The Odyssey: Virtues and Vices In the epic, the Odyssey, many showings of virtues and vices were displayed. Some actions were common back in the mythological era but if done in modern times, they would be unacceptable. Two of the themes found in the Odyssey are the showing and not showing of hospitality and the practice of revenge. One of the themes commonly used is the abiding and the breaking of the law of hospitality set by the Greek gods. One example of not showing hospitality is where Antinous strikes "the man's (Odysseus') right shoulder blade – like solid rock..." with a stool. Because of Antin