ipl-logo

Lack Of Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey

215 Words1 Pages
The epic The Odyssey by Homer is an important piece that helps us understand the past Greeks views and beliefs. The epic follow a man named Odysseus on his twenty year journey back to his home Ithaca after the Trojan war. Odysseus along with other characters often have a lack of Xenia, a practice that the Greeks valued highly. This lack of Xenia often leads to their downfall. one example of Xenia not being practiced is when Odysseus finds himself with the cyclops Polyphemus. Odyssey enters the cyclop’s CHECK APOSTROPHE cave out of curiosity. He eats the cheese that he finds without being offered it and then lies to Polyphemus about his name. Both of these actions are a big NO-NO when practicing Xenia. Since he does this, He angers Polyphemus.
Show More
Related
933 Words | 4 Pages

Xenia, in Ancient Greece, is defined as the idea of hospitality, a topic of much importance. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew rely majorly on courtesy from those involved in the encounters. However, hospitality was not always delivered throughout his journey, a crime with the severity of being punished by the gods. Odysseus encountered two types of lacking hospitality, purposeful, such as on Polyphemus’ Island and the suitors upon Odysseus’ return, which often ended in violence, or trickery, like with the Lotus Eaters and Circe’s Island.

Read More
506 Words | 3 Pages

In the story “ The Odyssey “ by Garreth Hinds, we can identify a universal theme of hospitality or “Xenia” in Ancient Greek Culture. For instance, when King Alcinous helps Odysseus when he was shipwrecked we can see the type of culture and manners that are expected by Greeks. Another prime example is when Menelaus welcomes Odysseus in Sparta and offers drinks and food. The author uses these examples throughout the story to reiterate the general theme.

Read More
1621 Words | 7 Pages

In the epic poem The Odyssey the concept of xenia plays a very important role and is one of the central themes throughout the story. It was through the practice of xenia that many of the events in the book unfolded. The Odyssey shows the story of Odysseus trying to get home, and while he’s doing that he forms relationships with people

Read More
171 Words | 1 Pages

The Ancient Greek practice of “xenia” is highly valued, and in Homer’s The Odyssey the practice of “xenia” is vital to receive good one’s fate. For example, the cyclops, Polyphemus, does not value “xenia”, so instead of welcoming Odysseus and his crew, the monster decides to eat the men. As a consequence, he lost his sight, which was primarily from Polyphemus 's blatant disregard for the Ancient Greek practice. His fate could have easily been avoided if he had not eaten his visitors.

Read More
764 Words | 4 Pages

Xenia Although many people have never even heard of the word Xenia, it is used multiple times in the epic The Odyssey. Xenia means to have "basic hospitality, the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home (Wikipedia, Xenia Greek, pg.1.) In Ancient Greece there was no such thing as a motel 6 to be able to stay the night at while you were away from home, so you would hope that the person that you are going to knock on the door to ask if you can stay the night or nights with has good Xenia and will allow you to stay in their home. The Odyssey shows the concept of Xenia all throughout the book from Odysseus's long journey to the people and gods he meets along the way. Most people living in Ancient Greece did not use Xenia

Read More
260 Words | 2 Pages

An intriguing factor in The Odyssey, is greek hospitality. Often referred to as Xenia, greeks were known for their compassion and acceptance of strangers. The god Zeus was the protector of guests and he made the religious obligation to be kind and welcoming to travelers. For example, in The Odyssey, Telemachus lets the Athena, disguised as Mente, into his home, feeds him, and offers him a place to sleep. In any other country, this would never happen.

Read More
1259 Words | 6 Pages

During this course we have read and studied many stories and myths within mythology, many of which have shared similar tones, themes, and beliefs within them. One of the more popular elements found within these myths was the idea of xenia or the laws of hospitality. These laws were followed by all, regardless of status or class within society, within this period of civilization and were said to be created and enforced by the gods. The basic set of rules of hospitality were said to be that people were expected to open up their homes to visitors without question or hesitation, that they would feed them, bath them, give them gifts, allow them to stay the night, and give them anything they would need for the remainder of their journey while also

Read More
853 Words | 4 Pages

Laieba Wardak Mrs. Mason Honors English 01 3/23/23 The Fascinating Aspects of Greek Life When people think of ancient Greek life, most think of people walking around with a vine crown on their head or the many sculptures bestowed today, but is it all that? Ancient Greek life has always been a fascinating part of history, as it is one of the oldest civilizations known to Earth. The story The Odyssey, composed by the blind poet Homer, gives a great insight into ancient Greek aspects. Odysseus' journey to get home provides key insights into major traditions in Greek life.

Read More
1474 Words | 6 Pages

Odyssey Argumentative Essay The Odyssey is an epic by Homer. It is a story about Odysseus journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. All the Greek heroes had returned home after the Trojan War except for Odysseus who was an important hero in Ithaca. Odysseus was absent in his son’s life and Telemachus decided that, it was time to find his father and bring him back home to his wife Penelope.

Read More
1465 Words | 6 Pages

Xenia is an Ancient Greek religious custom which captures the essence of the guest-host relationship. It is a sacred, religious law that may lead to severe punishment by the Greek God, Zeus, if not abided by. However, xenia may do more harm than good in some cases, plenty of which presents itself in the Odyssey. Xenia is a process and has to do with hospitality and mutual respect between a guest and a host. This is an extremely civilised practice placed in such a chaotic and barbaric age.

Read More
379 Words | 2 Pages

While The Odyssey is essentially viewed as a story about epic journeys and homecoming, but the epic is also centered around hospitality, or xenia. Xenia is the relationship between a guest and their host. By properly observing the rules of xenia, the host should ultimately be respectful, in hopes that one day their guest may be able to give the host the same hospitality. In nearly every part of Odysseus’ adventure, the custom of xenia seems to figure in some way. In The Odyssey, by following the proper rules of xenia, and adventurer is able to find their way home, while improper guest-host relationships can lead to hardships for all parties.

Read More
591 Words | 3 Pages

Homer delivers very universal themes, such as loyalty is respected, but the epic also provides meaningful themes that are not as recognizable. The Odyssey is very focused on leadership and courage, as it centers on a hero's journey. There are many parts in the epic where Homer explains the actions of an admirable leader. In the Odyssey, Odysseus exemplifies the true meaning of being a leader through courage in the face of danger, which is shown by Circe, the Sirens, and the suitors. One might wonder why it takes Odysseus ten years to return to his homeland after he has achieved victory for Ithaca in the Trojan War.

Read More
420 Words | 2 Pages

The purpose of this essay is to inform about the use of xenia. Xenia is the use of hospitality and friendliness when a person comes for shelter, food or drinks. To analyze uses of xenia we will have to use examples of personification, alliteration, simile and metaphor. In book 2 Homer shows that back then Greeks really respected the use of Xenia.

Read More
667 Words | 3 Pages

Xenia in the time of The Odyssey was a way for hosts to show off just how much they could spoil their guests. However, modern day xenia has taken on a very different form. Xenia once entailed bathing one's guest and throwing a feast, but now donating money or a blanket is viewed as generous. Though ancient xenia entailed showering one's guest with gifts and asking no questions before letting a stranger into one's house, modern xenia has taken on a much simpler form to make the practice more accessible. Odysseus could show up at a stranger's door and expect to be welcomed inside, no questions asked, which is very different from today's policies, and for good reason.

Read More
906 Words | 4 Pages

Even though Xenia is a good way to receive accompany, Xenia isn’t followed at times. The cyclop , Polyphemus was not following the Law of Hospitality because his father Poseidon has the same amount of rein. Polyphemus captured the crew of Odysseus but also him himself. Polyphemus ate four of the crew but also tried to keep them captive. Being the owner of the cave would have meant for him to offer the crew beverage, but also to let them leave freely when they wanted to leave.

Read More

More about Lack Of Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document