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Xenia In The Odyssey

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In The Odyssey, Homer depicts a society that culturally values Xenia in which generosity is freely and willingly given to strangers; failure to exhibit the trait is punishable by death. Homer develops the trait of hospitality being integral in Greek society through Meneláos’ act of generosity and the repercussions the suitors face because of their failure to display it. The epic includes the literary devices of alliteration to emphasize Menelaos' act of giving and a simile to exemplify the suitors abusing of the custom. The use of alliteration in the description of Meneláos' gift to Telemachus as "precious and perfect" (Homer 253) emphasizes how hospitable the Greek societies are because of their selectivity in the choosing of gifts. The act of giving is not out of obligation; it is the norm of their society. The objects offered serve as a symbol of the owners respect and pride for the guest to share to others what they received. As Telemachus' receives the “perfect and precious” food and treasury, he is receiving …show more content…

Homers comparison of Odysseus' appearance as "caked in blood like a mountain lion"( Homer 390) shows how the suitors met a gruesome and deserving death by Greek society. The blood of the suitors, described as having been caked and collected on Odysseus' persona, is a symbol of justification that the Greek society gained for the suitors abusement of xenia. Homer’s representation of a mountain lion as Odysseus is describing indirectly how the suitors were hunted like prey by a stealthy and strong individual. A mountain lion is careful and patient in the killing of their prey: this enhances how Odysseus would take the necessary time needed for the suitors to pay with their lives. The abusement of Xenia is not taken lightly and individuals will be punished by a dishonorable

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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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Both receive Telemachus in a similar manner that he received Athena in. They take care of his basic needs, offer him food and a place to sleep, and only when he is ready do they talk about business, “Nestor’s son Pisistratus: first to reach them, grasped their hands and sat them down at the feast… flanking his brother and father” Nestor places his unknown guests at seats of honor and supplies them with food and drink. Only after the guests have finished filling themselves does Nestor ask who they are and why they are here. (108) These examples indicate there is a trend of extending hospitality before introductions but the reason for that is reinforced by Menelaus when Telemachus visits Sparta “Just think of all the hospitality we enjoyed at the hands of other men before we made it home…

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The suitors are surprised and upset with the disrespectful way Telemachus spoke to them. The suitors, no matter how upsetting their actions, consider themselves guests of Telemachus and his mother, which reveals that some believe even if one breaks the laws of hospitality and extends their stay long beyond their welcome, the host does not hold the right to ask them to leave. Additionally, when Telemachus informs the suitors that if they decide it is better to overextend their hospitality and ruin Telemachus and his mother, he will attempt to shame them. He knows that if they feel shame, everything will go back to normal and unknowingly, the suitors will restore the ethical principle of hospitality on Ithaca. Despite all that, Telemachus’ idea does not go over well with them.

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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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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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This shows that he has been a loyal servant. He let a stranger into his home and cared for him. He remembers the usage of xenia because he tries to remember his master Odysseus. Homer’s

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It showed others respect, kindness, and allowed them to feel welcome. Homer demonstrates this value through the actions of his characters. The characters’ actions exemplify the meaning of kindness during that time in Ancient Greek culture. By using examples such as courtesy to the gods and goddesses and examples that represent the generosity of the Phaeacians, Homer successfully incorporates the theme of hospitality in his epic

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After Odysseus lies to the Cyclops about the origins of the crew and himself, the story states, “But in one stride he clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies... Then he dismembered them and made his meal, gaping and crunching like a mountain lion.” (p.820 189-190, 192-193) This is an epic simile that describes the way the Cyclops ate the men and how the men behaved when being picked up and comparing them to animals. The men being eaten were compared to puppies, an animal people generally consider weak, and the Cyclops to a mountain lion, an animal traditionally considered strong.

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