Odysseus

Xenia

In The Odyssey, an epic poem written by Homer, knowing when to be a hospitable hostess/ host based upon judgement rather than customs is a theme portrayed throughout. In ancient Greek culture, hospitality, in charge by Zeus, was one of the ground rules of ancient society. Hosts shall provide food and shelter while guests would bring news and stories from the outside world. Both sides would provide any available gifts to spare. The thought process behind this from the host/hostess perspective was paying it forward: someday, the same kindness shown, would be given back in one’s time of need.

King of Ithaca, Odysseus has left his homeland and has been unable to return home for twenty years due to obstacles preventing him from returning and the Trojan War lasting ten years. Throughout the 20 years he is away from Ithaca, unknown to be alive or not, Penelope, his wife must carry on with her son Telemachus. Through this, numerous amounts of suitors swarm to Penelope in seek of the throne. Penelope, through deception tricks the suitors, “She set up a great loom in her palace...Thereafter in the daytime she would weave at her great loom, but in the night she would have torches set by, and undo it.”(Homer 106). However., by tricking them she only allowed their stay to extend even longer causing her to further abide by the proper etiquette of hospitality in seek of displaying how dignified she is. “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 offer more than others can-I’d make you famous then in endless lands” (Homer, 351). In return to her following proper customs the visitors must not take advantage of the host, nonetheless the suitors continue to, disregarding everything. “Wine running like...rascals gorging themselves... no rational end in sight” (Homer, 106). All up until Telemachus finally expresses his anger