Introduction to Ulysses by
Lord Alfred Tennyson
Lord
Alfred Tennyson’s Ulysses, first published in 1842, is one of his most
famous dramatic monologues. Inspired by the legendary Greek hero Odysseus
(Ulysses in Latin) from Homer’s Odyssey, the poem presents an aged king
who reflects on his past adventures and expresses a restless desire for
continued exploration. Written in blank verse, the poem captures Ulysses’
struggle between the responsibilities of kingship and his yearning for
adventure, making it a profound meditation on aging, ambition, and the pursuit
of meaning in life.
Historical Context
Tennyson
wrote Ulysses in 1833, shortly after the death of his close friend
Arthur Henry Hallam. The poem can be interpreted as an emotional response to
grief, reflecting a personal struggle with loss and the search for purpose. It
was published nearly a decade later in Poems (1842), solidifying
Tennyson’s reputation as one of the leading poets of the Victorian era.
Themes and Interpretation
The
poem explores several key themes:
- Restlessness
and Adventure:
Ulysses finds no satisfaction in ruling Ithaca and longs for the
excitement of exploration.
- Aging
and Mortality:
The poem acknowledges the inevitability of aging but emphasizes the
importance of striving for new experiences.
- Leadership
and Responsibility:
Ulysses contrasts himself with his son, Telemachus, who is portrayed as a
responsible ruler, while Ulysses seeks a more heroic path.
- Perseverance
and Heroism:
The famous closing lines—“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to
yield”—embody a defiant spirit that resonates with readers facing personal
or societal challenges.
Structure and Style
Tennyson
employs blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), which gives the poem a
fluid, speech-like quality. The monologue is divided into three main sections:
Ulysses’ dissatisfaction with his current life, his recognition of Telemachus
as a stable ruler, and his final call to adventure. The use of vivid imagery,
dramatic tone, and classical allusions enriches the poem’s depth and emotional
impact.
Significance
Historically,
the poem emerged during the Victorian era when Britain was expanding its empire
and scientific discoveries were challenging traditional beliefs. "Ulysses"
resonated with the Victorian ideals of striving, self-improvement, and refusing
to submit to limitation.
Lines by Line Summary, Word Meaning, and
Explanation of Poem
1
"It
little profits that an idle king,"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
profits – brings benefit or advantage
ii.
idle – inactive, doing nothing
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses, the speaker, laments that there is little benefit in being a king who
does nothing. He feels that simply ruling passively is meaningless.
2
"By
this still hearth, among these barren crags,"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
still
hearth – the
quiet fireplace, symbolizing home and domestic life
ii.
barren
crags – rocky,
unproductive land, symbolizing a dull and unadventurous life
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses describes his current situation: he stays near the fireplace at home,
surrounded by a lifeless and uninspiring landscape. This contrasts with his
past adventures as a heroic traveler.
3
"Match'd
with an aged wife, I mete and dole"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
match'd – paired with, married to
ii.
aged
wife – referring to his wife, Penelope,
who is now old
iii.
mete
and dole – measure
out and distribute
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses feels stuck in a mundane routine, married to his now-old wife,
Penelope, and spending his days merely distributing laws and responsibilities
to his people, rather than engaging in the heroic adventures he longs for.
4
Overall
Meaning:
5
Ulysses
expresses dissatisfaction with his current life as a passive ruler. He sees
ruling as dull and uninspiring compared to his past experiences as an
adventurous warrior and explorer. The poem reflects his yearning for adventure
and purpose beyond mere governance.
6
"I
mete and dole Unequal laws unto a savage race,"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
mete
and dole – measure
out and distribute (justice or resources)
ii.
unequal
laws – unfair or ineffective laws
iii.
savage
race – a crude, uncivilized people
(Ulysses refers to his subjects this way, implying they do not understand him)
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses feels that ruling his people is tedious. He sees them as unrefined and
ignorant, and he believes the laws he gives them are ineffective. He does not
feel a deep connection with them.
7
"That
hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
hoard – accumulate and store up (often
selfishly)
ii.
feed – eat, suggesting a basic existence
iii.
know
not me – do not
understand or appreciate me
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses criticizes his subjects, saying they only care about basic survival
(eating, sleeping, and gathering resources) rather than higher ideals like
adventure, knowledge, or heroism. He feels alienated from them.
8
"I
cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees:"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
cannot
rest from travel
– unable to stop journeying
ii.
drink
life to the lees
– experience life to the fullest (lees are the dregs of wine, meaning he wants
to consume every last drop of life’s experiences)
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses declares that he cannot be content with a quiet life. He wants to
continue exploring and living fully, embracing all of life’s adventures.
9
"All
times I have enjoy'd Greatly, have suffer'd greatly, both with those That loved
me, and alone,"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
enjoy’d
greatly –
experienced great joy
ii.
suffer’d
greatly – endured
hardships
iii.
with
those that loved me
– with his companions
iv.
alone – by himself
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses reflects on his past experiences—both joyful and painful. He has faced
challenges both with his loyal companions and in solitude.
10
"on
shore, and when Thro' scudding drifts the rainy Hyades Vext the dim sea:"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
scudding
drifts –
fast-moving clouds or waves
ii.
rainy
Hyades – a star
cluster associated with storms in Greek mythology
iii.
vext – troubled, disturbed
iv.
dim
sea – dark and stormy ocean
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses recalls facing storms at sea, emphasizing the dangers and struggles of
his voyages. The imagery of the stormy ocean represents his adventurous spirit
and hardships.
11
"I
am become a name;"
a.
Word
Meaning:
i.
become
a name – turned
into a legend or famous figure
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses acknowledges that he is now known more as a legend than as an active
explorer. This line suggests that he does not want to just be a memory—he wants
to continue making new adventures.
12 Overall Meaning:
13
Ulysses
feels disconnected from his current life as a ruler. He sees his people as
mundane and does not find fulfillment in governing them. He longs for
adventure, believing that he must fully embrace life and push beyond ordinary
existence. Reflecting on his past, he recalls both the joys and struggles of
his travels. Ultimately, he refuses to remain just a legendary figure—he wants
to keep seeking new experiences.
14
"For
always roaming with a hungry heart"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
roaming – traveling constantly
ii.
hungry
heart – an
intense desire for adventure and experience
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses describes himself as someone who is never satisfied and always seeking
new experiences.
15
"Much
have I seen and known; cities of men And manners, climates, councils, governments,"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
manners – customs and behaviors of
different people
ii.
climates – different geographical and
cultural environments
iii.
councils,
governments
– political systems and leaderships he has observed
b.
Explanation:
He has traveled widely, experiencing different cultures, political systems, and
ways of life.
16
"Myself
not least, but honour'd of them all;"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
not
least – an
important figure
ii.
honour’d
of them all
– respected by all he encountered
b.
Explanation:
He was not just a traveler but someone admired and respected wherever he went.
17
"And
drunk delight of battle with my peers, Far on the ringing plains of windy
Troy."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
drunk
delight – fully
experienced the thrill
ii.
peers – fellow warriors
iii.
ringing
plains –
battlefield where the sound of weapons echoed
iv.
windy
Troy – Troy, where he fought during the
Trojan War
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses remembers the excitement of fighting alongside his comrades in the
Trojan War.
18
"I
am a part of all that I have met;"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
a
part of all that I have met
– every experience has shaped who he is
b.
Explanation:
His identity is built from the places he has been and the experiences he has
had.
19
"Yet
all experience is an arch wherethro' Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin
fades For ever and forever when I move."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
arch – a gateway
ii.
untravell’d
world –
unexplored places and experiences
iii.
margin
fades – the
horizon keeps expanding
b.
Explanation:
Experience is like an archway leading to more unknown adventures, always beyond
his reach.
20
"How
dull it is to pause, to make an end, To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in
use!"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
dull – boring, unfulfilling
ii.
rust
unburnish’d
– to become useless from inactivity
iii.
shine
in use – be
valuable when actively engaged
b.
Explanation:
He dislikes the idea of stopping and growing old without purpose. Like metal,
he believes people should remain active to stay useful.
21
"As
tho' to breathe were life! Life piled on life Were all too little, and of one
to me Little remains:"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
as
tho' to breathe were life
– merely being alive is not enough
ii.
life
piled on life
– even multiple lives would be insufficient
b.
Explanation:
He believes that simply existing is not enough—life must be actively lived with
adventure and purpose.
22
"But
every hour is saved From that eternal silence, something more, A bringer of new
things;"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
eternal
silence – death
or inactivity
ii.
bringer
of new things
– each moment offers something new
b.
Explanation:
He values every moment as a chance to experience something meaningful.
23
"And
vile it were For some three suns to store and hoard myself, And this gray
spirit yearning in desire"
Word Meanings:
a.
three
suns – a few years
b.
hoard
myself – keep
himself inactive
c.
gray
spirit – his
aging soul
Explanation:
He feels it would be shameful to waste his remaining years in idleness instead
of seeking knowledge and adventure.
24
"To
follow knowledge like a sinking star, Beyond the utmost bound of human
thought."
Word Meanings:
a.
sinking
star – something that disappears beyond
reach
b.
utmost
bound – the
furthest limit
Explanation:
He wants to pursue knowledge and experience beyond the limits of human
understanding.
25 On Telemachus and Ulysses' Legacy:
26
"This
is my son, mine own Telemachus, To whom I leave the sceptre and the
isle,—"
Word Meanings:
a.
sceptre – symbol of kingship
b.
isle – Ithaca
Explanation:
He entrusts his kingdom to his son, Telemachus.
27
"Well-loved
of me, discerning to fulfil This labour, by slow prudence to make mild A rugged
people,"
Word Meanings:
a.
discerning – wise, perceptive
b.
labour – duty
c.
slow
prudence – careful
and patient wisdom
d.
rugged
people – his
difficult subjects
Explanation:
He believes Telemachus is capable of ruling wisely and civilizing the people
through patience and wisdom.
28
"And
thro' soft degrees Subdue them to the useful and the good."
Word Meanings:
a.
soft
degrees – gentle,
gradual steps
b.
subdue – bring under control
Explanation:
Unlike Ulysses, who thrives on adventure, Telemachus is suited for ruling by
guiding people towards goodness and order.
29
"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."
Word Meanings:
a.
most
blameless – morally
upright
b.
sphere
of common duties
– everyday responsibilities
c.
offices
of tenderness
– acts of care and kindness
d.
household
gods – family traditions and religious
duties
Explanation:
Telemachus is honorable, responsible, and will uphold family traditions and
values after Ulysses is gone.
30
"He
works his work, I mine."
Word Meanings:
a.
works
his work – does
his duty
b.
I
mine – I do mine
Explanation:
Telemachus is fit to rule, but Ulysses has a different path—to seek adventure.
Overall Meaning:
Ulysses reflects on his restless
spirit, recalling his past adventures and yearning for more. He sees life as an
endless pursuit of experience and knowledge. He contrasts himself with his son
Telemachus, who is suited for the steady and responsible task of ruling Ithaca.
While Telemachus will govern wisely, Ulysses refuses to settle down and longs
for one last great journey.
31
"There
lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail: There gloom the dark, broad
seas."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
port – the harbor where ships depart
ii.
vessel – ship
iii.
puffs
her sail – the
sail is filled with wind, ready for departure
iv.
gloom – appear dark and mysterious
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses points out the harbor and ship that are ready for him to embark on a
new journey. The dark, vast ocean represents the unknown future.
32
"My
mariners, Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and thought with me—"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
mariners – sailors
ii.
toil’d – worked hard
iii.
wrought – labored, created
b.
Explanation:
He addresses his loyal companions who have shared his struggles, adventures,
and experiences.
33
"That
ever with a frolic welcome took The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed Free
hearts, free foreheads—"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
frolic
welcome –
cheerful acceptance
ii.
thunder
and the sunshine
– hardships and joys
iii.
opposed – faced challenges bravely
iv.
free
hearts, free foreheads
– courageous, independent minds
b.
Explanation:
His men have always faced both hardships and joys with enthusiasm and bravery,
never shying away from challenges.
34
"You
and I are old; Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
hath – has
ii.
honour
and toil – dignity
and duty
b.
Explanation:
Though they are old, there is still dignity in hard work and new challenges.
35
"Death
closes all: but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be
done,"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
death
closes all – death
is inevitable
ii.
ere – before
iii.
noble
note – something honorable and great
b.
Explanation:
Death is unavoidable, but before it comes, they can still achieve something
remarkable.
36
"Not
unbecoming men that strove with Gods."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
not
unbecoming – worthy
of
ii.
strove
with Gods –
referring to their legendary struggles, including the Trojan War
b.
Explanation:
They have fought great battles before, even challenging divine forces, so their
final journey should be just as heroic.
37
"The
lights begin to twinkle from the rocks: The long day wanes: the slow moon
climbs:"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
twinkle – shine faintly
ii.
wanes – fades, comes to an end
iii.
slow
moon climbs
– the moon is rising slowly
b.
Explanation:
The day is ending, symbolizing the passage of time and the nearing of life’s
twilight.
38
"The
deep Moans round with many voices."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
deep – the ocean
ii.
moans – makes a sorrowful sound
b.
Explanation:
The sea makes a mysterious, almost sorrowful sound, symbolizing the vast and
unknown future.
39
"Come,
my friends, 'T is not too late to seek a newer world."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
'T
is – It is
ii.
newer
world – new
adventures and experiences
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses encourages his men to embark on one last grand journey, as it is never
too late for adventure.
40
"Push
off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows;"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
push
off – set sail
ii.
smite – strike forcefully
iii.
sounding
furrows – waves
of the ocean
b.
Explanation:
He tells his men to set sail and row vigorously, embracing their final
adventure.
41
"For
my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western
stars, until I die."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
purpose
holds –
determination remains strong
ii.
beyond
the sunset – beyond
the known world
iii.
baths
of all the western stars
– the farthest, unknown reaches of the world
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses is determined to journey beyond the horizon, to places unknown, until
his final breath.
42
"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."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
gulfs
will wash us down
– they may perish in the ocean
ii.
Happy
Isles –
mythical paradise for heroes (Elysium)
iii.
Achilles – the great warrior from the Trojan
War
b.
Explanation:
They may either perish or reach paradise, where they might reunite with fallen
heroes like Achilles.
43
"Tho'
much is taken, much abides;"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
much
is taken – they
have lost strength with age
ii.
much
abides – but
much still remains
b.
Explanation:
Though they have lost their youthful power, they still retain wisdom, courage,
and spirit.
44
"And
tho' We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and
heaven,"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
not
that strength
– not as strong as before
ii.
moved
earth and heaven
– achieved great feats
b.
Explanation:
They are no longer as powerful as they once were, but they still have purpose.
45
"That
which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and
fate, but strong in will"
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
equal
temper – same
noble spirit
ii.
made
weak by time and fate
– physically weaker due to age
iii.
strong
in will – but
mentally determined
b.
Explanation:
Although time has weakened their bodies, their spirit and determination remain
unchanged.
46
"To
strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
a.
Word
Meanings:
i.
strive – fight for goals
ii.
seek – continue searching
iii.
find – discover and achieve
iv.
not
to yield – never
give up
b.
Explanation:
Ulysses ends with a powerful declaration: they will continue to struggle,
explore, and achieve, never surrendering to age or fate.
Overall Meaning:
47
Ulysses,
despite his old age, refuses to settle into a passive life. He calls upon his
fellow mariners to embark on one last heroic adventure, pushing beyond the
known world. He acknowledges that they are no longer as strong as they once
were, but their spirit remains indomitable. He ends with a timeless message of
perseverance and resilience: "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to
yield."
