The Significance of Xenia in Homer’s The Odyssey

Kaitlyn Lambert MR. Bovaird Honors English 9 23 May 2010 The Significance of Xenia in Homer’s Odyssey The society of Ancient Greece was very much centered around the gods, and a healthy fear of the consequences of not obeying their laws. The next most important staples of the society were the concepts of braver, pride, and hospitality, or Xenia. The significance of these values is shown quite clearly in The Odyssey of Homer. In the first five books of the epic, Telemachos is shown great hospitality by the kings, Nestor, and Menelaos. As Homer writes in description of Nestor’s reception of Telemachos and Athena, â€Å"These men, when they sighted the strangers, all came down together and gave them greeting with their hands and offered†¦show more content†¦(Homer.9.289-2910† This is one example of the brutality that Odysseus and his crew were also shown, rather than hospitality. The range of degrees of hospitality shown to the travelers is a testament to the number of people who ignored the law of Xenia. The hospitality that Telemachos and Penelope show Odysseus when he returns home, even though they do not know who he really is yet another example of xenia. This hospitality helps in his winning his home back from the suitors. Telemachos welcomes Odysseus into the house, and gives him permission to beg the suitors of money. Despite knowing this, said suitors harass him when he asks for coins. In response to this, Telemachos says â€Å", There will be no pleasure in this feast, at all since vile things will be uppermost. Now the hallowed prince Telemachos spoken [†¦] I drive away no man.â€Å" Telemachos’s defense of Odysseus, even in guise of a vagabond, shows great grace on his part, and show great hospitality, on top of undermining the suitors, thus giving them less power. After the suitors have gone home, Penelope summons her maidservant, saying â€Å", Eurynome, bring up a chair, and put a fleece on it, so that the stranger can be seated, and tell me his story, and listen to what I have to say. (Homer.18.97-99)† This statement shows that Penelope is intending t make a beggar as comfortable as she, and set aside time specifically toShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Xenia And The Odyssey 889 Words   |  4 PagesYour Name Your Professors Name Course Number †¨Date The Significance of Xenia in the Works of Homer: Hospitality in the Illiad and the Odyssey The concept of Xenia was extremely significant in ancient Greek culture. As such, it played a prominent role in the works of authors, most specifically Homer. In fact, some of the most significant information we have about the concept of Xenia, as it relates to cultural norms come from the work of Homer, and the examples of hospitality demonstrated inRead MoreEssay Homers Hospitality1386 Words   |  6 Pagesduring1600 BC. It was during this time that Ancient Greece began to take form, in both cultural and religious aspects. Historians often refer to this period as Mycenaean, but due to the culture and values embodied in Homer’s poem, The Odyssey, it is also known as the Homeric Age. In Homer’s world, society consisted of city-states controlled by well-respected Kings. The Homeric Age also focused on the importance of religion where all regions participated in sacrificial tributes to the Gods. Unlike today’sRead MoreOdysseus : The Heroic Hero1605 Words   |   7 Pages In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, the Greek poet uses the language devices of imagery, diction, and epic similes, to encompass Odysseus’ role as an audacious leader who also strives to maintain his crew’s best interest at heart. A hero is someone who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Homer created the character of Odysseus, the epic hero who possess the qualities of being hubris but in the long run makes a bold attempt to do the right thing. Read MoreDisguise, And Its Implications1927 Words   |  8 PagesNicholas Ianni Professor Erdheim ENCC-102 GN 1 October 2014 Disguise, and its Implications Throughout Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey we encounter a homecoming journey for a once beloved King of Ithaca. This king was Odysseus, a warrior, a leader of men, a father, and a husband. A man of many roles you can say, but arguably his most important, was played in disguise with the help of contributions from Athena, daughter of Zeus. Athena is portrayed in many roles and also many disguises, but most importantly