Xenia in the Odyssey Journal Nov. 22

The Odyssey contains many examples of xenia. One clear example can be found on pg. 45. Telemachus arrives at Menelaus's palace and is treated with great respect. "They (Telemachus and Nestor's son) went into the polished tubs. When the maids had bathed them and rubbed them down with oil, and clothed them in tunics and fleecy cloaks, they sat down on chairs beside Menelaus. A maid poured water from a golden pitcher into a silver basin for them to wash their hands and then set up a polished table nearby. Another serving woman, grave and dignified, set out bread and served generous helpings from the other dishes she had; a carver set sown cuts of meat by the platter and golden cups; and a herald came by and poured them wine" (Odyssey 45). Menelaus gives many gifts to Telemachus as he is getting ready to leave. As one can see Menelaus treats his guests with great respect even before he knows why they have come. This partly because the Greeks believed that everyone should be treated with hospitality because you never know if a God or Goddess (in disguise) might come to your door. Greeks also showed xenia towards strangers, so that they could show off their wealth, or kingdom. Another example of xenia can be seen when Odysseus arrives at in the palace of Alcinous. "He (Alcinous) took the hand of Odysseus, the cunning hero, and raised him from the fireside and had him sit on a polished chair... A maid poured water from a golden pitcher into a silver basin for him to wash his hand and then set up a polished table nearby. Another serving woman, grave and dignified set out bred and generous helpings from the other dishes she had" (Odyssey 100). Both of these examples contain nearly the same sentences. (A maid poured...table nearby.) & (Another serving woman...dishes she had.) These similar sentences could have been put in the song to serve little reminders, or checkpoints for the singers. One can see that xenia in this book is all based around showing off one's wealth and status by serving fine foods, making the guests as comfortable as possible, and giving them gifts.