ULYSSES

ULYSSES

-Alfred Tennyson

Introduction:

            Alfred Lord Tennyson is a true representative poet of the Victorian England. He succeeded words worth as the poet laureate of England.  He was highly inspired by carlyles’ spirit of social protest.  Ulysses, the hero of homers epic poem odyssey is speaking in this poem.  The poem is in the form of a dramatic monologue, a mixture of the drama, the soliloguy and the lyric.

The adventures of Ulysses:

            Ulysses had performed adventures both on land and sea.  He never feared to go into the sea.  He has faced and overcomed challenges in this voyages.  He has faced even storms, courageously.  He knows various cities, their civilization, whether conditions and their governments.  He recalls his victory in Trojan war.  He was excited by the sounds of soldiers and battlefield.  He is very proud that he influenced the people who ever he met.

Thirst for travel:

            Ulysses wanted to live his life to the fullest extent.  Due to the old age he has only three years to live.  So he does not want to waste his life.  Death is an internal silence.  So every moment in life is precious.  His spirit has grayed like his grey hair.  He wants to pursue knowledge and disappear like a meteor disappearing in the atmosphere.  So he wants to continue his voyages even in his old age.

Telemaches:

            Ulysses assures that his son telemaches will rule the country in his absence.  He confidently says that his son is wise and patient to soften violence in the nation.  He is faithful and treats people with love and affection.  He respects religion and will surely shine as a good king.

Preparation for voyage:

            Ulysses says that ships are ready for the voyage.  The whether is good and the sea is dark.  The mariners who accompany him are hard working and have good rapport with him.  They will never be affected by any prejudices or natural climates.  They are as old as Ulysses.  He advises them to respect their old age by doing hard work.  He insists on working briskly till death comes to them.

The voyage:

            Ulysses starts his journey when the lighthouse is blinking.  He describes his aims and desires to the sailors.  He wants to reach the baths of the sun and the stars.  He wants to go to “happy Isles” to meet Achilles, who was killed in the “Trojan war”.  He encourages his fellow sailors “To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield”.

Theme of the poem:

            After the Trojan war and various voyages, Ulysses was a trust in Ithaca.  But he feels that life at home and country is boring.  He feels that the people in Ithaca are idle and live like animals.  He feels that rest affects inactive men as rust affects unused metals.  He motivates them to have a real desire towards adventures.  He inspires them to move with confidence and never to yield to despair.

Conclusion:

            The spiritual crisis in the life of the speaker is analyzed and depicted in the poem.  All the sailors including Ulysses have a lost strength due to old age.  Yet, they want to be adventures with the strength left out.  Though time has weakened them, they have the will power to work hard to attain their goals.  Thus Ulysses stands for the Victorian spirit of enquiry and unceasing striving.