Living in a large American city, we have no difficulty recognizing that people in need are everywhere around us. People ask for change on the subway so they can eat; people hold cardboard signs that read: "Everything helps." Throughout history, the less fortunate have always existed in society. It is not their presence that has changed, but rather our values ​​as members of society. Of all the people asking for some change or a token, how many do we pass by without thinking twice? Expectations as a society regarding how we view travelers and beggars have changed significantly over time. Xenia in ancient Greek terminology refers to the set of customs and values ​​that revolve around hospitality. The ancient Greeks deeply valued hospitality, often offering far more than the bare minimum to those in pain or need. However, Homer's Odyssey highlights the presence and importance of hospitality in ancient Greece by portraying it in contrasting ways. This theme is developed throughout the book. The instances of eminent hospitality and abuse/lack of hospitality are both significant to the development of the story's plot and the lessons it teaches. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the book, the suitors are introduced. These are men who lounge around causing chaos in Telemachus and Penelope's home, waiting for the day when she gives in and chooses to marry one of them. Their presence runs throughout the book until the end, when Odysseus returns to Ithaca and reclaims what was once his. Believing that Odysseus is truly dead, the suitors eat his food and drink his wine. They show no respect to his son or his wife, which pushes Telemachus to seek more information about his father's fate. He says, “If only the gods would give me the strength he has to take revenge on the suitors for their overbearing oppression” (56). The suitors abuse Telemachus' hospitality and invade his life, forcing him to pray for the gods to give him what he needs to fight back. Also at the beginning of the book, Telemachus meets Menelaus, who welcomes him with great hospitality and warmth?xenia. However, Telemachus must challenge this by demanding honesty regarding his father's fate. “Do not sweeten it because you pity me and are sorry for me, but tell me truthfully everything that your eyes have seen” (73). In a sense, this pits truth against tact. Hospitality and kindness are present, but must be set aside so that Telemachus can learn what he is going to learn. Another example of conflictual xenia occurs in the Odyssey when the traveler Ulysses meets the Phaeacians, a people who greatly appreciate hospitality. Odysseus first meets Nausikka, the Phaiakian princess. Although he is a naked, sea-tossed stranger, she says, "But, since this is a poor wanderer who has come to us, we must now take care of him, for all strangers and wanderers are sacred..." (107) she offers him clothes and a bath, then accompanies him to the palace, where he is offered food and drink before his identity is even questioned. The Phaeacians appreciate visitors and do not make guests feel unwanted. When they hear his story and learn his true identity, they take a liking to Odysseus and decide to help him return to Ithaca after showering him with gifts. This leads one to believe that Feachians are a welcoming and kind people. However, the Phaeacians' actions anger Poseidon, ruining their apparent hospitality. After bringing Odysseus back to Ithaca, Poseidon..