“Ulysses” is a dramatic monologue written by Alfred Lord Tennyson in 1833 and published in 1842. The poem is inspired by the character of Ulysses (Odysseus in Greek mythology) from Homer’s Odyssey and Dante’s Inferno. It reflects the inner thoughts of Ulysses as he contemplates his dissatisfaction with a mundane life and his yearning for one last adventure. The poem is deeply personal to Tennyson, who wrote it in memory of his close friend, Arthur Hallam, who had passed away.
Tennyson presents Ulysses as a restless adventurer who finds no joy in ruling Ithaca. Instead, he longs for the excitement of discovery, exploration, and heroic endeavours. The poem embodies the theme of the unquenchable human spirit and the desire to seek new experiences despite the limitations of age.
Poem:
Ulysses
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Match’d with an aged wife, I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees: All times I have enjoy’d
Greatly, have suffer’d greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when
Thro’ scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vext the dim sea: I am become a name;
For always roaming with a hungry heart
Much have I seen and known; cities of men
And manners, climates, councils, governments,
Myself not least, but honour’d of them all;
And drunk delight of battle with my peers,
Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.
I am a part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’
Gleams that untravell’d world whose margin fades
For ever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!
As tho’ to breathe were life! Life piled on life
Were all too little, and of one to me
Little remains: but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it were
For some three suns to store and hoard myself,
And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
This is my son, mine own Telemachus,To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,—
Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfil
This labour, by slow prudence to make mild
A rugged people, and thro’ soft degrees
Subdue them to the useful and the good.
Most blameless is he, centred in the sphere
Of common duties, decent not to fail
In offices of tenderness, and pay
Meet adoration to my household gods,
When I am gone. He works his work, I mine.
There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail:There gloom the dark, broad seas. My mariners,
Souls that have toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me—
That ever with a frolic welcome took
The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;
Death closes all: but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.
The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
‘T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Summary of “Ulysses”
The poem unfolds in three major sections, presenting Ulysses’ thoughts as he reflects on his past, his present circumstances, and his plans for the future.
1. Ulysses’ Discontent with His Present Life
The poem begins with Ulysses expressing his dissatisfaction with his current life as the king of Ithaca. He finds it dull and uninspiring to stay at home, governing people who do not understand him. He sees himself as a warrior and an adventurer, not a ruler.
“It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,”
These lines indicate that Ulysses feels confined and unfulfilled in his domestic life. He believes that merely existing is not truly living. He longs to be out at sea, embracing new challenges instead of passively waiting for death.
2. Ulysses’ Reflection on His Past Adventures
Ulysses reminisces about his past journeys and battles. He recalls the great experiences he has had, sailing to distant lands, fighting in wars, and earning fame. He describes himself as a man who has seen much of the world and has been shaped by countless experiences.
“I am a part of all that I have met;”
This line suggests that every adventure and encounter has become a part of him. However, he also acknowledges that the more he has learned, the more he realizes how much remains undiscovered.
“Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough
Gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades
Forever and forever when I move.”
Ulysses views life as a journey of endless discovery. He believes that there is always something new to seek, and stopping would mean stagnation.
3. Telemachus’ Role and Ulysses’ Final Resolution
In the next section, Ulysses acknowledges his son, Telemachus, who will take over the responsibilities of ruling Ithaca. Unlike Ulysses, Telemachus is content with a steady life and is well-suited to govern. Ulysses praises his son’s patience, discipline, and dedication, yet he also acknowledges that Telemachus lacks his adventurous spirit.
“He works his work, I mine.”
This line shows Ulysses’ acceptance that his son is different and capable of ruling in his way. With this realization, Ulysses prepares to leave Ithaca behind and embark on a final journey.
4. The Call to Adventure – A Last Voyage
As the poem reaches its climax, Ulysses imagines the sea calling out to him. He turns to his old comrades, and his fellow mariners, and encourages them to set sail once more. He acknowledges that they are old, but he believes that they still possess the strength and courage to achieve something great.
“Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;”
These lines reflect the poem’s central theme – the persistence of the human will. Ulysses understands that he and his men are no longer young, but their spirits remain unbroken. They may not be as strong as they once were, but they can still strive for greatness.
The poem ends with Ulysses’ famous resolution:
“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
This line serves as a powerful declaration of his undying thirst for adventure. He refuses to give in to old age and passively awaits death. Instead, he chooses to keep exploring, discovering, and pushing forward until the very end.
Analysis of “Ulysses”
1. Themes in the Poem
- Restlessness and the Desire for Adventure:
Ulysses is portrayed as a man who cannot remain idle. His desire for adventure reflects the eternal human quest for knowledge and experience. - The Contrast Between Youth and Old Age:
Ulysses acknowledges his ageing body but refuses to let it define him. The poem suggests that age does not diminish one’s purpose or ambition. - The Meaning of Life and Mortality:
Ulysses believes that life is meant to be lived fully. He does not see old age as an end but as an opportunity to continue striving for more. - Heroism and the Human Will:
Ulysses embodies the heroic spirit. He refuses to surrender to fate and chooses to control his destiny.
2. Poetic Devices Used
- Dramatic Monologue:
The poem is written as a monologue, where Ulysses speaks directly to the audience, revealing his thoughts and emotions. - Imagery:
Tennyson uses vivid imagery to contrast the dull life in Ithaca with the excitement of the sea and adventure. - Symbolism:
- The sea represents the unknown and the spirit of exploration.
- Telemachus symbolizes the stable, responsible life that Ulysses rejects.
- The arch in “All experience is an arch” symbolizes the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
- Repetition:
The repetition of phrases like “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” emphasizes Ulysses’ strong will and determination. - Contrast:
Ulysses contrasts his restless nature with the calm, dutiful nature of Telemachus.
Questions to expect:
- Who is the speaker of the poem, and what does he want to do?
The speaker of the poem Ulysses is Ulysses (also known as Odysseus), the famous Greek hero. At the time of the poem, he is an old king living on the island of Ithaca. He reflects on his life and expresses his dissatisfaction with the quiet, uneventful existence he now leads.
Ulysses wants to escape the dullness of ruling and return to adventure. He longs to explore the world and continue seeking knowledge, as he believes life is meant to be lived actively, not passively. He does not want to just wait for death but wants to keep experiencing life to the fullest. Although he is old, he believes that he and his companions still have the strength to achieve something noble before they die. In the end, Ulysses declares his determination to never give up on adventure, saying, “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
- How does Ulysses describe Itika and its people what is his attitude towards his subjects?
Ulysses describes Ithaca and its people in a negative light. He feels that the people of Ithaca are dull and do not understand his greatness. He describes his life there as boring and unfulfilling. The people are simple and live routine lives—they sleep, eat, and hoard, and they do not appreciate Ulysses’ adventurous spirit or his past achievements.
His attitude towards his subjects is one of disconnection and frustration. He feels like he is wasting his time by staying with them. Ulysses is more focused on his desire for adventure and discovery than on governing a peaceful kingdom. He believes that ruling such a people is beneath him, and he longs to be out in the world, continuing his journeys.
- Who is Telemachus and what kind of person does he seem to be?
Telemachus is Ulysses’ son. He is the young prince of Ithaca, and Ulysses describes him as very different from himself. While Ulysses is adventurous and restless, Telemachus seems to be more calm, patient, and responsible. He is focused on ruling the people of Ithaca wisely and following his duties.
Ulysses admires Telemachus for being prudent and decisive, believing he will be a good ruler. Telemachus does not seek adventure like his father but prefers to stay in one place and govern the kingdom in a steady and orderly manner. Ulysses respects his son but feels that he lacks the energy and desire for adventure that he has.
Ulysses’ Monologue: A Reflection on Life and Adventure
A monologue is a long speech given by a single character or speaker, usually expressing their thoughts, feelings, or views. In a monologue, the speaker may be addressing themselves, others, or the audience, but it is a solo performance, without any dialogue or interaction from others.
In the poem Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson, the monologue is delivered by Ulysses, the hero of Greek mythology, as he reflects on his life. The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, where Ulysses speaks to himself, revealing his inner thoughts and desires. He expresses his dissatisfaction with his life in Ithaca, his longing for adventure, and his refusal to accept old age and the idea of settling down.
Through this monologue, the reader gets a deep understanding of Ulysses’ personality, his frustration with his current life, and his intense yearning for a return to the thrill of exploration and discovery. The monologue also serves to show Ulysses’ views on life, death, and his relationships, particularly with his son, Telemachus.
Conclusion
“Ulysses” is a deeply inspirational poem that celebrates the human spirit’s unyielding desire for adventure and discovery. It portrays the struggle between duty and personal ambition, showing that life is meant to be lived fully, no matter one’s age.
Tennyson uses Ulysses as a symbol of resilience, reminding us that even when faced with the inevitable passage of time, we should continue to explore, seek knowledge, and pursue our passions. The final lines of the poem serve as a powerful motivation for all who strive for greatness:
“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
This poem remains relevant today, inspiring readers to embrace challenges, push their limits, and never settle for a mundane existence.