Xenia is a key value in the The Odyssey by Homer, as the book focuses on when it is offered and when there is a lack of it in the places Odysseus visited. Xenia is the Greek concept of hospitality, generosity towards travelers who are far from home and is very important to the Greeks. During Odysseus and Telemachus’ travels, they encountered many people with different ideas of a welcome to their home. A few were very hostile and Odysseus lost men, but many offered an open home to the unknown travelers.
The first time this is displayed is when Telemachus traveled to meet King Nestor of Pylos, and is invited to dine with the king and his friends, eating extravagant food and wine before the king even knew that Telemachus was a prince and the son …show more content…
When Odysseus traveled to the Land of the Cyclopes, he did not know the nature of the native people, but expected hospitality from them as it was the custom. Instead, Polyphemus trapped the crew in his cave, picking them off two by two while Odysseus begged him to stop. Eventually Odysseus came up with a plan to escape, tricking Polyphemus and stabbing him in the eye, blinding him. Xenia is a reciprocal relationship between the host and the guest, and Odysseus did not offer Polyphemus xenia either. Another place where Odysseus had trouble was Aeolia, when they were blown back only a short time after they left. Aeolus decided that Odysseus was cursed, and refused to house him any longer, kicking him out of his house. A final place that xenia was not given was on Thrinacia Island, where Helios’ cows lived. Odysseus’ men killed some of the cows that were sacred to Helios.
These places show a few times that the hospitality in Greece was questionable, and a few times that it showed its importance to them. This was a main theme in the Odyssey because Odysseus traveled to many different places, expecting the same welcome that he would have given his guests, and was sometimes surprised by the response. Xenia is a value in Greek society for a reason, and it shows the kindness of the rulers Odysseus
The first time this is displayed is when Telemachus traveled to meet King Nestor of Pylos, and is invited to dine with the king and his friends, eating extravagant food and wine before the king even knew that Telemachus was a prince and the son …show more content…
When Odysseus traveled to the Land of the Cyclopes, he did not know the nature of the native people, but expected hospitality from them as it was the custom. Instead, Polyphemus trapped the crew in his cave, picking them off two by two while Odysseus begged him to stop. Eventually Odysseus came up with a plan to escape, tricking Polyphemus and stabbing him in the eye, blinding him. Xenia is a reciprocal relationship between the host and the guest, and Odysseus did not offer Polyphemus xenia either. Another place where Odysseus had trouble was Aeolia, when they were blown back only a short time after they left. Aeolus decided that Odysseus was cursed, and refused to house him any longer, kicking him out of his house. A final place that xenia was not given was on Thrinacia Island, where Helios’ cows lived. Odysseus’ men killed some of the cows that were sacred to Helios.
These places show a few times that the hospitality in Greece was questionable, and a few times that it showed its importance to them. This was a main theme in the Odyssey because Odysseus traveled to many different places, expecting the same welcome that he would have given his guests, and was sometimes surprised by the response. Xenia is a value in Greek society for a reason, and it shows the kindness of the rulers Odysseus