Answer:
Poseidon is the speaker and we may infer he is furious and frustrated.
Explanation:
Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology, tries to prevent the hero Odysseus from returning home after the war in Troy. One of the reasons why Odysseus is disliked by Poseidon is the fact that he (Odysseus) does not fear the gods. Odysseus is, however, much liked by Athena, the goddess of wisdom, for his wit and character.
When Odysseus is successful and finally arrives back at Ithaca, his home, Poseidon is furious. The god turns the ship in which Odysseus sailed into a rock and kills those who helped him.
His rage and frustration are expressed in the excerpt we analyzed here:
<em>Shall then no more, O sire of gods! be mine The rights and honours of a power divine? Scorn'd e'en by man, and (oh severe disgrace!) By soft Phaeacians, my degenerate race! Against yon destined head in vain I swore, And menaced vengeance, ere he reach'd his shore; To reach his natal shore was thy decree; Mild I obey'd, for who shall war with thee? Behold him landed, careless and asleep, From all the eluded dangers of the deep; Lo where he lies, amidst a shining store Of brass, rich garments, and refulgent ore; And bears triumphant to his native isle A prize more worth than Ilion's noble spoil.</em>
