Xenia In The Odyssey

690 Words2 Pages

Odysseus determined to return to the city of Troy which he had long ago voyaged away from experiences many different obstacles that impede him from returning to his beloved city. The main things that assist him to return to the city of Troy, is the grace of the Gods and the hospitality of hosts, or xenia, that help him arrive safely back in his fatherland, the city of Troy. The Odyssey reveals the importance of xenia in Greek culture through inhospitable hosts that try to set Odysseus off his course to Troy and the welcoming hosts that open their home to the travelers.

The inhospitable hosts determined to set Odysseus and his men off their course show the importance of xenia. They’re portrayed as disgraceful monsters or seductive women. …show more content…

Princess Nausicaa and Aiolus are portrayed as god-like and beautiful. Princess Nausicaa, given the heart of Athena, graciously accepts Odysseus and his men into her palace. “ ‘ Stranger, there is no quirk or evil in you that I can see. You know Zeus metes out fortune to good and bad men as it pleases him. Hardship he sent to you, and you must bear it. But now that you have taken refuge here you shall not lack for clothing, or any other comfort due to a poor man in distress.’ “ (Page 8). She is shown as a very caring host, welcoming Odysseus into her father’s hall. The courage she is given by Athena to help Odysseus proves the importance in greek culture of xenia, and the part the gods have in promoting it. Aiolus after giving Odysseus and his crew shelter for a month provides Odysseus with more help to insure his safe and quick trip back to Troy. “When in return I asked his leave to sail and asked provisioning, he stinted nothing, adding a bull’s hide sewn from neck to tail into a mighty bag, bottling storm winds.”( Page 14). Aiolus generously let Odysseus and his men stay at his palace for a month and gave him a bag of powerful winds to quickly return them home. Aiolus as a god himself, shows the importance of xenia and hospitality to wanderers in Greek culture. Hospitable hosts that open their homes to the lost travelers are depicted as

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Xenia In The Odyssey

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