The Greek Concept Of Xenia In The Odyssey

The Greek concept of Xenia refers to hospitality and the positive relationship created by the exchange of courtesy between a guest and host. Xenia is a custom that is traditionally followed by the Greeks, and is used as a symbol of generosity and amenity. This theme is prevalent in The Odyssey and is established as a crucial asset when recognized and observed. The Odyssey, being an epic, recounts the heroic deeds of Odysseus in a conventionally vast space and time period. Within this period, the continuity between the natural and supernatural worlds is emphasized in a way that allows the reader to understand that sacrifice comes with reward. Throughout this journey, Odysseus faces supernatural foes however also receives supernatural assistance

Characters that continuously practice Xenia are rewarded with protection by the gods as a result of their sacrifice and respect. Resultantly, when divine supernatural forces, like goddess Athene, help characters in the epic, like Odysseus, a sense of goodness and morality outline the character. In The Odyssey, Xenia evokes the positive recognition of characters by the gods which ultimately proves their righteousness and good-will. An example of this can be noticed during the invocation of the muse in Book I. At sight, Telemachus immediately welcomed Athene to his “hospitality” (Homer 28) and insisted on feeding her before she explained her visit. He also “took her spear and put it away” (Homer 28), “conducted her to a carved chair, over which he spread a rug, and seated he there with a stool for her feet.” (Homer 28) This is an admirable practice of host to guest Xenia and oblivious theoxenia. This example shows how respectful and generous Telemachus acts towards people regardless of their backgrounds. Furthermore, the descriptions of the way he treats Athene, especially the emphasis on the carved chair and the stool for her feet, accentuates his moral character. He seeks the best for the guest that has seeked hospitality which shows his good-will. The result of this behaviour towards the goddess left him “full of spirit and daring” (Homer

Throughout the epic, the Suitors were taking advantage of the absence of Odysseus and violating the principles of Xenia. They disturbed the peace of Telemachus and Penelope and didn’t show gratitude to their generous hosts. Therefore the guest-host relationship was one that was negative and one can assume from these descriptions that the Suitors were people without good morals. The Suitors didn’t care much of the hosts and always “turned their thoughts to other pleasures” (Homer 29) once they received what they desired. They also left Telemachus “disconsolate” (Homer 28) among them, proving that they were an inconvenience to the host. However as a result of their unjust actions, they receive their karma at the end when Odysseus decimated them all. At this climactic scene in Book XXII, “the indomitable Odysseus leapt onto the great threshold with his bow and his full quiver” (Homer 328). Odysseus’ bow acts as a symbol of man versus god (an allegorical element), which gives the underlying meaning that the Suitors were facing their consequences from the gods that decide their fate above. Their actions in the past lead them to their fate in the future, a clearly foreseeable one that was foreshadowed since the hero is often return in victory in the general epic. Moreover, the deaths of the suitors were justified because they