Ulysses by Alfred Tennyson

Central Idea Ulysses wants to continue a challenging and adventured life instead of staying stable to death.

Structure & Form  A dramatic monologue: the entire poem is spoken by a single character, whose identity is revealed by his own words.  In blank verse, or unrhymed iambic pentameter, which serves to impart a fluid and natural quality to speech.  Use of Enjambment: a thought does not end with the line-break; the sentences often end in the middle, rather than the end, of the lines.  the poem is divided into four paragraph-like sections, each of which comprises a distinct thematic unit of the poem.

Odysseus or Ulysses is the hero of Homer's epic poem, “The Odyssey.” Greek name Latin name He is the: king of Ithaca, husband of Penelope, father of Telemachus, Ulysses is a great adventurer known for his cunning and resourcefulness. He took 10 years to get home from the Trojan War!

In Tennyson’s poem about Ulysses the hero is on the island of Ithaca In retirement Ulysses contemplates one final voyage… It’s written in the first person It’s a dramatic monologue Ulysses is speaking

In the first section Ulysses reflects on his life It little profits that an idle king, By this still hearth, among these barren crags, Ulysses Talking about himself Suggests lack of action empty 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. The islanders They don’t recognise his achievements Give out

In the second section Ulysses looks back all times I have enjoyed Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those That loved me, and alone; Repeated for emphasis - Ulysses is a man of extremes both and when Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades Vexed the dim sea : on shore Stars that bring rain troubled The epic language emphasises the scale of what he has done At sea

Ulysses thinks about the exciting times from his life I am become a name; For always roaming Much have I seen and known; cities of men and manners, climates, councils, governments Where he was honoured He enjoyed war drunk delight of battle with my peers; Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy. It is these times that he remembers

Ulysses' past experience makes him want more adventure experience is an arch wherethrough Gleams that untravelled world Sounds enticing How dull it is to pause, to make an end, To rust unburnished, not to shine in use! unpolished Contrasts with “gleams” Comparing himself to a sword Travel and action are better than standing still

Ulysses knows that he has not much time left He wants.. To follow knowledge like a sinking star, Beyond the utmost bound of human thought. Links the idea of travel and knowledge The journey which no one has yet travelled

In the next section he says he will leave his kingdom to his son Telemachus Well-loved of me Telemachus has the job of civilizing the people of Ithaca to make mild A rugged people, and through soft degrees Subdue them to the useful and the good. Ulysses want no part of this He works his work, I mine.

Ulysses gets set for his last voyage There gloom the dark broad seas. How does this line make the voyage seem dangerous? He speaks to his mariners you and I are old; He knows that death is close But before it arrives Some work of noble note, may yet be done, To be accomplished on the voyage Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods He sees himself and his men as heroes

He’s ready to leave To sail beyond the sunset, Tis not too late to seek a newer world. and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. To the edge of the known world Beyond the straits of Gibraltar Has an air of finality He‘s no desire to return from this voyage

Ulysses thinks of paradise It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew The companion of Ulysses at Troy Tennyson was 24 when he wrote this poem, shortly after the death of his friend Arthur Hallam “about the need of going forward and braving the struggle of life" Perhaps he wanted to be reunited with him?

In the final section Ulysses realises he is old but he still wants to live life We are not now that strength Tho' much is taken, much abides remains Most of his life is over He’s realistic about his limitations But he won’t be beaten by what lies ahead but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield Give in Is Ulysses trying to motivate himself for the journey?