Question
In Book I of The Odyssey, Minerva appeals to Jove to help poor Ulysses. In no less than seventy-five
words, tell where Neptune is during this time and what his attitude is toward Ulysses. Explain why
and how Neptune becomes Ulysses's greatest, most dangerous enemy in Ulysses's attempts to go
home..
Answer
At the time of Minerva's appeal to Jove, Neptune is in his own realm, the sea. He is not particularly concerned with Ulysses, as he is unaware of the hero's plight. However, when Ulysses and his crew sail past the island of the Sirens, they are warned not to listen to the Sirens' song. Ulysses orders his crew to plug their ears with beeswax and tie him to the mast so he can listen without being tempted. This angers Neptune, who had not been consulted on the matter. He then becomes Ulysses's greatest enemy, sending storms and monsters to try to prevent Ulysses from returning home. He is determined to make Ulysses pay for his insolence.