of the house. But a twofold inference can be drawn. One is that in Ithaca/Greek culture hospitality has a moral standing. Another, which proceeds from it, is that violation of the rules of hospitality on the part of guests or hosts is a mark of justice and injustice. In this regard, Lattimore cites the "old Homeric xenia . . . one of the steps by which society progresses from savagery to civilization, when strangers make . . . agreement to be friends . . . includ[ing]. . . nonabuse of power against those over whom one has power" (Lattimore 3-4). This would explain why Penelope "neither declines the hated suit nor has she power to end it; while they with feasting impoverish my home and soon will bring me also to destruction" (Homer I.34). What Hamilton calls "high standards of hospitality" (169) in Greece forbid abuse or turning away of the suitors. According to Dilworth, Polyphemus "violates hospitality by eating six of his guests. His being blinded by Odysseus far from balances the giant's multiple homicide" (Dilworth 23).
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