by plotting murder for his treasure, violating the sacred bond of hospitality.

• Ibycus

  Ibycus, a stranger seeking hospitality, is murdered by robbers, violating the sacred duty of protecting guests.

• Simonides

  Scopas violates the expected hospitality and respect due to a poet by mocking and underpaying Simonides, leading to his downfall.

• Menelaus and Helen

  Menelaus and Helen are kindly treated in Egypt, receiving rich gifts, contrasting with earlier violations of hospitality during the war.

• Adventures of Ulysses—The Lotus-Eaters—Cyclopes—Circe—Sirens—Scylla and Charybdis—Calypso

  The Cyclops Polyphemus violates the sacred code of hospitality by devouring Ulysses' men, while Calypso and Circe initially offer hospitality but with ulterior motives.

• Return of Ulysses

  The Cyclops Polyphemus violates the sacred code of hospitality by devouring his guests, while Aeolus exemplifies proper hospitality.

• The Laestrygonians

  The Laestrygonians violate hospitality by attacking the ships, while Circe initially offers false hospitality before Ulysses forces genuine hospitality.

• Calypso

  Calypso initially offers hospitality to Ulysses but then seeks to detain him against his will, violating the proper bounds of guest-friendship.

• The Phaeacians—Fate of the Suitors

  The Phaeacians exemplify proper hospitality by welcoming Ulysses, while the suitors violate it by usurping his home and courting Penelope.

• The Phaeacians

  The Phaeacians exemplify proper hospitality by welcoming, feeding, and gifting Ulysses, while Neptune's punishment of them highlights the violation of divine will.

• Fate of the Suitors

  The suitors violate the sacred code of hospitality by consuming Ulysses' wealth and disrespecting his household, leading to their punishment.

• Adventures of Aeneas—The Harpies—Dido—Palinurus

  The murder of Polydore by the Thracian king violates the sacred bond of hospitality, causing Aeneas to flee the cursed land.

• Adventures of Aeneas

  The murder of Polydore by the Thracian king violates the sacred bond of hospitality; later, Helenus and Andromache offer generous hospitality to the Trojans.

• Dido

  Dido extends generous hospitality to Aeneas and his Trojans, but the relationship ends in betrayal and tragedy when Aeneas abandons her.

• XXXII: The Infernal Regions—The Sibyl

  In Tartarus, those who defrauded friends, failed in fidelity to employers, or violated the marriage vow are punished, reflecting the violation of trust and hospitality.

• Camilla—Evander—Nisus and Euryalus—Mezentius—Turnus

  Latinus welcomes the Trojans, but the violation of hospitality through the stag incident and Juno's discord leads to war.

• Opening the Gates of Janus

  Mezentius, though a cruel ally, was driven out by his own people, reflecting the breakdown of social and hospitable bonds.

• Evander

  Evander and his people welcome Aeneas and his Trojans, offering seats at their sacred feast, exemplifying proper hospitality.

• Infant Rome

  Evander's generous welcome of Aeneas exemplifies proper hospitality, while Mezentius' cruelty and the Etruscans' demand for his punishment highlight the violation of social bonds.

• How Thor Paid the Mountain Giant His Wages

  The gods violate the sacred bond of their oath by reneging on the promised reward and ultimately killing the giant.

• Iona

  The legend of St. Senanus repelling a woman from the sacred island illustrates a violation of hospitality, as the saint refused shelter to a female seeker.

• The Mythical History of England

  King Leir's trust in his elder daughters' flattery is betrayed when they strip him of his retinue, violating the sacred duty of hospitality and filial care.

• Leir

  Leir's daughters violate the duty of hospitality by reducing his retinue and refusing him comfort, leading to his exile.

• Elidure

  Elidure's compassionate embrace and concealment of his brother contrasts with the nobles' earlier violation of hospitality in deposing Arthgallo.

• III: Merlin

  Viviane's betrayal of Merlin's trust and her deceptive enchantment violate the bonds of love and hospitality.

• Arthur (Continued)

  The giant's murder of the Duchess and violation of the hermit's hospitality contrast with Arthur's restoration of order.

• King Arthur Slays the Giant of St. Michael’s Mount

  The giant's abduction and murder of the Duchess and children represents a gross violation of the sacred duty of hospitality.

• VI: Sir Gawain

  The grim baron violates the code of hospitality by imprisoning King Arthur and demanding a ransom, contrasting with Gawain's courteous acceptance of the loathly lady.

• Sir Gawain's Marriage

  The grim baron violates the code of hospitality by capturing Arthur and imposing a ransom, while the loathly lady's eventual integration into court restores proper social order.

• VII: Caradoc Briefbras; or, Caradoc with the Shrunken Arm

  The ballad's mantle test reveals violations of marital fidelity within Arthur's court, challenging the ideal of hospitality and trust.

• Sir Launcelot

  The betrayal by the lady and Sir Phelot, who lure Launcelot into a trap under the guise of help, violates the code of hospitality.

• The Adventure of the Cart

  Maleagans violates the hospitality of the Round Table by ambushing the queen; Launcelot experiences both poor and enchanted hospitality at various castles.

• XI: Queen Guenever's Peril

  The poisoning at a public feast violates the sacred bond of hospitality, causing chaos and accusation.

• XIV: Sir Tristram’s Battle with Sir Launcelot

  The violation of fair combat by nine knights attacking one is condemned, while Arthur's court offers true hospitality to Tristram.

• XVI: Sir Palamedes

  The initial hostility between Tristram and Palamedes contrasts with the later reconciliation and hospitality at King Arthur's court.

• Perceval

  The knight's insult to Queen Guenever and the rude treatment of Perceval by Sir Kay contrast with Gawain's courteous welcome, highlighting the importance of hospitality.

• Sir Agrivain's Treason

  The betrayal of trust within King Arthur's court, as Sir Agrivain and Sir Modred plot against Sir Launcelot and the queen, violates the bonds of hospitality and loyalty.

• The Lady of the Fountain

  Kynon receives lavish hospitality at the castle, but his actions at the fountain provoke a hostile response from the black knight, violating the peace.

• Kynon's Adventure

  Kynon receives generous hospitality at the castle, but his challenge at the fountain provokes a hostile response from the black knight, contrasting proper conduct.

• The Lady of the Fountain (Continued)

  The yellow man's generous hospitality at the castle contrasts with the imprisonment of Luned and the betrayal by the pages.

• Gawain's Adventure

  The hospitality shown by the yellow man and the Countess of the Fountain contrasts with the violent encounters at the fountain, highlighting the theme of hospitality.

• The Adventure of the Lion

  Owain violates the hospitality of the Countess by abandoning her, but later receives hospitality from the charitable lady and repays her with service.

• Geraint, the Son of Erbin

  The dwarf's rude treatment of Guenever's maiden violates the code of hospitality, while the hoary-headed man offers Geraint generous shelter despite his poverty.

• VI: Geraint, the Son of Erbin (Continued)

  The initial insult by the dwarf violates hospitality, which Geraint corrects, and the court's generous reception of Edeyrn restores proper conduct.

• Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr

  Evnissyen's mutilation of Matholch's horses violates the sacred bond of hospitality during the wedding feast, leading to conflict and war.

• Manawyddan

  The enchantment that desolates Dyved and traps Pryderi and Rhiannon violates the expected hospitality and safety of the land, while Manawyddan's eventual negotiation restores order.

• XII: Kilwich and Olwen (Continued)

  Gwernach the Giant's castle violates the laws of hospitality by killing all guests; Kay and Bedwyr subvert this by entering under false pretenses.

• Taliesin

  Rhun's deceitful visit to Elphin's home and his drugging of the supposed mistress violate the norms of hospitality.

• Hereward the Wake

  King Alef violates the sacred bond of betrothal, and Haco's wedding feast is disrupted by Hereward's disguised entry, highlighting the breach of hospitality.

• Robin Hood

  The chapter contrasts Robin's generous sharing of his prize with Hubert against Prince John's hostile and unjust treatment of the contestants.

• Orlando

  Orlando's seizure of food from Charlemagne's table violates hospitality, but leads to his recognition and redemption.

• Roland and Ferragus

  The truce and Orlando's act of providing a pillow highlight the code of hospitality, which is respected even in war.

• A Roland for an Oliver

  The initial quarrel between Guerin and Charlemagne represents a breakdown of feudal loyalty, later restored.

• The Tournament

  Angelica and Argalia are welcomed as guests at Charlemagne's court, but their true intent is to deceive and capture the Christian knights, violating the trust of hospitality.

• The Siege of Albracca

  The Cup of Oblivion at the bridge violates the expected hospitality of travelers, trapping knights in a magical prison.

• Astolpho and the Enchantress

  Alcina's false hospitality traps and transforms her lovers, contrasting with Logestilla's genuine welcome and virtuous court.

• Astolpho's Adventures Continued, and Isabella's Begun

  Oderic's betrayal of Isabella and the pirates' imprisonment violate the sacred duty of hospitality.

• Rogero and Bradamante

  Rogero is betrayed and captured while sleeping in a cottage, violating the expected hospitality.

• Rinaldo and Bayard

  Charlemagne's betrayal of trust and the persecution of Rinaldo and his brothers violate the bonds of feudal hospitality.

• Death of Rinaldo

  The workmen's betrayal and murder of Rinaldo, who had served faithfully, violate the bonds of community and hospitality.

• Huon of Bordeaux (Continued)

  The Governor's betrayal and attack during a meal violate the sacred bond of hospitality.

• Huon of Bordeaux (Continued)

  Huon is welcomed by the old woman but later violates the Sultan's hospitality by killing the prince at the feast.

• Ogier, the Dane (Continued)

  Charlot kills Baldwin in the palace, violating the trust and safety of the court.