The concept of Xenia in Homer's Odyssey The concept of "xenia", described in Homer's Odyssey as the guest-host relationship played a dominant part in ancient Greece. According to what they believed, the guest-host relationship was based on the idea that courtesy would be reciprocal from host and guest. The different ways that Telemachos and Odysseus are treated throughout their journeys displays the positive and negative types of xenia. The Odyssey begins 20 years after Odysseus has left ... Ithaca. Ten of those years he spent fighting in the Trojan War. The remaining years he attempts to go ...

• Word Count: 667
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In The Odyssey the poet Homer explores the theme of a civilized society and hospitality or xenia through many of the adventures and characters that Odysseus encounters on his journey home. One such event that illustrates this theme occurs when Odysseus lands on the island of the one eyed Cyclops, Polyphemus. The Cyclops has no concern or care for the rules of a civilized society. Instead he is very inhospitable towards his visitors without offering ... that he is. The encounter of the Cyclops, Polyphemus, creates a conflict during the journey home of Odysseus that he must resolve. Homer, narr...

• Word Count: 1042
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... no avail. They clearly have no respect for Odysseus, and no fear of him either, as once they are told of Odysseus' survival they are not impacted whatsoever and simply continue their destruction and ignorance. (Odyssey 2. P.19-21). The suitors act as a contrast to Odysseus, as he is everything they are not. He practices proper Xenia (the proper housing of a guest) whereas they disrespect his home ... . Penelope holds Odysseus in a much higher regard than she holds the suitors. She is biding as much time as ... she can to give Odysseus time to come home, while resisting the ... ...

• Word Count: 904
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... values affected the perception of The Odyssey to the people listening to Homer. The values that people in Homer's audiences had were somewhat different than the ones that we have, which would cause the different perceptions. One of the huge values that people's lives revolved around was the idea of war and military power. This is conveyed when the army of Odysseus invades the Ciconies and kills every male in the village and enslaves the women ... would seem horribly unnecessary, but in ancient society, it wouldn't seem like a big issue. Another major value that the Greek people cherishe...

• Word Count: 641
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School