Analysis Of Xenia And The Odyssey - 889 Words

Your Name Your Professors Name Course Number †¨Date The Significance of Xenia in the Works of Homer: Hospitality in the Illiad and the Odyssey The concept of Xenia was extremely significant in ancient Greek culture. As such, it played a prominent role in the works of authors, most specifically Homer. In fact, some of the most significant information we have about the concept of Xenia, as it relates to cultural norms come from the work of Homer, and the examples of hospitality demonstrated in the protagonist’s journeys in the Iliad and the Odyssey. More specifically, Xenia is presented by Homer as a duty, or a cultural expectation in both works, which belong to a set of complex social rules and which is subject to a specific set of social demands. It is first, and foremost, essential to understand the Greek principle of Xenia and how it was tied in to Greek society during Homer’s era. Xenia literally means â€Å"guest-friendship† and is generally defined as generosity or courtesy extended to those who are far from home (Ware 1). This was a major concept in Greek culture, and was subject to a set of hospitality rituals and laws, they dictated how a host was to treat guests. This was defined by Homer, through Odysseus in the Odyssey, when he says: Come, friend, and give me something; for you seem to be no lowly man among the Greeks, but their most noble lord-indeed a chief. So you should offer more than others can-I’d make you famous then in endless lands. I, too, was onceShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1368 Words   |  6 PagesHolmes English H, period 3 11 November 2014 Hospitality: An analysis of xenia in The Odyssey William Shakespeare, in Timon Of Athens Act III Scene line 39 writes : I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide of knaves once more; my cook and I ll provide† Shakespeare is explaining to his readers that he will invite everyone in and he will cook for them meaning that he will provide everything to his guests. Similarly, in The Odyssey Odysseus without knowing it is providing for all the suitorsRead MoreHow Far Is Odysseus Motivated by Nostos?1245 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Odysseus is motivated only by his desire to return home (nostos).† How far do you agree with this view? In your answer you should: * Consider how Odysseus behaves on his journey home; * Include an analysis of his motives; * Support your answer with evidence from The Odyssey. On his journey home, Odysseus encounters many obstacles which he attempts to overcome swiftly so that he may arrive home as soon as possible; however, it can be argued that nostos is not his only motive throughout