The Value of Hospitality, The Odyssey by Homer, set in ancient Greece, has multiple important themes, which include hospitality or xenia, as the ancient Greeks would call it. It was believed that if either the host or the guest were to break any rule set by xenia, there would be severe punishments dealt by Zeus. With this in mind, this recurring theme is manifested often as Odysseus and Telemachus show up at the doorsteps of various hosts. For the most part, the difference between good and bad is clearly drawn in The Odyssey. Good people are hospitable; they hope for Odysseus' return and are kind to Odysseus when he is disguised as a beggar. However, immoral characters violate the code of hospitality. In other words, hospitality defines the lines of good and bad in The Odyssey.
First, Telemachus is mostly shown hospitality wherever he goes, which is why he mainly only comes across good characters. For instance, when he calls the meeting of the town of Ithaca, he is allowed to speak without any thought from the townspeople that it was not his place. Even when a wise old man asks who called the meeting and Telemachus stands up and says he did, everyone listens and accepts him as an equal (2. 94). A further illustration of Telemachus being received by good characters is when he goes to Menelaus, the King of Sparta's, house. When the king's companion in arms asks Menelaus if they are to receive Telemachus, he answers, "Just think of all the hospitality we enjoyed at the hands of other men before we made it home quick, unhitch their team. And bring them in, strangers, guests, to share our flowing feast" (4. 125-126). When Menelaus says this, Telemachus is once again given hospitality. Therefore this xenia by Menelaus shows that because of his hospitality towards his guest, Menelaus is defined as being good. Also, to point out, Telemachus is most likely given hospitality more freely by different characters on his short journey because the goddess Athenaprotects, guides, and serves Telemachus, thus, making other characters want to serve Telemachus as well. Lastly, due to fearing the wrath of the gods, Nestor, and his household also show Telemachus generous hospitality. This can be seen in how "As soon as they saw the strangers, all came crowding down, waving them on in welcoming, urging them to sit" (3. 108). Also, when Nestor and his household do this for Telemachus, they do not question him who he is until he is bathed, fed, and dressed. These illustrations show how that being hospitality towards Telemachus, Nestor, and his household are good characters and how xenia is again the line that defines the good and immoral.
Furthermore, since Odysseus does not have a goddess aiding him as his son does, the theme of hospitality is very crucial to him, because it shows Odysseus who is good or wicked. For example, because the Cyclopes, Polyphemus does not show hospitality to Odysseus, he represents total unruliness and does not seem to feel bound...
