The Law Of Hospitality Or Xenia In Homer's Odyssey

In both short stories, Shower Songs and Xenia, the authors are caregivers to a loved one and each use multiple forms of emotional language. In Shower Song the author Brian Trapp is giving his twin brother with cerebral palsy a bath for the last time. Trapp uses a silly song to help him get through the difficult task. Xenia is about Karen Babine mother going through chemo and receiving xenia or hospitality from strangers bringing meals to her home. Her mother extends hospitality to a stranger on her last day of chemo.

here in our house you’ll find a royal welcome. Have supper first, then tell us what you want.” (Homer I.145). Telemachus’ actions, demonstrates the second step of Xenia which is to allow the stranger into one’s home. Telemachus didn’t know the stranger was Athena; he shows respects towards others, does not discriminate against strangers. Telemachus’ politeness may have given Athena a good impression of him, making her eager to assist him find news about his father.

Isabel is gullible. The first example shown is at the start of the story where slave sisters Isabel and Ruth are at the funeral of their former master, Miss Mary Finch. Miss Finch was good to the girls, she treated them well, was kind and caring, and most important of all taught them how to read and write, which slave were not allowed to learn how to do. Her will stated that when she died the girls would be free without an owner. In this scene they are asking the Pastor where they would be able to find a place to sleep.

He doesn’t selfish, but on the contrary .he will help with every problem in the glade. He don’t leave his friends alone. He doesn't want to regret.” I’m sure you have parents. I know it. Sounds terrible, but I bet your mom is sitting in your room now, holding your pillow, looking out at the world that you stole from her.” (Dashner , Themaze runner,P.194 ).

Henry Dobbins carried his girlfriend’s pantyhose for comfort. “They all carried ghost…” O’Brien (1990) Lt. Cross carried his ghost in the form of pictures and letter of Martha, as well as a pebble for luck. This was symbolic for his love for her, which changed during a mission, when Lt. Cross was fantasying about Martha at the time of Lavender’s death. The symbolic meaning of these items changed for Lt. Cross. He blamed himself on Lavender’s death.

While having to go through all the hardships and obstacles that characterized his journey, the only thing that kept him hopeful to go home to Ithaca was his faith in seeing his family. When Odysseus and his men found themselves on an island called Aeaea, where the witch-goddess Circe resided Circe fell in love with Odysseus and turned his crew into swine. Odysseus admitted to Circe that even though she was better than his wife, Penelope, Circe’s love would never compare to the love he had for Penelope. Odysseus met the messenger god Hermes who gave Odysseus an herb named moly. Moly was an herb that would shield Odysseus from magic.

“Xenia”, the Greek concept of hospitality, is both followed and rejected throughout Homer’s The Odyssey, and it causes significant results in the situations expressed throughout the book. For example, when Odysseus gets back to Ithaka, Eumaios, his swineherd, does not recognize his master but still welcomes him into his hut, resulting in Odysseus eventually reuniting with his son. Even though Eumaios does not know it is his master, he still allows Odysseus to come inside and make him feel comfortable. Eumaios’s actions prove the significance of the practice of xenia throughout Ancient Greece. In opposition, when Odysseus and his men go into the house of Polyphemus, a savage kyklops who does harm unto any trespasser, they are showed hostility,

Lancelot as frail as ever and entombed in a tower, is then saved. By the daughter of King Bademagu. We read “Now Lancelot was free, but he was still so weak that he staggered on his feeble limbs. Gently, so as not to cause him injury…they finally reached a retreat where, because of its because of its beauty and charm, she had often stayed…As soon as he has arrived she had him undressed and gently stretch out upon a beautiful, thickly cushioned couch. She then bathed and cared for him…she handled and treated him gently as she would her own father, completely healing him and giving him new life…She gave him the most marvelous horse that anyone had ever seen, and he leapt swiftly into the saddle without even touching the stirrups…I am free in spite of him!

The household will clothe, feed, and room the guest, while the guest in return shows respect and gratefulness. Penelope continues to practice xenia, even though the suitors “bled [Odysseus’] house to death” by eating, drinking, and stealing, “ravished the serving women [and] wooed [her without consent]” (Homer 22.37-38). Even after an instance when the suitors “broke into uproar… / [and prayed] to lie besides her [and] share her bed]” (1.420-21) when she cried about Odysseus’ absence, Penelope stilled practiced xenia. When Odysseus returns, he

Luella Bates Washington Jones as she drags Roger home with her. Once inside, she asks him to tell her his name and to wash his face in the sink. Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones forgives him with her motherly nature by saying, “ You ought to be my son I would teach you right from wrong.”(Hughes Pg.1) She is a powerful presence in Roger’s life for a short period of time. It is also, by forgiving Roger, that Mrs. Jones helps him open his eyes to the idea of choice. The combination of her sternness and compassion affects Roger tremendously.