Why did Aeolus help Odysseus?
Also, why did Aeolus give Odysseus a bag of wind?
Aeolus, king of the winds, gives Odysseus the bag of winds to help him return to Ithaca. Odysseus pleads with Aeolus for another bag of winds, but the king refuses, because he believes Odysseus and his men must be cursed by the gods. Aeolus is not punished; Odysseus and his men are punished for their imprudence.
Similarly, you may ask, why does Aeolus refuse to help Odysseus a second time?
In the book, 'Oddyse: Homer, king Aeolus helped Odysseus by giving him a treasure bag which contains the winds of the sea. Odysseus went back to king Aeolus for help but the king refused to help him because he believed that he is cursed and the gods are angry with him [due to the failure of the first voyage].
AIOLOS (Aeolus) was the divine keeper of the winds and king of the mythical, floating island of Aiolia (Aeolia). He kept the violent Storm-Winds locked safely away inside the cavernous interior of his isle, releasing them only at the command of greatest gods to wreak devastation upon the world.