Photograph of Mirka Mora creatures at Heide taken by Carol O'Connor
This January I re-read Emily Wilson’s new translation of The
Odyssey. In her introduction, Wilson explains the action in terms of xenia,
Greek both for friendship and hospitality. Once someone has created
“guest-friendship” (xenia) by visiting their island or home then bonds of
safety, respect, and even alliance are in place. This reminded me of Mirka
Mora’s fabulous creatures. Actually there’s nothing ab fab about being eaten
alive by a Cyclops or shipwrecked by Sirens. Such islands are to be avoided,
because they lack xenia. Odysseus shacks up with a witch for a time, but he
weeps daily for home.
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