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The Law Of Hospitality Or Xenia In Homer's Odyssey

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The Law of Hospitality or Xenia is a law/belief in Homer’s Odyssey. Xenia, says that all guests that show to your home or lands must be treated kindly, with respect and cared for before one may ask questions about them. This is because they may or may not be a god in disguise, and all gods should be treated kindly. In the Odyssey, King Alcinous of the Phaeacians treats Odysseus kindly when he is found on his island. King Alcinous’s daughter, found Odysseus sleeping by the shore after his raft had broken. They quickly took him in, bathed, clothed and fed Odysseus before asking him who he was and what he was doing. King Alcinous held up Xenia or the Law of Hospitality by treating Odysseus kindly before asking him anything. On the contrary, Poseidon’s
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In the Odysseus (book 9), written by Homer, (book 9) has several symbolisms throughout the episode. One major symbolism used throughout this episode was hospitality. Homer use Cyclops and Odysseus to represent the different view of hospitality. Odysseus action symbolize the poor use of hospitality. Odysseus and his men sailed to the land of the Cyclopes.

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Instead of simply fleeing the island and thanking the gods for their escape, Odysseus insists on provoking the giant, even though he knows that this will put his crew in danger. As a result, Polyphemus calls upon his father, Poseidon, to curse Odysseus and his men, leading to many more trials and tribulations for the hero and his crew. Another example of Odysseus's prideful behavior can be seen in his encounter with Circe. After successfully freeing his men from her enchantments, Odysseus becomes enamored with her and stays on her island for a year. While this may seem like a harmless indulgence, it is important to remember that Odysseus has a wife and son waiting for him at home.

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Before knowing that Odysseus was who he was, he paid attention to him which shows the sign of being a substantial host unlike the suitors. This is proven by when he asks Eumaeus about the stranger: “How can I welcome this guest in my house? … One man, however powerful, can’t do much against superior numbers.” (Odyssey 16.

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Hospitality and kindness played a major role in Greek society and this is clear throughout Homer’s writing. In his epic, The Odyssey, Homer creates two groups, those who are kind and hospitable, and those who are not. Those who are hospitable are respected and thought highly off, while those who violate the laws of kindness eventually end up punished. During his long and treacherous journey back home to Ithica, Odysseus experiences many forms of hospitality. Some of these shows of hospitality are need and generous, while others are not.

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