Role of Xenia Hospitality in Iliad and Odyssey: Similarities and Differences (Essay Sample)

According to the Greek culture, Xenia is an ancient concept of friendship and hospitality. The ancient culture translates Xenia as an aspect of institutionalized friendship rooted in exchanging gifts, acts of generosity, and reciprocity. Iliad and Odyssey books portray the theme of Xenia throughout the journeys. Acts of generosity were essential to both strangers and travelers because it was believed to have been sent by God. This paper will argue similarities in how hospitality is a mandatory element within the society, how the acts of hospitality are influenced by Gods and its revelation of good and bad features of the characters. In addition, it will give a contrast in how characters experience Xenia and the results of disobeying hospitality in both books.
Similarities
In both books, Xenia hospitality is mandatory, and everyone is obligated to show respect to strangers and travelers. Hospitality was associated with gods' acts and punished whoever acted contrary. In the book of the Iliad, the Achaeans respected the virtue, and the Trojan war is believed to result from violating Xenia. When Zeus and Achilles fought, there was a violent encounter, friendship, and Xenia was being broken; hence if the act was not stopped, the evil actions of the Trojan were not to be put aside (Pope, 86). Violation of Xenia resulted in the suffering and loss of many souls. In the Odyssey, Phaeacians reflected their hospitality nature. They agreed to take Odysseus home; the brides welcomed and bathed him. In the Odyssey, Telemachus shows the acts of Xenia when he welcomes Athena (Homer, 335). Athena was seated with other suitors having his dad in mind while nursing their sorrows when he approached and welcomed her to his home and gave her food.
Differences
Disobeying Xenia was expressed differently in the books. In the Iliad, disobeying Xenia would result in a Trojan war. Instances of the Trojan war are witnessed in the journey. When Paris kidnaps Helen, conflicts arise, and war is spurred to rescue the princess. When Chryses came to Agamemnon searching for her daughter, he was sent back rudely (Pope, 92). He then prays for Apollo, who angrily punished them by sending a plague; this later caused a Trojan war. In the Odyssey, individuals who disobeyed Xenia were killed for their foolish behaviors.