In today's unstable world, groups of people constantly transcend borders. Individuals cross physical borders every day, whether traveling temporarily for work or leisure or moving permanently to escape socioeconomic and political problems at home. Individuals are also able to transcend social class boundaries through economic and political advancement. Transcending boundaries, both literally and figuratively, is a common aspect of life. Yet many of these crossings are considered problematic and are surrounded by a constant conflict between political agendas and moral responsibilities. However, these problems are not only characteristic of modern migration. Through the analysis of ancient literature, it can be seen that border crossing and its effects have been recurring themes throughout the development of societies. For example, Homer's Odyssey expresses the problems of crossing physical boundaries, as cultures clash and views on hospitality are not uniformly shared. Furthermore, the story of Sinbad from Arabian Nights shows how it was possible to transcend the boundaries of social class despite stratified hierarchies. Finally, Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales shows how internationalism allows for tolerance and self-criticism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Complications can arise from crossing physical boundaries when there are different cultural viewpoints between two groups. In Homer's Odyssey the Greek concept of hospitality, “xenia,” is exemplified in both negative and positive situations. A particularly controversial moment was the interaction between Odysseus and his crew and the Cyclops Polyphemus. When Odysseus and his crew entered Polyphemus' cave, they expected to receive good hospitality, as not being hospitable in Greek society was despised in the eyes of the gods. However, the Greeks were misunderstood because, due to their narrow view of the world, they did not realize that their cultural views would not be shared with those outside of their society. Although the Greeks expressed good xenia because they feared angering the gods, they did not recognize that not everyone shared the same fear of the gods, as indicated by Polyphemus when he said, “My people/ think nothing of that Zeus with his great scepter / I follow the orders / of my heart”. And so, Polyphemus ate some of the crew and trapped them until Odysseus successfully escaped. When discussing who is to blame for this situation, many will say that it is the fault of the Greeks, as they did not respect the differences in cultural perspectives. I agree with this belief to some extent, only because Odysseus and his crew were portrayed as proud, arrogant men who felt entitled to hospitality. However, in the real world, I believe there must be mutual respect between the migrant and the host. Yes, it was wrong of Odysseus to assume that the Cyclopes would show hospitality, but if this situation were transcribed into a modern-day migration from one country to another, I hope the hosts would show more compassion and generosity towards those who are crossing the confine. For example, today the migration of South American immigrants to the United States is a topic of contention among politicians. Many believe that because these immigrants are moving illegally, they should not be allowed to stay and must endure the hardship of being separated from their families and living in crowded detention centers. This vision issimilar to that of those who believe that Ulysses was wrong when he entered Polyphemus' cave. However, I believe that illegal immigrants should be shown a certain level of hospitality, because human empathy trumps all cultural and foreign policy views. In most cases, immigrants do not risk this dangerous journey unless it is their only option, as leaving behind the society, culture and people they know is certainly no easy task. To empathize with them, one must understand that migration is often a survival instinct. Although American culture differs from Latin American culture, just as Greek culture differed from that of the Cyclopes, good xenia should still be expressed to those who cross the border, as they most likely do so because they have no other choice. Crossing physical boundaries can also change one's position in society. For example, in 1001 One Thousand and One Nights, Sinbad the Mariner's expeditions as a merchant allowed him to acquire a great deal of wealth, which, in turn, advanced his social status. During the period of Islamic caliphates, societies possessed stratified social hierarchies, which meant it was difficult to move between classes. Sinbad, however, was able to do so and represented a new, more contemporary member of the upper class, as although he had risen in status, he still maintained personal relationships with members of the lower class. This was exemplified by his interactions with the poorer Sinbad, an unusual action for a member of the upper class. However, it was a necessary inclusion in the story because it expressed the idea that one's success is ultimately the result of one's hard work (Irwin and Lyons). This same idea can be applied to modern societies today. In the United States, the economic class system is not as rigid as that of previous civilizations, in theory. Economic policy is rooted in the idea that everyone has the ability to increase wealth and power if they work hard enough. This principle that work ethic is the only determining factor in their success is the same idea present in the story of Sinbad. However, I believe that, in practice, easy mobility between classes is not realistic. Many people work hard throughout their lives, but fail to rise above the lines of poverty due to disadvantages ingrained in the structure of our society. Take education for example. In general, children who attend private schools tend to have better higher education opportunities and later have more successful careers that allow them to gain wealth. However, private schools are expensive and therefore children from poor families are typically not able to gain this advantage. There are also discrepancies in the quality of public schools compared to the average income of the areas in which they are located. Low-income areas tend to have less funding, which in turn leads to a lower quality of education, thus placing students at an initial disadvantage that later prevents them from achieving future success. Education is just one of the many disadvantages that prevent people from crossing the lines of their social classes no matter how hard they work, and so I disagree with the moral of the Sinbad story, that one can cross the lines of class only through their own efforts. Finally, crossing physical boundaries allows for cultural diffusion, which in turn leads to advancements in society. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer showcases the benefits of traveling and broadening your worldview. Chaucer.