Gifts in the Odyssey Everyone loves receiving gifts. For some it makes them feel special or important. In the Odyssey, giving gifts can be seen as a sign of respect. Xenia, an important aspect of Homeric society, can be described as the host-guest relationship. It was important in Homeric society because it was something that could make or break the relationship you have with someone. Throughout the Odyssey, Xenia influences those with whom Odysseus comes into contact, influencing the plot of the story. Focusing on the theme of gifts and gift-giving throughout the Odyssey, I will support Odysseus's claim that gift-giving was linked to respect with three specific examples. The host-guest relationship is discovered in several places in the Odyssey. The interactions that Telemachus and Odysseus have with their hosts help us understand what xenia is and what we should expect. Each event shares elements of hospitality in common. They had in common such things as the ability to bathe, the feast, the question of who the host was, a gift for the host, and the guarantee of transportation and protection. Donation and respect in Homeric society allow for peace between neighboring ancient Greek city-states. If you show respect to a traveler when you or if you ever go to his house, you will expect the same treatment you once gave him. The first example demonstrating the host-guest relationship is when Telemachus arrives at King Nestor's palace. Telemachus arrives in Plios while Nestor is celebrating. He is welcomed by them and joins the party. King Nestor gives him the excellent treatment we would expect. Nestor says “Now is the time, now that they have enjoyed the meal, ... middle of paper ... walk away in hopes of receiving some kind of gift. However, Polyphemus, coming from a degenerate society, is not used to these customs. I believe that since the host-guest relationship was not present here, the relationship between this and respect was not there either. The signs of xenia in general in the Odyssey helped me understand who the protagonists were and who the antagonists were in the story. Those who were considered worthy of respect immediately took Odysseus or his son Telemachus into their homes and fed them. None of the story's antagonists showed any form of respect towards Odysseus. Those in ancient Greek society who belonged to the highest social class offered the best food and the most expensive farewell gifts. Offering good hospitality was an important thing in ancient Greece because they did it to please the gods; they never know when they were in the presence of the gods.