Examples Of Xenia In The Odyssey

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We Could Use Some Xenia Nowadays

Xenia is something this world desperately needs. xenia was the belief of hospitality and generosity was to be offered when a guest came to your home. Homer instills this belief all throughout The Odyssey, showing the significant value it held in Greek Society. In the modern world, hospitality is no longer seen as a common practice, but rather must be bought. We expect to be treated with hospitality when we go to a hotel, resort, or restaurant, but when we go to friends’ or families’ homes they fail to even offer a glass of water. Homer portrays xenia so prominently throughout The Odyssey that our modern day practices would be considered insanity compared to them.
Homer establishes just how deeply rooted …show more content…
The practice of xenia was expected of everyone - poor, rich, young, old, women, men, gods, and goddesses. This was never made more evident than when Odysseus returns to Ithaka posed as a traveled beggar seeking salvage from the humble swine herder. “‘Come inside, old man. Have some food and wine and tell me your story.’ The loyal swineherd led his guest in. He gave Odysseus his own bed to sit on. The king was delighted. ‘May Zeus give you what you desire for the welcome you have given me!’ he said. ‘Every stranger and beggar comes from Zeus,’ Eumaeus said. ‘I’ll kill a pig for your supper. It’s just a skinny one-slaves’ food.’.....” (Homer 65). Even though Eumaeus didn't have much to offer, he still gave as much as he could. Not only did he give Odysseus food, drink, and shelter, but he also asked to listen to his story. This shows a different type of hospitality, showing that not only was he willing to give up his worldly possessions, but also his emotional and mental presence. Many people today fail to truly care about people's life stories. We are selfish not only in possessions, but also our time and attention. Because while offering your own bed to a complete stranger is already exceeding modern kindness, it's a rare trait to posses and to be able to sit and listen to someone's story, while in modern times people are congratulated on said traits. Xenia was so instilled in the Greek society that it would be abnormal to not sit a discuss someone's life story over food and
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