Preview

Hospitality And Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
534 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Hospitality And Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey
There are many different themes in The Odyssey, but the most prominent theme Homer portrays in his epic poem is hospitality or Xenia. The act of Xenia was perhaps the most important Greek custom out of all because you see it being performed time and time again throughout Odysseus’ journey home. The Odyssey was about the twenty year long journey of King Odysseus return to Ithaca from battling in the Trojan War. The theme of hospitality is present not only while Odysseus is travelling from city to city, but also at his home in Ithaca, where his wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus’, palace is being overrun with suitors. On Odysseus’ trying journey home, he was welcomed by several kings displaying Xenia, not only because it was Greek custom,
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Hospitality In The Odyssey
    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Examples Of Hospitality In The Odyssey

    In The Odyssey an epic poem by Homer, Odysseus goes on a twenty year voyage which includes the Trojan War when a sea nymph named Kalypso holds Odysseus captive. During this trip Odysseus meets a lot of new people and when he meets these new people they treat him like he is family, this concept is known as hospitality. In this epic poem this theme is constantly shown by some of the main characters and other characters too. Most forms of hospitality are good but at times there is also bad hospitality shown. Both positive and negative examples of hospitality exist in The Odyssey; Homer uses both these examples to suggest that good hospitality shows loyalty and nobility to others while bad hospitality shows that that person does not care about…

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Polyphemus Idea Of Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey
    • 160 Words
    • 1 Page

    Polyphemus Idea Of Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey

    In book 9 of The Odyssey, Polyphemus does not partake in the concept of xenia. After Polyphemus had finished milking his animals, he caught a glimpse of Odysseus and his men who in turn asked for “a guest gift, the sort that hosts give strangers” (9.301-302). Odysseus demanded for such a thing to portray a brave leader in the eyes of his men since “the hearts inside [them] shook” when Polyphemus entered his home (9.288). The terse response that Polyphemus received led him to eat two men because he was not expecting such an insolent answer. Odysseus continues to advise Polyphemus to “ respect the gods…[or] Zeus will avenge their rights!” (9.303-305). This does not influence Polyphemus’s idea of xenia because he and his fellow cyclopes do not…

    • 160 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Role Of Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey
    • 329 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Role Of Hospitality In Homer's Odyssey

    In just a couple of pages into Book 1, we see the ritual of hospitality where Athena, “gripping her bronze spear,” and to world she looked like a, “stranger now, like Mentes, lord of the Taphians (Fagles 81). So to the world, Athena is a man now and the first to sees her is Telemachus and to welcome her, he say, “Greetings, strangers! (Fagles 81).” And Telemachus insisted on this stranger to have supper first, and then ask what the stranger wanted. It was not just Telemachus who was welcoming to this “stranger,” but the, maid, housekeeper, carver, and heralds were also generous and welcoming by bring out, the “golden pitcher” to wash their hands, “bread to serve them,” and “platters of meat (Fagles 82).” And after the stranger have been there…

    • 329 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hospitality And Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey
    • 1019 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hospitality And Xenia In Homer's The Odyssey

    Xenia was a covenant, which meant that both parties had to abide by its rules. While the hosts were required to offer the best of their people (e.g. food, clothing, treasures), the guests had to respect the rules and affairs of their hosts as well as share their stories/reasons for traveling, which was viewed as a form of entertainment. Obedience of this covenant was most clearly shown in Book 4, where King Menelaus welcomed Telemachus into his land and offered him gifts (4.59-4.63). In exchange, Telemachus shared the happenings in his own land as well as his current journey. By these two cases, the conditions of the covenant were met. Accordingly, the “rewards” here were created by the nature of xenia itself. While Telemachus received the hospitality offered by Menelaus, Menelaus received the stories offered by Telemachus. Xenia was basically a trade of gifts, so it followed that - because gifts are “rewards” - both sides “rewarded” each other. Moreover, as long xenia was successfully executed, both sides would be inevitably rewarded in this…

    • 1019 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Paeacian Society In The Odyssey
    • 445 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Examples Of Paeacian Society In The Odyssey

    In book 6 and 7 of the Odyssey our hero, Odysseus is first introduced to the Phaeacian society. We can see from the beginning of book 6 to the end of book 7 that the Phaeacians want to do nothing but help our broken-down, distressed and homesick hero, who wants nothing more than to return to his home land of Ithica. They help him get back on his feet and on his way again. “I now appoint a day for your departure home: tomorrow. You shall lie deep in sleep while they row you over tranquil seas,” They show an immeasurable amount of hospitality toward Odysseus, putting a fine roof over his head, the finest clothes on his back and the most luxurious of foods and wines in his stomach. “White-armed Arete gave her maids instructions to put a bed in the portico and to furnish it with the finest purple rugs, spread coverlets over these and add warm blankets on top.” These people show great xenia to Odysseus allowing him to sit in Alcinous’ favourite son’s chair, showing the reader that Odysseus is more than welcome in their society.…

    • 445 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hospitality in the Odyssey Essay Example
    • 1994 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Hospitality in the Odyssey Essay Example

    Hospitality as a theme in any literary work may not seem note-worthy. However, in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, it becomes fundamental to the telling of the story. In addition to hospitality in The Odyssey, the question of is it given out of fear of retribution from the gods or out of true generosity, is raised. What is also shown is the form of which it comes in, whether it be unwanted, given too much or taken advantage of. Homer illustrates the theme of hospitality through the actions of Menelaus, the Phaeacians, Nestor, Eumaious and the suitors.…

    • 1994 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Xenia In Homer's Odyssey
    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Xenia In Homer's Odyssey

    The ancient Greek code of hospitality xenia influenced the epic in various ways. The Phaeacians welcome Odysseus under this code. “’In accordance with our [Phaeacian] custom, let us make the immediate arrangements to escort him [Odysseus]’” (95). They followed with their custom and later saw him back to Ithaca. This influences the end of the epic greatly without the Phaeacians generous interpretation of xenia Odysseus would never have reached home and taken revenge on the suitors. Xenia was shown again when Telemachus welcomed Athene into his when she wore the guise of Mentes he fed her and asked about his father. She told him to go inquire about Odysseus’s fate. He does this and learns of no accounts of his father’s death so he was more apt…

    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Xenia In Homer's Odyssey
    • 295 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Theme Of Xenia In Homer's Odyssey

    We have all heard the phrase, “make yourself feel at home.” In Homeric times, this phrase was meant literally. Today, we have our own form of hospitality and although it may not be as extensive and serious as it is portrayed in the Odyssey, today’s hospitality is still relatable to those times. Hospitality was expected of all guest and host relationships. Xenia held both social and religious importance, as it was believed in ancient Greece that any person could actually be a god in disguise. In turn, xenia is a very important and prevalent major theme throughout Homer’s Odyssey. The custom of xenia to the Greeks meant a lot during a time when most of the world was still savage. This is evident by Odysseus’ statement, “Now, by my life, mankind…

    • 295 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hospitality in the Odyssey
    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hospitality in the Odyssey

    Citizens living in Peloponnesia would have been ready to welcome a guest to house them for a long stay or even just a simple meal. The features of the ancient Greek times are that the hospitality had to be ready on the spot at almost all times. In modern day times an unscheduled visit from a stranger would be unheard of. For an ancient Greek this would not have been too extremely rare. Even though might be a slight inconvenience the people who lived in this culture were ready and welcoming to a stranger like this.…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Good Hospitality In Homer's The Odyssey
    • 432 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Good Hospitality In Homer's The Odyssey

    In the Odyssey, hospitality is one of the most important values. In modern times people rarely think of hospitality, but in Ancient Greece it was a pillar of the social structure. In addition, this guest-host relationship, commonly referred to as Xenia, proved to be a lot more than simple courtesy. In a time period where the world was still uncivilized, demonstrating good hospitality showed the mark of a civilized person. Numerous narratives within the Odyssey illustrate the value Homer places on showing good hospitality. He does this by showing bad things happening to those who abuse hospitality such as the suitors, and good things happening to those who practice good hospitality such as Eumaeus, the loyal cowhead.…

    • 432 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Hospitality In The Odyssey
    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Essay On Hospitality In The Odyssey

    In The Odyssey a Graphic Novel, by Gareth Hinds, based on Homer’s Odyssey, there are many life lessons, or lessons on Ancient Greek culture that can be learned.…

    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Importance Of Hospitality In The Odyssey
    • 450 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Importance Of Hospitality In The Odyssey

    In The Odyssey the reader learns about what the Greek people valued by learning that they valued hospitality no matter who you are, and lineage. The story shows the reader that if someone is found in a situation in which they do not know someone, the host should be hospitable and help the stranger with what he or she needs. Also, the idea that where someone comes from, who their father is , and who is their family is determines how they should act and what they are like. The Odyssey Shows many examples of these ideas in the text, by making the characters experience these situations.…

    • 450 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hospitality In The Odyssey
    • 1166 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hospitality In The Odyssey

    In our modern day, there are plenty of different ways that a person can show hospitality towards a guest whether it be a stranger or friend. Having only lived in the United States, I have found myself to be treated most graciously by my friends, but every so often, I do find myself to be lost in a friends house. Every person was taught certain morals as a child that they now use in their adult lives, but for some people, hospitality has been thought to be just letting them come into the house. In the Odyssey, so far, we as the readers have come to see how hospitality can be very well done. Whether it be Telemachus or Odysseus traveling and staying at places, they were served at the finest level even though they were complete strangers.…

    • 1166 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Why Is Xenia Such an Important Theme in the Odyssey?
    • 1204 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Why Is Xenia Such an Important Theme in the Odyssey?

    Why is Xenia such an important theme in the Odyssey? Explain your views and support them with details from the poem. (45 marks)…

    • 1204 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Odyssey Essay; Hospitality
    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Odyssey Essay; Hospitality

    The greeks put a large emphasis on the importance of traditions. One important example of a tradition is to show hospitality and respect strangers as well as to hosts. If this tradition was broken, punishments were to be dealt out. Usually, the punishments were not specific. What happened after the God’s traditions were disobeyed, a series of bad events usually occurred. After the God’s traditions were followed, a series of positive events usually occurred. There were multiple examples of this in the epic poem The Odyssey. The suitors and Polyphemus have extremely bad luck after dishonoring the God’s traditions, whereas Penelope honors the God’s and demonstrates how good hospitality is rewarded.…

    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics