Ulysses by Alfred Tennyson - Summary
The poem Ulysses is written by Alfred Tennyson, the leading literary figure of Victorian poetry. It is written in blank verse and based on the adventures of Roman mythological hero Ulysses and narrated by Ulysses himself who wants to continuously travel and discover new worlds. The poem is a dramatic monologue.
The poem begins with Ulysses finding it odd to meet his wife Penelope because she would have grown old and may not identify him after such long time. He also thinks that he is no profit to his native people and termed them 'a savage race' because he doesn't share the resemblance with them as they lead a boring life and unfruitful life in which they just eat, sleep and hoard things, even they don't recognize their king. Ulysses doesn't have any intention to live like them, he wants to travel to various places, explore new wonders and committed to live his life to the fullest.
In his journeys, he has experienced both cheerful moments and harsh adversities with his loved ones i.e. his crew and alone too. Ulysses admits that he has become a legend. He has always travelled with a hungry heart to find more. He has seen and known much about cities, its traditions, climatic conditions, governments. He has become part of all establishments where he went and earned their respect. He compares all beautiful experiences to an arch as when one reaches somewhere, one can view another "untraveled world". It is boring for him to pause or end a journey. He doesn't want to waste his youthfulness sitting idle and emphasize on harnessing youth's vigour while he possesses it and why "not to shine in use." he doesn't want to pile life's moments on moments and these saved moments are useless to him. It would be unpleasant for him to sit idle and spend time doing nothing.
Despite him being old, he yearns to attain knowledge and insight which is beyond the limits of human thought and imagination. He introduces his son, Telemachus who succeeded him to the throne of his native island of Ithaca. He loves his son and praises his features. He advises him to administer his people efficiently and minimize their savageness slowly with great care and groom them so that they can contribute to society. He is aware of his son being surrounded by hereditary duties and hope that he won't fail in his office and pay homage to household gods of Lares and Penates (Roman Mythology) in his absence. Ulysses doesn't hold any interest in ruling people, so he is always on his main venture, travelling and that's why neither he interferes in his son's business nor his son interferes in his life.
Now he points to a nearby port and his vessel and refers the sea as dark and gloomy. He praises his mariners who have worked hard both mentally and physically. They have been welcomed by both the thunder and the sun rays. H admit that although they have grown old and admit supremacy of death yet he feels that there is some noble work may yet to be done, unlike men who fight with gods. He mentions the natural phenomenon of a day, moon and voices and encourages his peers that it isn't too late to discover a new world. He tells them to use their oars and strike through waters and proclaims his purpose "to sail beyond the sunset" i.e. to travel endlessly till his death.
During their journey, they may be washed down by the gulfs or possibly may reach heaven and meet Achilles whom he knew. He admits that he and his crews don't have that vigour and strength with which earlier they brought earthquake on earth and heaven. He pumps his crew's confidence by terming them as a force of "heroic hearts" which have been made weak by time and fate but their will is strong. They will struggle against all adversities, discover new wonders and creations and never give up.
The poem begins with Ulysses finding it odd to meet his wife Penelope because she would have grown old and may not identify him after such long time. He also thinks that he is no profit to his native people and termed them 'a savage race' because he doesn't share the resemblance with them as they lead a boring life and unfruitful life in which they just eat, sleep and hoard things, even they don't recognize their king. Ulysses doesn't have any intention to live like them, he wants to travel to various places, explore new wonders and committed to live his life to the fullest.
In his journeys, he has experienced both cheerful moments and harsh adversities with his loved ones i.e. his crew and alone too. Ulysses admits that he has become a legend. He has always travelled with a hungry heart to find more. He has seen and known much about cities, its traditions, climatic conditions, governments. He has become part of all establishments where he went and earned their respect. He compares all beautiful experiences to an arch as when one reaches somewhere, one can view another "untraveled world". It is boring for him to pause or end a journey. He doesn't want to waste his youthfulness sitting idle and emphasize on harnessing youth's vigour while he possesses it and why "not to shine in use." he doesn't want to pile life's moments on moments and these saved moments are useless to him. It would be unpleasant for him to sit idle and spend time doing nothing.
Despite him being old, he yearns to attain knowledge and insight which is beyond the limits of human thought and imagination. He introduces his son, Telemachus who succeeded him to the throne of his native island of Ithaca. He loves his son and praises his features. He advises him to administer his people efficiently and minimize their savageness slowly with great care and groom them so that they can contribute to society. He is aware of his son being surrounded by hereditary duties and hope that he won't fail in his office and pay homage to household gods of Lares and Penates (Roman Mythology) in his absence. Ulysses doesn't hold any interest in ruling people, so he is always on his main venture, travelling and that's why neither he interferes in his son's business nor his son interferes in his life.
Now he points to a nearby port and his vessel and refers the sea as dark and gloomy. He praises his mariners who have worked hard both mentally and physically. They have been welcomed by both the thunder and the sun rays. H admit that although they have grown old and admit supremacy of death yet he feels that there is some noble work may yet to be done, unlike men who fight with gods. He mentions the natural phenomenon of a day, moon and voices and encourages his peers that it isn't too late to discover a new world. He tells them to use their oars and strike through waters and proclaims his purpose "to sail beyond the sunset" i.e. to travel endlessly till his death.
During their journey, they may be washed down by the gulfs or possibly may reach heaven and meet Achilles whom he knew. He admits that he and his crews don't have that vigour and strength with which earlier they brought earthquake on earth and heaven. He pumps his crew's confidence by terming them as a force of "heroic hearts" which have been made weak by time and fate but their will is strong. They will struggle against all adversities, discover new wonders and creations and never give up.