ws him through the water and he, watchd his arms, and as they opened wide, at every stroke betwixt them would he slide, and steal a kiss, and then run out and dance (183-185). Neptune entreats Leader just as Leander entreats Hero. This comparison gives the reader an indication of what Marlowe may have been planning for the conclusion of the work. In the digression Neptune hurts himself out of love for Leander. It is possible that the poem would have ended in Leander hurting himself for the love of Hero. In the Hero & Leander digression, Leanders actions compare to the actions of Hero outside of the digression. Hero attempts to hold on to her chastity, in spite of the fact that she loved Leander. Hero pleads to Venus to help her maintain this chastity in spite of Leander but Cupid beats down her prayers with his wings; her vows above the empty air he flings (369-370). During the digression, Leander pleads to Thetis to help him escape the seduction of Neptune. That now should shine on Thetis glassy bower/O! that these tardy arms of mine were wings (203-205). Hero attempts to reject the advances of Leander just as Leander attempts to reject the advances of Neptune. The digressions in V&A and Hero & Leander have many similar characteristics. Both digressions are sexual in nature. In V&A, the digression describes the courtship of two horses. The digression in Hero & Leander describes Neptune's desire for Leander. Both digressions also have a component of anger. In V&A, Adonis so enraged at his horse for his lusty actions that he bans his boistrous and unruly beast (Shakespeare 26). Neptune, in Hero & Leander, becomes so enraged at Leanders rejection of him that he almost kills him. And in his heart revenging malice bare he flung at him his mace (Marlowe 208-209).Not only do the two digressions possess many similar characteristics, but also the reader can find many references to V&A in Marlowes Hero & Leander. In line 172 of Hero & Leander, ...
