Righteous Kill

1459 Words3 Pages

Every story has a hero who demonstrates moral fiber, physical strength, and mental prowess to the fullest. This hero is often viewed as a perfect soul, incapable of making mistakes or committing an injustice toward another. Because the reader develops a strong sense of admiration for their hero, it is shocking when the storyteller reminds his audience that their champion is only human, and, like every human being, has a tragic character flaw. In the Odyssey, Odysseus’ flaw is commonly thought of as his unrelenting slaughter of the suitors in his house. When he finally returns home to Ithaca after years of hardship to find the wicked suitors in his household, he strings his bow and executes every one of them, despite their plea for mercy and their offer to repay everything they take and more. Although many view Odysseus’ rage as a departure from heroism, his actions are justified because the intruders in his household violate xenia, a custom that the Ancient Greeks hold in high esteem.

The Ancient Greeks believe in numerous concepts that the honorable man must live by, one of which is xenia. Xenia is the relationship between guest and host. The guest-host relationship is so significant to the Ancient Greek culture that Zeus, the king of gods, is its patron. In xenia, the host must always accept a stranger into his household if he needs a place to stay. After inviting the guest into his house, the host is obligated to offer the guest food and drink, as well as any other luxuries he might require. It is considered poor manners for the host to question his guest before he is provided for. But the responsibility does not only rest on the host; the guest must also honor xenia. The guest is obligated to respect the host...

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... suitors. Many misinterpret his heroism as injustice simply because it is a departure from the Greek heroism that the readers are used to seeing. Throughout his travels and his courageous efforts at Troy, Odysseus demonstrates traditional heroism while in pursuit of glory. When he slaughters the suitors, his actions are heroic because they are in accordance with the will of the gods. He enforces the will of Zeus, patron of xenia, when he sends the suitors to the realm of Hades for dishonoring what Zeus deems significant. Odysseus’ actions are not considered immoral because the gods are behind him. Anyone who disregards xenia incurs the wrath of Zeus, and the suitors are made to pay for their actions. The suitors begin to dig their own graves the moment they violate xenia and the will of Zeus.

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