In the Odyssey, the prevalence of hospitality is constant and reoccurring. There was a prodigious amount of journeys being taken, and transportation was not a reliable source. If there were motels or hotels like modern day time, hospitality would not be as important to this society. During this time, travelers relied on hospitality; also known as Xenia. Xenia is explained to be an obligation to treat guests in a hospitable manner, and this idea was formed by the Greeks (Allen). Not only was Xenia sought out to be an obligation, but the Greeks believed that it would bring joy to the gods (Allen). Hosts are not showing proper Xenia from the kindness of their hearts; it was simply for the gods. Xenia was also useful for travelers like Odysseus, who was a foreigner in different territories, and he obtained protection and guidance from the different hosts he encountered with. The hosts and guests were to always have a level of respect for one another, but there were times this rule was broken which is seen the Odyssey. .
Reading through the Odyssey, there is a realization that Odysseus's purpose or fate is to wander, and he would always seem to be on a journey to find his way back home. After ten years of fighting against Troy, he and his men are on their journey to go back home but they arrive on an island where the Cyclops resides. The Cyclops, also known as Polyphemus, is son of Poseidon. This island is important and gives further insight on Xenia because Odysseus was under the impression that he and his men were going to be treated with hospitality, but the Cyclops had other plans. The Cyclops says, "You are ninny, or else you come from the other end of nowhere, telling me, mind the gods! We Cyclops care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus or all the gods in bliss; we have more force by far. I would not let you go fear of Zeus-you or your friends-unless I had a whim to (IX: 285-290) ".
