After escaping from Polyphemus's island, Ulysses and his crew found themselves at a giant bronze wall blocking the whole sea. After scouring the area for several hours, they finally found themselves at a giant gate. As they gaped at it, the gate suddenly swung open and a howling wind, along with the ship, was sucked into the other side of the wall. Ulysses and his crew became unconscious. Although they did not know it at the time, they had come to the island of Aeolus, the Keeper of the Winds.
Aeolus was a demigod, a son of Poseidon. He kept the north, west, east, and south winds prisoner in the mountain on his island. Whenever the Gods asked for a storm, Aeolus made a hole in the side the of the mountain that he wanted the wind to come out. For example, if he wanted the east wind, he would make a hole in the east side of the mountain. When he wanted the wind back, Aeolus whistled for the wind to come back, and the wind obediently returned to the mountain through the hole it had come out of.
When Ulysses and his crew awoke, they found themselves in the hospitality of Aeolus. Aeolus had prepared a banquet for the guests, and the ravenous sailors stuffed themselves. Aeolus liked to hear interesting tales, to Ulysses recounted his entire adventure, of the Trojan War, of his adventure in Lotusland, and about what had happened in Polyphemus's island. Aeolus was very pleased with these tales, so he offered a wish to Ulysses. Ulysses replied that the only thing he desired was to go back home and be reunited with his family and friends. Aeolus waid that he would send the west wind to blow Ulysses' ship to Ithaca, and also gave Ulysses a sack full with the north, east, and south winds to blow him if he was chased by enemies or held back by some adventure.
Ulysses and his crew sailed without rest for eight days and eight nights, with Ulysses guarding the sack of winds. During all this time, Ulysses did not sleep a wink. On the morning of the ninth day, Ithaca was in view. Reprieved of his stress, Ulysses finally dropped off to sleep. While he was sleeping, two mischievous sailors went up to the sack full of winds, and thinking that it was full of gold, slashed it open. The released winds caused havoc, and blew the ship back to Aeolus's island. When Ulysses explained what had happened, Aeolus realized that Ulysses had been cursed by the gods. Therefore, Aeolus told Ulysses to leave his island and never return. Wearily, Ulysses and his men left the island and again sailed onward to Ithaca.
Ulysses-Chapter 4: The Keeper of the Winds
After escaping from Polyphemus's island, Ulysses and his crew found themselves at a giant bronze wall blocking the whole sea. After scouring the area for several hours, they finally found themselves at a giant gate. As they gaped at it, the gate suddenly swung open and a howling wind, along with the ship, was sucked into the other side of the wall. Ulysses and his crew became unconscious. Although they did not know it at the time, they had come to the island of Aeolus, the Keeper of the Winds.
Aeolus was a demigod, a son of Poseidon. He kept the north, west, east, and south winds prisoner in the mountain on his island. Whenever the Gods asked for a storm, Aeolus made a hole in the side the of the mountain that he wanted the wind to come out. For example, if he wanted the east wind, he would make a hole in the east side of the mountain. When he wanted the wind back, Aeolus whistled for the wind to come back, and the wind obediently returned to the mountain through the hole it had come out of.
When Ulysses and his crew awoke, they found themselves in the hospitality of Aeolus. Aeolus had prepared a banquet for the guests, and the ravenous sailors stuffed themselves. Aeolus liked to hear interesting tales, to Ulysses recounted his entire adventure, of the Trojan War, of his adventure in Lotusland, and about what had happened in Polyphemus's island. Aeolus was very pleased with these tales, so he offered a wish to Ulysses. Ulysses replied that the only thing he desired was to go back home and be reunited with his family and friends. Aeolus waid that he would send the west wind to blow Ulysses' ship to Ithaca, and also gave Ulysses a sack full with the north, east, and south winds to blow him if he was chased by enemies or held back by some adventure.
Ulysses and his crew sailed without rest for eight days and eight nights, with Ulysses guarding the sack of winds. During all this time, Ulysses did not sleep a wink. On the morning of the ninth day, Ithaca was in view. Reprieved of his stress, Ulysses finally dropped off to sleep. While he was sleeping, two mischievous sailors went up to the sack full of winds, and thinking that it was full of gold, slashed it open. The released winds caused havoc, and blew the ship back to Aeolus's island. When Ulysses explained what had happened, Aeolus realized that Ulysses had been cursed by the gods. Therefore, Aeolus told Ulysses to leave his island and never return. Wearily, Ulysses and his men left the island and again sailed onward to Ithaca.