Xenia And Hospitality In Homer's The Odyssey

One of the most prominent reoccurring themes in The Odyssey is the concept of xenia, in other words, the Greek tradition of showing hospitality to those who are far away from home, or even strangers, since he or she can easily be a god in disguise. In The Odyssey xenia is often the force that seals the fate of specific characters. It is used as a way to show the fear (or lack of fear) of the gods in the characters’ hearts. It is also often tied into the idea of temptation, by showing whether or not a character’s intentions are pure.

The Odyssey opens with Telemakhos and Penelope, tired of the suitors who have invaded their home. While Penelope and Telemakhos do not like the suitors, they are still fulfilling xenia by letting them stay and not telling them to leave directly. The reception of Penelope’s and Telemakhos’ hospitality is the beginning of the doomed fate of the suitors. Even though the suitors are shown hospitality, they continue to be uncontrollable and show no restraint despite being in someone else’s home. Even the suitors who are not exactly “evil” are still bound there due to their previous violations on

The people who fear the gods are generally very hospitable, for the traveller at their home could be a god in disguise. This can be seen as confusing, since the concept of xenia lies in the hospitality and relations between the guest and the host, yet it seems that most only show the kindness due to the fact that they do not want to face the wrath of the gods, or even because they want a blessing from the gods in return. All feasts first start with an offering to a god, and this automatically shows whether or not someone is fulfilling xenia or not. An example of very good hospitality is portrayed when Telemakhos goes on his journey with Athena (in disguise, of course) and finds himself in Nestor’s