The Generosity Of Xenia In Ancient Greece

Xenia, The Law of Hospitality The theme of Xenia was one of the most spotted out in The Odyssey, which is the Law of Hospitality. The Law of Hospitality is being polite to strangers who need assistance but it is more than it’s a host and guest relationship. Xenia is seen throughout The Odyssey. Xenia provides an effort of making the community a safer and better community.

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey is one of the most complex pieces of literature in the field of classics, the intricacies and hidden meanings that are engrained in the text make it a perfect source to examine the behaviors that were valued and displayed in Greek society. Hospitality is one of the major behavioral patterns that is central to this epic as well as ancient Greek society. Homer helps the reader to understand this code of behavior by writing vivid scenes where the audience can see what lengths the hosts are willing to go to in order to please their guests. However, this understanding is complicated by some abuses of hospitality by the protagonists, Odysseus and Telemachus when they themselves are guests, receiving others hospitality.

The Ancient Greek practice of “xenia” is highly valued, and in Homer’s The Odyssey the practice of “xenia” is vital to receive good one’s fate. For example, the cyclops, Polyphemus, does not value “xenia”, so instead of welcoming Odysseus and his crew, the monster decides to eat the men. As a consequence, he lost his sight, which was primarily from Polyphemus 's blatant disregard for the Ancient Greek practice. His fate could have easily been avoided if he had not eaten his visitors. Another example is when Nestor of Pylos and Menelaos of Sparta are both hospitable towards Telemakhos, granting him whatever he pleases on his quest. Both of these men are abundantly rewarded by the gods all from their respect for “xenia”. “Xenia” is the most important

3. What do you think Odysseus is going to do to the suitors? I think Odysseus will kill all of the bad suitors and servants and let the good servants and maids live. Book XXI.

By telling the suitors to leave, Telemachus proves how much he has grown. Another instance where Telemachus shows his maturity is when he calls the assembly about the suitors. “When’d they’d grouped, crowding the meeting grounds, Telemachus strode in too, a bronze spear in his grip…” (page 93/lines 9-10). This piece of evidence shows how Telemachus is growing up.

Although he is young, Telemachus is technically the "man of the house" and by Greek gender standards has control over his mother. The suitors know this as they suggest that Telemachus is prolonging the situation by not "sending his mother away with orders to marry" (124). Somehow this is a credible argument to the suitors and they vow to "eat you [him] out of the house" (134) essentially squandering all their resources until Penelope decides to marry one of the suitors. Furthermore, they disrespect Telemachus by saying "your inheritance is going down the drain and will never be restored" (223) and "you've got some nerve laying the blame on us when the suitors aren't at fault it's your mother" (93-95). The suitors try to convince Telemachus that he has no right to be angry and that he's in this situation because of his mother.

Penelope, his wife, is greatly affected; as many greedy suitors disrespect her and move into their home to try and win her hand in marriage. Throughout ‘The Odyssey’, the greed and folly of men play a huge part in increasing the difficulty and severity of Odysseus’s situations and ultimately change his fate and the directions of his journey. The greed and folly of men are largely represented by Penelope’s suitors. In the very first book of The Odyssey, the disgusting actions of the suitors were introduced to the readers.

Telemachus going up to the suitors makes the suitors realize that he is now ready to take change of his own house. Telemachus gained a lot more maturity after the elders started stepping up for him.

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.

They are rude and act as if the house of odysseus belonged to them, eating food, drinking and making a mess. Telemachus calls an assembly to address the problem with the suitors “How arrogant

Telemachus is not happy about this. As Penelope tried to decide what song the bard should sing for the suitors, Telemachus sent her to her room, signaling the first time he takes authority over a situation (1.15). The suitors were not used to or happy with his suddenly brave tongue (1.16). Penelope encourages this as we go on.

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

Another situation where the moral was shown in the story is the difference between Odysseus and Telemachus’s view towards the suitors. Although they both knew that the suitors had to leave, they had different methods of doing so. “‘And you, if you have any shame in your own hearts,/ you must leave my palace!’”, Telemachus said to the suitors in attempt to remove them from the palace (2.155-56). Telemachus complained about the suitors and threatened them, while Odysseus took another route of action. Odysseus and Telemachus created a complex plan in order to kill each individual suitor who attempted to wed Penelope, Odysseus’s wife (16.298-330).

During Book II, Telemakhos straightens up and sets up a resolution to get rid of the suitors. He starts by telling the suitors his resolution to rid them from his house, as they are consuming his supplies and suiting his mother. One time, instead of shaking the hands of the suitors and going back with them, he refuses to shake it, symbolizing his objection to their influence. He begins by assuming a commanding attitude and acting as the true ruler of Odysseus’ home. He affirms his position in power like a prince although many suitors laugh and ignore him.

Today it is quite frightening to stay in a stranger’s home, but in The Odyssey, it is common to do so. The Odyssey, a novel written by Homer in the twelfth century B.C.E. (Who Was Homer?), is about Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca, his gentle wife Penelope, and his maturing son Telemachus after the Trojan War. In this novel, the theme of hospitality occurs frequently. Hospitality is the act of being welcoming to others by giving the guest food, drink, clothes, a place to rest, and a bath. Being hospitable in Homeric Greece is so significant, that it is a part of their culture.