Hospitality and Destiny in the Odyssey and Sundiata Essay Example for Free

Hospitality and Destiny in the Odyssey and Sundiata Essay Princetons Wordnet defines hospitality as [the act of] cordial reception: [or] kindness in welcoming guests or strangers. Since the start of this semester, we have read about two different journeys in which hospitality plays an important role in fulfilling the destiny of the main character. In Homers Odyssey, many examples of this are apparent, whether they are for the benefit or the downfall of the protagonist Odysseus. However, Odysseus is not the only one whom hospitality rules. His son Telemachus also is affected by his hospitality towards others. In Nianes Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, the theme of hospitality runs thick throughout the narrative, as Sundiata is greatly affected by how the other characters receive him. If it were not for the hospitable acts shown to both of the weary travelers, Odysseus and Sundiata may not have been able to return to their homeland. The extreme observance of hospitality in the two texts may be compared with the golden rule: treat others, as you would like to be treated. The rule of hospitality may also be applied to the gods. In the time of Odysseus, gods or deities could take the form of humans or alter human appearance. If a stranger showed up at your door, you might not know whether they are mortal or immortal. If you turned away a god or someone loved by the gods, this could anger them and in turn they could avenge your inhospitable act. The gods might respond with not giving you a good harvest or make your life a complete hell, as Poseidon did to the journey of Odysseus. Good hospitality was to be displayed towards everyone, no matter age or gender. In The Odyssey, not only was Odysseus treated well by the lords of the lands he visited, but, his young son, Telemachus, was treated with respect. In Sundiata, hospitality was not only showed towards men, but also women. When Sassouma forced Sogolon into exile, the neighboring lands and kings she and her children encountered treated them with generosity. In The Odyssey many hospitable acts were displayed before kings even knew who had ventured to their land. When Telemachus travels to Pylos seeking information about his father, King Nestor treated him and Pallas Athena with much respect. As they approached the citadel King Nestor and his son spotted them. As soon as they saw the strangers, all came crowding down, urging  them to sit. Nestors son Pisistratus, first to reach them, grasped their hands and sat them down at the feast on fleecy throws (Homer 108, lines 39-44). This demonstrates how welcoming the Pylians are towards strangers. This is truly a hospitable greeting because the Pylians were not just carousing around, but in fact were involved in a feast in honor of the god Poseidon. They invited these foreign guests in as if they were members of the royal family to take part in the feast. Menelaus, like Nestor, treated his guest as part of the royal family before knowing their names. Menelaus provided Telemachus and Pisistratus with food but not just any food but, He passed them a fat rich loin with his own hands, the choicest part, that hed been served himself (Homer 126, 74-75). The Greeks loved to eat and what an honor it would have been to be given the kings slab of meat. He also had women bathe them, rub them with oil, and provide them with warm fleece and shirts to wear. Before Telemachus was to leave, Menelaus insisted on giving him many gifts but Odysseus young son respectfully declined any such gifts. Menelaus insisted on giving him a mixing bowl forged to perfection made of solid silver with a lip of gold made by Hephaestus himself (Homer 144, 692-694). The hospitality shown by Menelaus is a great example of treating others as you would like to be treated. Menelaus, the great and lustrous king, showered his guest with the best of everything, as he would have wanted done for him. Not only in The Odyssey and ancient Greece was hospitality shown towards strangers, but it also occurred in Sundiata. The first stop on the exile journey of Sundiata was Djedeba. The king there received them with a little mistrust, but mentioned that everywhere the stranger enjoys the right to hospitality (Niane 29). The stay with the king of Djedeba lasted two months and not much is mentioned in the novel of what was given to Sundiata and his family. But the stay with Djedeba emphasizes the point that even though someone may be wary of allowing strangers to stay with them, the act of hospitality is entitled to all strangers who need a place to stay. Those who were members of the highest social class were not the only ones expected to practice hospitality. Hospitable acts were to be practiced by  and towards all social classes. When Odysseus returned to Ithaca, Athena disguised him by dressing him in beggar clothes. She directed him towards the swineherds establishment. The swineherd had to save the king from his beastly dogs and after this invited him into his home. The swineherd, Eumeaus, told Odysseus, Its wrong, my friend, to send any stranger packing-even one who arrives in worse shape than you (Homer 303, 64-65). Odysseus told him, May Zeus and the other gods give you your hearts desire for the royal welcome you have shown me here (Homer 303, 60-62). The hospitality that was shown towards the beloved king no doubt pleased the gods. Even though the swineherd could not provide the extravagant baths, bedding, and food of kings, he still gave Odysseus the best of what he had. Odysseus was invited by the swineherd to sit down on a pile of brush and twigs covered with the skin of a shaggy wild goat, which was the swineherds own good bedding. He fed the king scrawny pigs that were freshly slaughtered. This was the best food that could be offered by the swineherd because the suitors who overran the home of Odysseus took the fattened pigs. The hospitality shown by the swineherd proves that one does not have to offer the best of things to show hospitality towards strangers. Hospitable acts were not expected only to be shown towards the living, but the deceased deserved the same rights. In Sundiata, when it came time to leave Mema and return to Mali, Sogolon passed away. Sundiata said to the king, King, you gave me hospitality at your court when I was without shelter†¦In any case, allow me to bury my mother before I go (Niane 46). The king was outraged that Sundiata wanted to leave his country and at first refused. But either it was fear, or out of respect he had for Sundiata, or a combination of both, Sundiata got his wish. Burial grounds were provided for Sogolon in the country of Mema. Showing hospitality towards the dead is as important towards showing it towards the living. Hospitality was not to go unnoticed either; hospitable acts were expected to be repaid when the time arose. A great example of repaying hospitality came from Menelaus. Telemachus and Nestors son arrived outside the gates of  Menelaus estate and lord Eteoneus runs through the halls and delivers the news to the battle-hardened king and ask, Should we unhitch their team for them or send them to someone free to host them well(Homer 125, 33-34)? Menelaus responds hastily, Just think of the hospitality we enjoyed at the hands of other men before we made it home†¦And bring them in strangers, guest, to share our flowing feast(Homer 125, 38-39, 41-42). Menelaus wants to show the same hospitality to those who visit his land just as the rulers showed him when he was in need. Political alliances also proved to be good situations to practice hospitality. One of the stops on the exile journey of Sundiata and his family was the region of Ghana. When they arrived they were greeted by the kings brother who made them comfortable and brought water for them to quench their thirst. After Sogolon explained where they were from and why they were in exile the king, Soumamba, responded, No one has ever found our hospitality wanting. My court is your court and my palace is yours (Niane 34). The reason for easy welcoming of the strangers was the history of the relationship between Mali and Ghana. The king also said to his brother, Brother, look after our guests. Let Sogolon and her children be royally treated and from tomorrow let the princes of Mali sit among our children (Niane 34). Another hospitable act in Sundiata, which involved alliances between nations, happened again in Mema. This alliance had to do with the family relationship of two kings. Upon their arrival at Mema, the sister of the king greeted Sogolon and her family and housed them in a wing of the palace. They were recommended by Soumaba to come to Mema, and after showing the king of Mema, Moussa Tounkara, a letter from Soumamba the king said, My cousin Soumaba recommends you and that is enough. You are at home. Stay here as long as you wish (Niane 36). Sundiata became so beloved by the people and the king that he became viceroy and even secured a spot as heir to the throne of Mema. This is example of hospitality starts out as a friendly gesture, and evolves into a new set of hierarchal position for the traveling family. The hospitality shown by the people of Mema allowed the exiled royal family of Mali to become pretty much citizens of this new country. The act of hospitality is prevalent in both the Odyssey and Sundiata. Not  only do kings of regions and countries practice this act, but hospitality is expected to be practiced by everyone regardless of their social class. Hospitality should be shown towards everyone regardless how the two parties affiliate with one another. Hospitality goes along way in the stories of Odysseus and Sundiata. It creates relationships with lands that others fear, like the region of Ghana in Sundiata. It also creates relationships with those who have no prior relationships to those of foreign lands, like Telemachus creates with the comrades of his father. If only this type of hospitality was prevalent in society today our world would be a much more friendly and fearless place to live. Fagles, Robert. The Odyssey. New York: Penguin, 1996. Niane, D. T. Sundiata: an Epic of Old Mali. Harlow: Longman, 2006.

Designing A House :: essays research papers

This report is being written as if you were to fully design my senior project. These are all the steps and procedures you would need to take to properly design it. First thing you would need to do would be identifying specific landmarks of surrounding land or lot. You would note down anything and roughly measure marks approximate to house location, this way you would have a general idea of where the house would be. If there are no big landmarks, such as nearby houses or roads - you should note small markings such as trees or pathways, anything to help you identify the location of the house. Also, you should note climate, that can be a factor. After you’ve surveyed the entire scene you should write down all ideas having to do with what the house will need to be habitable and reference surrounding buildings for notes. For example if a building near the house lot has a high angled roof, that could be because of heavy snow or rainfall. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or extensivly look up ideas. Next will come your rough draft, this is basically self explanatory. You will create preliminary sketches of floor plan with rough dimensions, and sketch a view of the house dimensioned from landmarks. The information on your rough sketch does not have to be exact, but it must be more informative then the notes you had taken earlier. After getting specifics from the consumer, you will begin to construct your floor plan. Day, 2 While it is your (our) job to create convinience and simplicity in the house design, you must consider the consumers ideas and needs. When you do this plan you must label all doors with Door tags, these will be used later. When putting dimensions in your floor plan make sure they are specific and detailed. Try not to over dimension, but do not underdimension, carefully check every dimension, to see if it was duplicated or noted beforehand. Now will come the basement plan, dimension everything accordingly and show all needed floor supports. The needs for this house are different because of it's large design, lolly columns are neccisary. Label everything. When your done with the basement and floor plans you should construct a electrical plan and plumbing plan, the electrical plan is necessary in this project, but the plumbing is not. "Now day's you count on a licenced plumer to come in, they are the experts and they'll know whats

Human Resource Development Essay

Involve them, trust them and treat them as resource or assets. 3- Fours on strengths of people and help them overcome their weakness. 4- Integrate individual’s needs & aspiration to organization Objectives of HRD:- 1- Develop high motivation level – To strengthen superior-subordinate relationship 3- To develop a sense of team spirit, team work & inter team collaboration. 4- To develop the original health, culture & climate. 5- To generate systematic info about HR 6- To increase the capabilities of an organization to recruit, select, retain and motivate talented employees. 7- To develop constructive mind in employees. 8- To generate info about HR for manpower planning, placement, successive planning and like. Author – Meera Sharma SCOPE: The field of HRD or Human Resource Development encompasses several aspects of enabling and empowering human resources in organization. Whereas earlier HRD was denoted as managing people in organizations with emphasis on payroll, training and other functions that were designed to keep employees happy, the current line of management thought focuses on empowering and enabling them to become employees capable of fulfilling their aspirations and actualizing their potential. This shift in the way human resources are treated has come about due to the prevailing notion that human resources are sources of competitive advantage and not merely employees fulfilling their job responsibilities. The point here is that the current paradigm in HRD treats employees as value creators and assets based on the RBV or the Resource Based View of the firm that has emerged in the SHRM (Strategic Human Resource Management) field. The field of HRD spans several functions across the organization starting with employee recruitment and training, appraisals and payroll and extending to the recreational and motivational aspects of employee development. The main functions of HRD are:- 1. Training and development Training and development is aimed at improving or changing the knowledge skills and attitudes of the employees. While training involves providing the knowledge and skills required for doing a particular job to the employees, developmental activities focus on preparing the employees for future job responsibilities by increasing the capabilities of an employee which also helps him perform his present job in a better way. These activities start when an employee joins an organization in the form of orientation and skills training. After the employee becomes proficient, the HR activities focus on the development of the employee through methods like coaching and counseling. 2 Organization development OD is the process of increasing the effectiveness of an organization along with the well being of its members with the help of planned interventions that use the concepts of behavioral science. Both micro and macro changes are implemented to achieve organization development. While the macro changes are intended to improve the overall effectiveness of the organization the micro changes are aimed at individuals of small groups. Employee involvement programmes requiring fundamental changes in work expectation, reporting, procedures and reward systems are aimed at improving the effectiveness of the organization. The human resource development professional involved in the organization development intervention acts as an agent of change. He often consults and advising the line manager in strategies that can be adopted to implement the required changes and sometimes becomes directly involve in implementing these strategies. 3. Career development It is a continuous process in which an individual progresses through different stages of career each having a relatively unique set of issues and tasks. Career development comprises of two distinct processes. Career Planning and career management. Whereas career planning involves activities to be performed by the employee, often with the help of counselor and others, to assess his capabilities and skills in order to frame realistic career plan. Career management involves the necessary steps that need to be taken to achieve that plan. Career management generally focus more on the steps that an organization that can take to foster the career development of the employees.

Critical Reflection Critical Self Reflection - 1614 Words

This reflective log is a critical self-reflection of the insight gained while developing and practicing my leadership skills in the workshops. In order to start the self-reflection it is important to define the framework to be used. According to Danielewicz (2001, cited by Gay and Kirkland 2003, p.182) critical self-reflection or reflexivity is â€Å"an act of self-conscious consideration which can lead people to a deeper understanding of themselves and others†¦and foster a profound awareness of how social contexts influence who people are and how they behave.† In this log, I will reflect critically on my experiences in the workshop in order to gain a deeper understanding of the behaviours encountered. Additionally, I will use these insights to revise and make changes in future activities. From the interpersonal skills workshop, the skill that I have chosen to analyse is leadership. There are many definitions of leadership and different points of view in to which this top ic can be approached, but for the purposes of this critical self-reflection, leadership is a process where a person can influence the activities performed by a group of people with the purpose of achieving and setting goals (Parry and Bryman, 2006). There are many theories that surround the topic of leadership and where leaders come from. My analysis will be based on trait theory partnered with the big five-factor model. According to Howell (2013, p.4) â€Å"leadership traits are characteristics of an individual thatShow MoreRelatedSelf Assessment And Critical Reflection1320 Words   |  6 PagesI’ve learned many things through my work experience that will not only provide me with valuable, transferrable, resume skills, but also skills such as character growth due to the challenges I’ve faced in my work positions. Through self-assessment and critical reflection, I can truly appreciate some of the undervalued tools I’ve acquired through my work experience. Iâ⠂¬â„¢ve learned that character consists of learned behavior, and you can build it throughout your life. The wonderful thing about characterRead MoreCritical Assessment Of An Self Reflection910 Words   |  4 Pagesinteresting, and helpful in regards to critical self-reflection. Several summers, I have spent in the North woods of Wisconsin working at a summer camp. We have campers from ages 6 to 15 years old. Because of the pretty serious difference in ages of kids, the staff puts on an â€Å"ages and stages† class where we learn about many of the things that this course covered. Much like those classes, this course has been illuminating. The things I have learned will be critical in understanding the physical, mentalRead MoreCritical Reflection On Self And, And Challenging External Power Structures804 Words   |  4 PagesSelf-directedness or self-affirmation, and challenging external power structures begins with challenging our own assumptions and developing moral courage to bring to supervision and peers. We can begin identifying assumptions that oppose our interests that potentially harm service users (Bloom, 2006). Through critical reflection we have a better understanding of power relationships, which makes us mindful of not perpetuating people’s experiences of oppression in our working relationships with themRead MoreCritical Thinking And Self Reflection, Tyson Foods Inc.1000 Words   |  4 PagesThrough critical thinking and self-reflection, Tyson Foods Inc. will be able to uncover the truth claims, weigh the evidence, examine the underlying assumptions or opportunities, and eventually make appropriate decisions to reconstruct their current strategy (Kurucz, Colbert Wheeler, 2013). Critical reflection involves corporations evaluating the relationship between business, society, and the environment that is currently framed in the existing business model as well as introduce opportunitiesRead MoreCritical Thinking Self Reflection. The Human Thought Process1292 Words   |  6 PagesCritical Thinking Self Reflection The human thought process is one that most people repeat dozens if not hundreds of times an hour. Many people don’t contemplate how this process works, they just process one thought after another to make decisions, solve problems, or process a fond memory. Examining and strengthening the thought process improves decision making abilities which enables a person to make better, more informed choices. This essay will analyze where I personally am in my development asRead MoreEssay on Critical Thinking/Reflection1393 Words   |  6 PagesAssessing both critical thinking and the reflection process in learning, these aspects are both intertwined. Without one, you cannot have the other. With the use of critical thinking and reflection this thought process allows us to analyse, assess, evaluate, learn and develop arguments. However this can have a twofold affect in the learning process. The learning process means taking many aspects and perspectives into account to establish an argum ent. Critical thinking draws on questions such as:Read MoreCritical Reflection Is Essential For Developing An Adaptive Pedagogy1112 Words   |  5 PagesCritical reflection is essential for developing an adaptive pedagogy in that critical reflection encourages the sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences. Furthermore, critical reflective practice is a form of ongoing learning that involves engaging with questions of philosophy, ethics and practice. Additionally, documenting the daily events in the ECE sector is an important aspect of being a professional and are a compulsory requirement for meeting the NCAC (2005) guidelines for high qualityRead MoreWe Start By Defining Executive Coaching Essay1388 Words   |  6 Pagesof coaching in an organizational setting. They screened 107 articles and found 18 studies for inclusion which established coaching to have significant positive effects on performance and skills, well-being, coping, work attitudes, and goal-directed self-regulati on. There was no consensus between articles on which coaching outcomes were desired, and the outcome of transformation was not studied. In addition, conducting coaching effectiveness studies in organizations can be very challenging due toRead MoreReflective Reflection Essay999 Words   |  4 Pagesfor creating successful outcomes. This essay will focus on how reflective practice is critical for professional life, and how the use of reflection and theory can be used by counselling practitioners to inform their practice. Reflective practice is a complex concept and has many alternate definitions and understandings of what reflective practice actually means. By breaking down the two parts and defining reflection as â€Å"serious thought or consideration†, and practice as â€Å"the actual application or useRead MoreSocial Cognitive Theory Main Concepts Essay1471 Words   |  6 Pagesother hands, andragogy is a theory developed by Malcolm Shepherd Knowles in 1980’s. Andragogy focuses on the science of adult learning and self-directive learning. The main highlights of this approach are self-concept, learner experience, readiness, orientation, and motivation. In self-concepts, as a human matures they move from being dependent towards self- directed (Merriam, 2014 p. 47). The second concept of Knowles design is the learner’s experience, as a person mature they accumulates a growing