Question

England, bound in with the triumphant sea Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege Of watery Neptune, is now bound in with shame, Neptune was the Roman god of the sea. Why does the author make an allusion to Neptune here? A. to highlight that England had previously withstood great threats B. to indicate that England had been overwhelmed by problems in the past C. to stress that England had a duty to protect other nations in the past D. to show that England had previously been driven by jealousy

Answer 1

The correct answer is A.

We can tell this because England's rocky shore has beaten back Neptune, the god of the sea -- meaning England has long survived an onslaught from a mighty foe.

By saying that England has survived the "siege of watery Neptune," Shakespeare is saying England has previously withstood great threats.