Theme Of Xenia In Homer's Odyssey

We have all heard the phrase, “make yourself feel at home.” In Homeric times, this phrase was meant literally. Today, we have our own form of hospitality and although it may not be as extensive and as serious as it is portrayed in the Odyssey, today’s hospitality is still relatable to those times. Hospitality was expected of all guest and host relationships. Xenia held both social and religious importance, as it was believed in ancient Greece that any person could actually be a god in disguise. In turn, xenia is a very important and prevalent major theme throughout Homer’s Odyssey. The custom of xenia to the Greeks meant a great deal, especially when most of their world was still savage. This is evident by Odysseus’ statement upon waking in

As Odysseus and his men reach the land of the Cyclopes, they explore the land, which leads them inside of Polyphemus’ cave. Odysseus and his twelve men assume Polyphemus will be welcoming and hospitable showing good signs of xenia, but they are most certainly wrong. Upon Polyphemus’ discovery of Odysseus and his men, he immediately exhibits bad signs of xenia, demanding them to explain who they are and where they are from. Odysseus requests his hospitality to not refuse them and to respect the gods, “But we, for our part, come as suppliant to your knees, hoping for hospitality, and the kindness that is due to strangers. Good sir, do not refuse us: respect the gods. We are suppliants and Zeus protects visitors and suppliants, Zeus the god of guests, who follows the steps of sacred travellers.” ( CITE HERE) Polyphemus responds by saying the Cyclopes do not fear the gods and if they were to spare them they would only as their own heart prompted (Book IX, lines 296-297). It can be argued that Odysseus trespassed into Polyphemus’ home and ate his food without Polyphemus’ consent, but it does not change the fact that Polyphemus did not exhibit one bit of good xenia toward Odysseus or his men throughout their entire interaction. This interaction between Polyphemus and Odysseus’ men came with consequence. Odysseus demonstrates bad xenia himself, and he and his

Xenia describes the quality of showing courtesy to strangers, and creating a welcoming and hospitable relationship between host and guest. While Odysseus is well aware of xenia and its benefits and consequences, he does not always exhibit the best xenia. This is shown in the examples provided displaying interactions he is faced with along his journey. The two extreme examples being the interaction with the Phaeacians and then the Cyclopes. His interaction with the Phaeacians was a great show of good xenia for both host and guest, which he benefited from greatly. The show of bad xenia with the Cyclopes ended Odysseus and his crew without a ship. Throughout the Odyssey, the concept of xenia plays an important part in the civilization and lives of those in the story. Both noble and wicked examples of xenia are seen, and the reader can easily see how a simple act of hospitality can greatly alter a series of events – good or