Xenia In The Odyssey Analysis

Xenia, or rather reciprocated hospitality, is indispensible in ancient Greek life. Zeus, the god of xenia would ensure that Greeks were hospitable and cordial towards their guests, or consequently faced his wrath. Xenia is a mythical theme that appears countless times throughout The Odyssey. Hospitality is not only practiced throughout the epic, but moreover, hospitality is expected between hosts and guests. The scene at the house of Walsh is a primary example of xenia in O Brother, Where Art Thou. The escaped convicts, journey to Walsh’s house where they are met with an unconventional welcome of a small boy pointing a gun towards the men, and shooting at their feet. Still, the boy lowers his gun upon learning that he is related to Pete, and

Subsequently, all of the men gather in a small room with the radio on for entertainment. Walsh continues to practice good xenia when Ulysses asks to borrow a hairnet overnight. In a plot twist while Ulysses, Pete, and Delmar are sleeping the police appear, outside of the barn they are sleeping in, to arrest the men. At this point it is clear Walsh has practiced bad xenia by contacting authorities on the whereabouts of the convicts for financial gain. Likewise, Ulysses later confesses to the men of stealing a pocket watch from Walsh; yet, Ulysses justifies his actions due to Walsh turning them in to the authorities. The occurrence of bad xenia on behalf of both host and guest materializes as well in The Odyssey, between Odysseus and Polyphemus. Polyphemus has bad xenia when he asks obtrusive questions (The Odyssey, 314-6), eats his guests (The Odyssey, 324-384), and moreover curses his remaining guests (The Odyssey, 585-95). Comparably to Ulysses, Odysseus also practices bad xenia when he blinds Polyphemus with a spear made from an olive tree (The Odyssey, 427-41) yet, claims he is overall justified in his