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Value Of Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

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The Ancient Greeks are known for their emphasis on values integral to their society. Among the five fundamental values, glory, loyalty, intelligence, bravery, and hospitality, this essay will focus on analyzing the value of hospitality. Hospitality was an essential element of Ancient Greek culture, and its significance can be found in various works of literature from the time. Throughout the text, the value of hospitality is demonstrated in various ways, including the treatment of guests, the concept of xenia, and the consequences of violating hospitality. One of the most prominent ways in which the value of hospitality is demonstrated in Ancient Greek literature is through the treatment of guests. In Homer's Odyssey, Telemachus shows hospitality to Athena, whom he believes is a mortal. He says, "My guest, whoever you may be, god or mortal, I welcome you and hope you will enjoy our feast" (Book 1, lines 160-161). Telemachus' greeting to Athena demonstrates the importance of hospitality in Ancient Greek culture. Guests were treated with the utmost respect and provided food, shelter, and protection. This quote shows that even if the guest was a god, they would be welcomed and treated with the same hospitality as a mortal. The treatment of guests in Ancient …show more content…

In The Iliad, Diomedes and Glaukos exchange armor and become guest friends. Glaukos says, "Let us exchange our arms, that all may know we claim to be hereditary guest-friends" (Book 6, lines 236-237). The exchange of armor between Diomedes and Glaukos demonstrates the importance of xenia in Ancient Greek culture. Xenia was a reciprocal relationship between a host and guest, where both parties would exchange gifts and help each other in times of need. This quote shows that the exchange of gifts was a way to establish a guest-friendship and maintain a strong relationship between the two

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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.

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930 Words | 4 Pages

First, Telemachus exhibited his ability to properly host in accordance with Greek tradition (Od. 1. 138-146). Thus, reaffirming Athena’s capacity to exceed the expectations of a proper houseguest. While in disguise, Athena provided Telemachus with the perfect opportunity to accommodate her,

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480 Words | 2 Pages

When they saw the strangers coming, they all stood up with open arms to greet them, inviting them to join them.” (Homer, pg. 136). The. This quote shows how they are getting ready to praise Poseidon. This is also clearly showing the people greeting the strangers with open arms and inviting them to come and join them, which is the theme of hospitality.

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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

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618 Words | 3 Pages

In the beginning of The Odyssey, in book one, Telemachus spots Pallas Athena and gives her this grand welcoming. He said, “Greeting Stranger! Here in our house you’ll find a royal welcome” (Homer 277.

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1018 Words | 5 Pages

Although Odysseus has been on a terrible journey, he has not always reacted with honor and dignity like Penelope does. Penelope shows honor and dignity when she practices xenia, does not marry a suitor, and forgives Odysseus. In Greek society, xenia is a concept which dictates the relationship between the guest and the household. The household will clothe, feed, and room the guest, while the guest in return shows respect and gratefulness.

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1395 Words | 6 Pages

To you others, however, who come here night after night to drink my choicest wine and listen to my bard, I would insist as follows” to Philoetius slaying the suitor Ctesippus “for the foot which you gave Ulysses when he was begging in his own house.”. Greek hospitality allowed the building of friendship between cities, leading to the merge or assimilation of values that would help form the national identity. The Greek values that formed over its years acted as its primary

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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.

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711 Words | 3 Pages

Xenia is the greek term for “hospitality towards visitors”. This Greek term is shown when Telemachus and Peisistratus both began on their journey on a yoke. “And they drove to Menelaus’ palace,/Which they found filled with guests” (Lombardo 44). Menelaus has many guests in his palace because of Xenia which is valued in their society. They believe in Xenia because when people are away from home, they are uncomfortable so showing hospitality towards visitors makes them miss home less.

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From Odysseus’ time with Calypso in Ogygia up until the moment he takes back his home and wife from the suitors in Ithaca, the struggles he faces help answer what makes for a good life. Homer uses Odysseus’ journey throughout “The Odyssey” to identify four aspects of a good life: mortality, honor, hospitality, and experiences. Homer reveals that mortality is necessary for a good life when Odysseus denies the opportunity for immortality that Calypso offers, he shows the significance of honor in his description of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan war and the consequent respect that Odysseus’ crew has for him, Homer reinforces the importance of hospitality in each city Odysseus travels to, and he conveys that experiences, good or bad, define a good life. The Greeks held their gods in high esteem and therefore when Homer or other characters in the epic refer to Odysseus as being “godlike,” this is one of the highest compliments he could receive.

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The Ancient Greeks had numerous traditions and qualities that were greatly unique in relation to the ones we are acquainted with today. They were very hospitable, which led to them celebrating guests by hosting feasts in their honor. Food helped to serve as an indicator for social status as well. The higher up you were, the more elegant and extravagant your meals would be. However, in the epic poem

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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.

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631 Words | 3 Pages

The Princess’s courtesy provides an example of the hospitality that exists throughout Odysseus’s interactions with the Phaeacians. When Odysseus asserts his plea for help, King Alcinous and Queen Arete offer “...to take him safely, comfortably, well and happily, with speed, to his own country, distant though it may lie.” (7.208-210). By granting Odysseus’s request, King Alcinous and Queen Arete demonstrate selflessness, a chief pillar of Greek culture. Later that night, as the Phaeacians hold a feast in honor of Poseidon, King Alcinous and the twelve princes offer Odysseus gifts to take on his return home (8.421-426).

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906 Words | 4 Pages

When a stranger is seen, Xenia has to be put in effect also. Nausicaa, daughter of King Alcinous instantly offers clothing and beverage to Odysseus being a surprise to her. Nausicaa seeing Odysseus naked knew what he needed and offered it to him because being kind and warming to the guest was the point of Xenia. The social standard didn’t matter whether Xenia was put in action, it always had to be present. Penelope and the old servant treated the old beggar as any other guest, the beggar was help in the house of Penelope and Odysseus.

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1376 Words | 6 Pages

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