The SuitorsViews Of Odysseus In Homers The Odyssey

According to the Greeks, the suitors plot to kill Telemachus is not an acceptable part of the Greek culture. The Odyssey, written by Homer, tells the story of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who leaves for war and is constantly fighting with the gods in order to return home. Meanwhile, while he is gone, over 100 suitors fill his house, who all believe he is dead and wish to take his wife, Penelope, for themselves. After 20 years, Odysseus is finally able to return home, to find his country split between those loyal to him and those loyal to the suitors, and he must reorder his home and his kingdom. Throughout the story, a common theme of the importance of Xenia, or hospitality, to the Greeks appears many times, where it is either upheld or†¦show more content†¦The suitors, by laying with the maids, are also bringing chaos and destruction to Penelope’s house, disrespecting the hospitality she offers them and her as their possible future wife. Although the suitors and Ody sseus share the same views of disrespectfulness toward Penelope, their opinions on respect toward property varies greatly. The respect Odysseus has for property compared to the disrespect of the suitors shows one of the differences in their views of Xenia. Penelope shows the disrespect of the suitors when she says, â€Å"‘My house is being devoured, my rich farms destroyed, my palace crammed with enemies’† (Homer, 2006, p. 247). While the suitors are in Penelope’s house, they eat all of her food and do not care for her property, causing Penelope to become upset and state the previous phrase. By stating her house is being devoured, the suitors show their disrespect because they are not caring for her household, a major offence toward Xenia. This also shows that Penelope sees the suitors as enemies because they are not caring for her property and leaving her house in shambles, causing her to see their lack of respect and disobedience of Xenia. In addition, O dysseus respects the property of Eumaeus and expresses his gratitude because Eumaeus â€Å"stopped [his] †¦ homesick roving† (Homer, 2006, p. 386). Eumaeus serves as a host for Odysseus when he first returns to Ithaca and cannot return to his home until he can prepare to defeat the