Welcome to Poem of the Day – Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
“Ulysses” is a dramatic monologue by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, published in 1842. The poem is a reflection on the character of Ulysses (Odysseus in Greek mythology) as he contemplates his life and future. It explores themes of adventure, aging, and the quest for meaning in life. Through the voice of Ulysses, Tennyson examines the nature of human desire and the pursuit of fulfillment.
Content
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.
Ulysses Poem Explanation
The poem begins with Ulysses speaking about his dissatisfaction with his current life as king of Ithaca, where he feels unfulfilled and restless. He reflects on his past adventures and the excitement of his travels, contrasting them with his current state of boredom and inactivity. Ulysses expresses a sense of frustration with his domestic life and the responsibilities of kingship, which he finds mundane compared to the thrill of exploration and adventure.
Ulysses laments that his people are content with their simple lives, while he longs for the grandeur and excitement of his past experiences. He recounts the trials and triumphs of his voyages, emphasizing his insatiable desire for knowledge and new experiences. Despite his advanced age, he remains driven by a spirit of exploration and adventure, unwilling to resign himself to a life of complacency.
The poem culminates in Ulysses’s decision to embark on one final journey with his companions. He is determined to seek out new horizons and face whatever challenges come his way. Ulysses’s resolve to live life to the fullest and embrace the unknown reflects his enduring spirit and quest for meaning.
Themes and Analysis
The Quest for Meaning: A central theme in “Ulysses” is the search for meaning and purpose in life. Ulysses is dissatisfied with his current existence and yearns for the excitement and sense of purpose he found during his adventures. The poem reflects the idea that life’s true fulfillment comes from pursuing one’s passions and seeking out new experiences.
Adventure and Exploration: Ulysses’s desire for adventure is a major theme in the poem. He looks back on his past voyages with nostalgia and views them as a source of true meaning. The poem celebrates the spirit of exploration and the idea that life is enriched by seeking out new challenges and experiences.
Aging and the Desire to Defy It: The poem addresses the theme of aging and the struggle to maintain vitality and purpose in the face of advancing years. Ulysses, despite his old age, refuses to accept a life of stagnation. His determination to continue exploring reflects a broader human desire to defy the limitations imposed by age and to remain active and engaged.
Leadership and Responsibility: Ulysses reflects on his role as a leader and the responsibilities of kingship. He feels that his current role is unfulfilling compared to his past adventures. The poem explores the tension between the duties of leadership and the personal desire for individual fulfillment.
The Heroic Ideal: Ulysses embodies the Romantic ideal of the heroic individual who is driven by a relentless pursuit of greatness. His determination to embark on a final journey reflects the Romantic belief in the power of the human spirit to transcend ordinary limitations and strive for greatness.
Structure and Form
Form: “Ulysses” is written as a dramatic monologue, a poetic form in which a single speaker addresses an audience, revealing their inner thoughts and emotions. The poem is structured in blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter. This form allows for a natural and flowing expression of Ulysses’s thoughts.
Meter: The poem uses blank verse, characterized by lines of iambic pentameter without rhyme. This meter provides a dignified and formal tone, suitable for the heroic and reflective nature of the poem.
Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and defiant. Ulysses’s reflections on his past and his decision to seek out new adventures convey a sense of determination and resilience. The tone shifts from nostalgia and dissatisfaction to one of bold resolve and ambition.
Imagery and Language
Imagery of Adventure: The poem is rich with imagery related to adventure and exploration. Ulysses’s memories of his travels and the challenges he faced are vividly described, creating a sense of excitement and grandeur.
Imagery of Aging: Ulysses’s reflections on his age and the passage of time are conveyed through imagery that contrasts his current state with his past vitality. The imagery underscores his struggle with aging and his desire to remain active and engaged.
Heroic Language: The language of the poem is grand and elevated, reflecting Ulysses’s heroic ideals and sense of purpose. The use of lofty and dramatic language emphasizes the epic nature of his quest and the significance of his resolve.
Metaphorical Language: Tennyson uses metaphors to convey Ulysses’s inner state and his aspirations. For example, Ulysses refers to life as a “battle” and describes his quest as a journey “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” These metaphors highlight the themes of struggle and perseverance.
Significance
Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses” is a powerful exploration of the human spirit and the quest for meaning. Through the character of Ulysses, the poem examines themes of adventure, aging, and the pursuit of fulfillment. The dramatic monologue form and the use of blank verse create a compelling and introspective narrative, reflecting Ulysses’s inner conflict and resolve. Tennyson’s rich imagery and heroic language celebrate the enduring desire for exploration and the refusal to accept limitations. “Ulysses” remains a significant work in Romantic literature, celebrated for its reflection on the complexities of human aspiration and the search for purpose.