The Role Of Xenia In Homer's Odyssey
The Value of Xenia on a Hero’s Journey A centralized idea in Ancient Greek society was the value of Xenia. Xenia was the Greek word for what we know as hospitality. Hospitality played a vital role in the way a person went about life and lived. In Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey, both Odysseus and his son Telemachus’ journey’s include frequent encounters of hospitality. Hospitality signifies the host and guest relationship. Honoring a guest was important to a host because it meant pleasing the Gods and Goddesses, establishing a notable reputation, and creating bonds with families and cities. Good hospitality was displayed with giving lavishing gifts that a guest would return home with and share stories of his stay with that host. Nevertheless,
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cases of unpleasant hospitality were rare, but did occur with Odysseus and Telemachus’ adventures. Alongside hospitality came the essential of storytelling with each of the character’s journey. Storytelling was not only a form of entertainment, but a way of communication between the guest and host. In many instances Telemachus hears stories as a guest while Odysseus tells stories to his hosts. Odysseus’s determination and Telemachus’ maturation reunite father and son from their journeys that were influenced by hospitality and storytelling. In most cases, Telemachus is seen as a guest but with his father’s absence he must exemplify being a noble host in their halls. The goddess Athena plays the role of a protector over Odysseus with his journey home. She also provides guidance for Telemachus as he begins his transition. Athena appears in disguise as Mentees who is an old friend of Odysseus. She is welcomed as a guest who gives the driven advice that Telemachus needs.
Telemachus greets this old friend of his fathers by seating the guest in a high chair of honor, provides an astounding feast, and washing the guest’s hands with the golden pitcher. Once they feast they would then move onto the traditional questions asked. Where do you come from or what is the purpose of your travels? Athena convinces Telemachus to set off on a journey to Pylos and Sparta. Telemachus’ passage will gather the news about his father’s condition and location, or whether Odysseus is still alive. The purpose for Telemachus’ journey would be to initiate the transition from a boy to a man. Telemachus greatly thanks the guest for the advice. Telemachus persists his guest to stay longer and offers desirable gifts, just as any good host would do. “But come, stay longer, keen as you are to sail, so you can bathe and rest and lift your spirits, then go back to your ship, delighted with a gift, a prize of honor, something rare and fine as a keepsake from myself. The kind of gift a host will give a stranger, friend to friend” (Book 1, 355-360). The quote signifies the friendly relationship that a guest and host establish. By Telemachus offering gifts he hopes to keep the reputable name of his father’s land and draw recognition from the Gods to bring Odysseus
home. As Telemachus sets off on his journey, he transforms from a host to a guest. Telemachus arrives in Sparta with King Nestor’s son Pisistratus. They go to King Menelaus’s palace with anticipation of news about Odysseus. Upon arriving at the palace, there are celebrations of weddings taking place, but that does not stop the king from welcoming these two strangers into his halls. At first, the servant of Menelaus is unsure of taking these men in and asks King Menelaus. The king is outraged by such a conception. King Menelaus utilizes the sacred code of xenia in his halls as a host. He supplies the best care to them with baths, rubbed down with oils, warm fleeces and robes. King Menelaus values his guests without even knowing the identity of Telemachus or coming from such an eminent family background. “Quick, unhitch their team. And bring them in, strangers, guests, to share our flowing feast.”(Book 4, 41-42). Menelaus’s eager response to strangers staggering into his halls brings upon much cordiality. His behavior is acquired from past experiences of his own traveling. You learn invaluable lessons of hospitality from your hosts. With Telemachus at King Menelaus’s palace, he begins to obtain a self-discovery of himself. Telemachus realizes his strength to take down the suitors in order to protect his mother and defend his halls. Besides good hospitality of King Menelaus, he also tells Telemachus alluring stories. He expresses his admiration for Odysseus and the stories of the Trojan horse. These stories are told to Telemachus so in upcoming times he remembers his stay with King Menelaus and the xenia that was presented. Telemachus is not the only character to encounter such benevolent hospitality, but Odysseus as well on his journey.
Captured on the island of Ogygia for several years, Odysseus is a guest of the lovely braided nymph Calypso. Calypso detained hero Odysseus after his shipwreck from his previous wanderings at the Fall of Troy. The lustrous goddesses is an example of exceptional hospitality. She uses the power of temptation on Odysseus to withhold Odysseus’s contemplations of getting home. All of Odysseus’s needs are fulfilled as a guest under Calypso’s great power. It becomes a question of does Odysseus remain loyal to his wife Penelope without dishonoring the guest and host relationship? “And I welcomed him warmly, cherished him, even vowed to make the man immortal, ageless, all his days…” (Book 5, 150-151). Calypso loved Odysseus and would do everything in her possession to keep him on her island. As a guest, Odysseus does refuse to Calypso’s offerings of immortality to remain loyal to his family and land. Even with Odysseus’s rejection to Calypso’s proposition, she still shows admirable hospitality to him. Before he heads off on his voyage home, Calypso helps him prepare. The goddess bathes him and decks him out in aromatic clothes. She sends him off with wines and meats on a ship she supplied him with to build. Even though Calypso uses temptation on Odysseus, her best intentions were revealed by her compassionate hospitality.
Not all the guest and host relationships was promising however. Many Greeks expected hospitality from a host. Many of the hosts believed that hospitality was a test sent by the gods. Breaking xenia could lead to the wrath of the gods. Since hosts had no way of knowing who their visitors were, they treated anyone just like a god. However, this principle did not appear to be the case in Polyphemus’s cave. He simply did not follow the rules of Greek hospitality or fear the gods. The Cyclops father was Poseidon god of the sea, and he relied on him for his protection. So when Odysseus stumbles across the Cyclops home, he automatically expects gratifying hospitality. With the Cyclops nowhere to be found, Odysseus and his men help themselves to food and shelter awaiting for their host. “But since we’ve chanced on you, we’re at your knees in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest-gift, the sort that hosts give strangers. That’s the custom” (Book 9, 300-302). The Cyclops is amused by such requests for a gift and instead devours two of Odysseus’s men. The Cyclops is a host who violates xenia and does not fear any of the probable consequences. With such ignorant behavior of the Cyclops, Odysseus blinds the giant and takes off. Odysseus will never fail to forget the lack of hospitality at Polyphemus’s cave.
As a guest you are to abide by the rules of xenia and present courteous behavior to your host. Arriving at the palace of King Alcinous, Odysseus enters and kneels before Queen Arête.
With Odysseus at his knees, he declares all the suffering he has faced in his passage to get back home. With the Phaeacians witnessing this deed, they certainly admire the guest’s behavior. Noble King Alcinous has no recognition of who Odysseus is at first, but he rises him up onto his feet and supplies him with supper. “And I will give him this gorgeous golden cup of mine, so he’ll remember Alcinous all his days to come when he pours libations out in his own house to Father Zeus and the other gods on high”(Book 8, 480-484). The king puts Odysseus’s desires before his own without seeking any inquiries of who he is. Alcinous presents all these extraordinary gifts for the hero once he comes to distinguish his true identity. As soon as Odysseus’s identity is revealed by his storytelling the king and Phaeacians feel overwhelmed with such an honor of hosting him. With Odysseus at King Alcinous’ palace he is able to discover the urge of motivation that is needed to get back home. Odysseus learns the inner strength in himself, just like his son Telemachus did with his journey. Alcinous is happy to accommodate Odysseus on his way home with a ship and crew. Odysseus blesses the Phaeacians and King Alcinous for all their kindness and wishes all sorts of good fortunes from the gods for them. With the right help from Alcinous, Odysseus is determined to make it home to his land and make his return as a hero.
It was a conception that people who failed to follow xenia, would be punished by the Gods. This idea was illustrated with the abusive hospitality of the suitors. The suitors were perceived as unlawful guests who courted Odysseus’s wife Penelope while he was away. Many of the suitors anticipated taking Penelope’s hand in marriage and claiming the throne. Telemachus was insulted by such behavior of allegedly guests and their etiquette in his father’s halls. “Not they-they infest our palace day and night, they butcher out cattle, our sheep, our fat goats and feasting themselves sick, swilling our glowing wine as if there’s no tomorrow-all of it, squandered” (Book 2, 59-62). The suitors, who are supposedly representing the fine men of Ithaca, act as a disgrace and consume all the wealth of Odysseus. Telemachus, the speaker of the quote, does not have the courage in him to stand up to the suitors. Upon his return home after his adventure, he develops a greater self confidence in wanting to take down the suitors. Telemachus’ journey has produced him to mature, and he now has stronger desires to defend his family and home. When Telemachus is aware of his father’s return home, it is then that father and son reunite to take down the suitors. Telemachus comes to realize the great warrior inside of him just like his father. Hero Odysseus completes his journey with his return home and execution of the suitors. The ruthless hospitality exhibited by the suitors caused a mass slaughter led by Odysseus and Telemachus. The concept of breaking xenia in this case, did result in punishment from the gods.
Hospitality revealed in the Odyssey has undergone a complete transformation compared to today’s world. In society today, a person only offers hospitality to friends and acquaintances we know of. We do not open our homes up to the homeless or strangers because that is not safe or of the norm. We do want to represent being a good host so a guest will remember the genial treatment they received just like in Ancient Greek society. To work towards the common good Greeks would supply any guest with the best foods and gifts. In return, they would hope to receive good fortunes from the Gods. Many sought to earn a noble reputation for their hospitality. Telemachus and Odysseus’s travels express the various forms of hospitality with each of their stays. In each man’s journey, he perceives the self-growth and inner hero that lies within him.
Works Cited:
Fagles, Robert. The Odyssey. New York: Viking, 1996. Print.
cases of unpleasant hospitality were rare, but did occur with Odysseus and Telemachus’ adventures. Alongside hospitality came the essential of storytelling with each of the character’s journey. Storytelling was not only a form of entertainment, but a way of communication between the guest and host. In many instances Telemachus hears stories as a guest while Odysseus tells stories to his hosts. Odysseus’s determination and Telemachus’ maturation reunite father and son from their journeys that were influenced by hospitality and storytelling. In most cases, Telemachus is seen as a guest but with his father’s absence he must exemplify being a noble host in their halls. The goddess Athena plays the role of a protector over Odysseus with his journey home. She also provides guidance for Telemachus as he begins his transition. Athena appears in disguise as Mentees who is an old friend of Odysseus. She is welcomed as a guest who gives the driven advice that Telemachus needs.
Telemachus greets this old friend of his fathers by seating the guest in a high chair of honor, provides an astounding feast, and washing the guest’s hands with the golden pitcher. Once they feast they would then move onto the traditional questions asked. Where do you come from or what is the purpose of your travels? Athena convinces Telemachus to set off on a journey to Pylos and Sparta. Telemachus’ passage will gather the news about his father’s condition and location, or whether Odysseus is still alive. The purpose for Telemachus’ journey would be to initiate the transition from a boy to a man. Telemachus greatly thanks the guest for the advice. Telemachus persists his guest to stay longer and offers desirable gifts, just as any good host would do. “But come, stay longer, keen as you are to sail, so you can bathe and rest and lift your spirits, then go back to your ship, delighted with a gift, a prize of honor, something rare and fine as a keepsake from myself. The kind of gift a host will give a stranger, friend to friend” (Book 1, 355-360). The quote signifies the friendly relationship that a guest and host establish. By Telemachus offering gifts he hopes to keep the reputable name of his father’s land and draw recognition from the Gods to bring Odysseus
home. As Telemachus sets off on his journey, he transforms from a host to a guest. Telemachus arrives in Sparta with King Nestor’s son Pisistratus. They go to King Menelaus’s palace with anticipation of news about Odysseus. Upon arriving at the palace, there are celebrations of weddings taking place, but that does not stop the king from welcoming these two strangers into his halls. At first, the servant of Menelaus is unsure of taking these men in and asks King Menelaus. The king is outraged by such a conception. King Menelaus utilizes the sacred code of xenia in his halls as a host. He supplies the best care to them with baths, rubbed down with oils, warm fleeces and robes. King Menelaus values his guests without even knowing the identity of Telemachus or coming from such an eminent family background. “Quick, unhitch their team. And bring them in, strangers, guests, to share our flowing feast.”(Book 4, 41-42). Menelaus’s eager response to strangers staggering into his halls brings upon much cordiality. His behavior is acquired from past experiences of his own traveling. You learn invaluable lessons of hospitality from your hosts. With Telemachus at King Menelaus’s palace, he begins to obtain a self-discovery of himself. Telemachus realizes his strength to take down the suitors in order to protect his mother and defend his halls. Besides good hospitality of King Menelaus, he also tells Telemachus alluring stories. He expresses his admiration for Odysseus and the stories of the Trojan horse. These stories are told to Telemachus so in upcoming times he remembers his stay with King Menelaus and the xenia that was presented. Telemachus is not the only character to encounter such benevolent hospitality, but Odysseus as well on his journey.
Captured on the island of Ogygia for several years, Odysseus is a guest of the lovely braided nymph Calypso. Calypso detained hero Odysseus after his shipwreck from his previous wanderings at the Fall of Troy. The lustrous goddesses is an example of exceptional hospitality. She uses the power of temptation on Odysseus to withhold Odysseus’s contemplations of getting home. All of Odysseus’s needs are fulfilled as a guest under Calypso’s great power. It becomes a question of does Odysseus remain loyal to his wife Penelope without dishonoring the guest and host relationship? “And I welcomed him warmly, cherished him, even vowed to make the man immortal, ageless, all his days…” (Book 5, 150-151). Calypso loved Odysseus and would do everything in her possession to keep him on her island. As a guest, Odysseus does refuse to Calypso’s offerings of immortality to remain loyal to his family and land. Even with Odysseus’s rejection to Calypso’s proposition, she still shows admirable hospitality to him. Before he heads off on his voyage home, Calypso helps him prepare. The goddess bathes him and decks him out in aromatic clothes. She sends him off with wines and meats on a ship she supplied him with to build. Even though Calypso uses temptation on Odysseus, her best intentions were revealed by her compassionate hospitality.
Not all the guest and host relationships was promising however. Many Greeks expected hospitality from a host. Many of the hosts believed that hospitality was a test sent by the gods. Breaking xenia could lead to the wrath of the gods. Since hosts had no way of knowing who their visitors were, they treated anyone just like a god. However, this principle did not appear to be the case in Polyphemus’s cave. He simply did not follow the rules of Greek hospitality or fear the gods. The Cyclops father was Poseidon god of the sea, and he relied on him for his protection. So when Odysseus stumbles across the Cyclops home, he automatically expects gratifying hospitality. With the Cyclops nowhere to be found, Odysseus and his men help themselves to food and shelter awaiting for their host. “But since we’ve chanced on you, we’re at your knees in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest-gift, the sort that hosts give strangers. That’s the custom” (Book 9, 300-302). The Cyclops is amused by such requests for a gift and instead devours two of Odysseus’s men. The Cyclops is a host who violates xenia and does not fear any of the probable consequences. With such ignorant behavior of the Cyclops, Odysseus blinds the giant and takes off. Odysseus will never fail to forget the lack of hospitality at Polyphemus’s cave.
As a guest you are to abide by the rules of xenia and present courteous behavior to your host. Arriving at the palace of King Alcinous, Odysseus enters and kneels before Queen Arête.
With Odysseus at his knees, he declares all the suffering he has faced in his passage to get back home. With the Phaeacians witnessing this deed, they certainly admire the guest’s behavior. Noble King Alcinous has no recognition of who Odysseus is at first, but he rises him up onto his feet and supplies him with supper. “And I will give him this gorgeous golden cup of mine, so he’ll remember Alcinous all his days to come when he pours libations out in his own house to Father Zeus and the other gods on high”(Book 8, 480-484). The king puts Odysseus’s desires before his own without seeking any inquiries of who he is. Alcinous presents all these extraordinary gifts for the hero once he comes to distinguish his true identity. As soon as Odysseus’s identity is revealed by his storytelling the king and Phaeacians feel overwhelmed with such an honor of hosting him. With Odysseus at King Alcinous’ palace he is able to discover the urge of motivation that is needed to get back home. Odysseus learns the inner strength in himself, just like his son Telemachus did with his journey. Alcinous is happy to accommodate Odysseus on his way home with a ship and crew. Odysseus blesses the Phaeacians and King Alcinous for all their kindness and wishes all sorts of good fortunes from the gods for them. With the right help from Alcinous, Odysseus is determined to make it home to his land and make his return as a hero.
It was a conception that people who failed to follow xenia, would be punished by the Gods. This idea was illustrated with the abusive hospitality of the suitors. The suitors were perceived as unlawful guests who courted Odysseus’s wife Penelope while he was away. Many of the suitors anticipated taking Penelope’s hand in marriage and claiming the throne. Telemachus was insulted by such behavior of allegedly guests and their etiquette in his father’s halls. “Not they-they infest our palace day and night, they butcher out cattle, our sheep, our fat goats and feasting themselves sick, swilling our glowing wine as if there’s no tomorrow-all of it, squandered” (Book 2, 59-62). The suitors, who are supposedly representing the fine men of Ithaca, act as a disgrace and consume all the wealth of Odysseus. Telemachus, the speaker of the quote, does not have the courage in him to stand up to the suitors. Upon his return home after his adventure, he develops a greater self confidence in wanting to take down the suitors. Telemachus’ journey has produced him to mature, and he now has stronger desires to defend his family and home. When Telemachus is aware of his father’s return home, it is then that father and son reunite to take down the suitors. Telemachus comes to realize the great warrior inside of him just like his father. Hero Odysseus completes his journey with his return home and execution of the suitors. The ruthless hospitality exhibited by the suitors caused a mass slaughter led by Odysseus and Telemachus. The concept of breaking xenia in this case, did result in punishment from the gods.
Hospitality revealed in the Odyssey has undergone a complete transformation compared to today’s world. In society today, a person only offers hospitality to friends and acquaintances we know of. We do not open our homes up to the homeless or strangers because that is not safe or of the norm. We do want to represent being a good host so a guest will remember the genial treatment they received just like in Ancient Greek society. To work towards the common good Greeks would supply any guest with the best foods and gifts. In return, they would hope to receive good fortunes from the Gods. Many sought to earn a noble reputation for their hospitality. Telemachus and Odysseus’s travels express the various forms of hospitality with each of their stays. In each man’s journey, he perceives the self-growth and inner hero that lies within him.
Works Cited:
Fagles, Robert. The Odyssey. New York: Viking, 1996. Print.