Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson
ULYSSES
by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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 legs: 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 experiences is an arch wherethro';
Gleams that untravell'd world, whose margin fades
For ever and for ever 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 grey 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,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting will 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 ;
On equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find not to yield.
Line by Line Paraphrase of the poem
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.
Paraphrase of the above lines
It is not a profitable affair that I , the King, like an inactive fireplace is idle and living in a barren and rocky land and matched with an aged wife governing a savage people by punishing them by the laws made by me which are unfit for a civil society. These people and their race is so savage that they have no other work except earning money to hoard, feeding themselves and sleeping. This savage race does not know my capabilities. (I am wasting myself here with these people)
Critical Analysis
The dramatic monologue starts with a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction felt by the speaker, who is the legendary Greek hero Ulysses (also known as Odysseus). These lines depict a scene where Ulysses, now an aging king, is reflecting upon his current life situation. He is living in a barren land surrounded by savage people who do not know his capabilities. He has to control them by unequal laws which are not meant for civil societies. These lines are enjambed. They flow from one line to the next without a pause. The speaker is Ulysses, a prominent figure from Greek Mythology. Oxymoron “idle king” juxtaposes contradictory terms emphasizing the dissatisfaction with present state and yearning for adventure.The imagery of the "still hearth" and "barren crags" paints a vivid picture of a quiet and desolate environment. Ulysses contrasts his current situation with his past adventures. These lines introduce a theme of wanderlust.
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the legs: 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;
Paraphrase of the above lines
I cannot stop traveling and rest. I will drink the life from top to bottom. ( I will enjoy the life from beginning to the very end.) All my life I have enjoyed it greatly and suffered greatly as well with my people who loved me and alone also on the shore and on the tumultuous sea also when rainy Hyades(clusters of stars indicating rains) were seen obscured by drifting clouds which agitated the sea. I defeated the tumultuous sea and earned name and fame but at present I am only a name.
Critical Analysis
Ulysses says that he cannot remain idle and rest from travel. He will enjoy his life to the full traveling the whole world. The metaphor “drink life to the legs” is very striking. He has enjoyed his life greatly and suffered also alone and with his people who loved him. Repetition of “greatly” emphasizes the duality of experience. Additionally, he contrasts the times he has enjoyed with the times he has suffered. The image of the "rainy Hyades" and "vext the dim sea" conjures a vivid depiction of a tumultuous sea voyage. The phrase "vext the dim sea" personifies the rainy Hyades as if they are troubling or disturbing the sea itself. The line "I am become a name" carries symbolism that speaks to Ulysses' legacy. These lines further explore themes of adventure.
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.
Paraphrase from of the above line
I have always roamed about with a hungry heart for adventure. I have seen and known a lot, like cities of people and their manners, councils and their governments and all of them have honored me not the least but a lot of it they have bestowed upon me. I have drunk the delight of battles with my men on the far off places like Troy, the windy place that rang up the the sound of swords. ( I have drunk the delight of battles= I have enjoyed fighting the battles.)
Critical Analysis
Ulysses says that throughout his life, he has continuously wandered with an insatiable longing. The phrase "roaming with a hungry heart" uses metaphor to describe Ulysses' insatiable desire for new experiences. He has witnessed and understood a great deal – human civilizations, customs, weather patterns, political assemblies, forms of governance. He has been a part of these societies, valued and respected by them. He has also savored the exhilaration of combat alongside his fellow warriors, fighting bravely on the vast, resounding plains of Troy. The phrase "drunk delight of battle with my peers" uses symbolism to convey the intense and exhilarating nature of Ulysses' experiences in combat. The image of "ringing plains of windy Troy" creates a vivid mental picture of the battlefield where Ulysses fought during the Trojan War. Alliteration of ‘m’ sound and enumeration is also noteworthy.
Lines 18 to 21
I am a part of all that I have met;
Yet all experiences is an arch wherethro';
Gleams that untravell'd world, whose margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move.
Paraphrase of the above lines
I am a part of all that I have undergone. Even then, all my experience of adventure is like an arch through which I can see the gleaming unexplored world whose horizon keeps on moving ahead revealing more unexplored worlds forever and forever when I embark on my adventure of exploring the unexplored.
Critical Analysis
Ulysses says that he is a part of all his experience. His personality has been shaped by his experience. This idea is conveyed by metaphor of being "a part of all that I have met" The image of an "arch" in the phrase "experiences is an arch wherethro'" creates a visual representation of a passage or doorway. This arch symbolizes the bridge between the known and the unknown, the explored and the unexplored. The "untravell'd world" symbolizes the uncharted territories of life, both in terms of geographical places and the unexplored potential within oneself. The phrase "whose margin fades / For ever and for ever" presents a paradox, where the idea of the margin fading suggests both movement and change, yet also a sense of endlessness. These lines present a theme of exploration and pursuit of knowledge.
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,
Paraphrase of the above lines
It is very dull and boring to pause the spirit of adventure or end the adventure. It is like rusting of the metal without polishing or finishing oneself by rusting and not to shine by being in use. It is as if life is breathing and breathing only. Piling one life on the other. Taking breath after breath. For a person like me, it is no life. Such life is highly undesirable in comparison to what I have experienced. Only a little remains to be explored but in life of adventure every hour is saved from the eternal silence. Every hour finds a purpose. There is always something more to be explored. Even beyond the point of death, there is something new to be known and it brings something new. If I were to spend even three years hoarding, feeding and sleeping, it would be contemptuous to me.
Critical Analysis
Ulysses has paused his adventures but he is cross to such a life which is without adventure. Pausing or ending adventure is very much like rusting of iron and not shining on being used. The metaphor to”rust unburnished’ aptly conveys his idea. He condemns life without adventure, comparing it as if only breathing is life. He offers a contrast between “to rust unburnished” and “to shine in use” . Repetition of life piled on life is a nice description. Alliteration of ‘s’ sound adds a rhythmic quality. These lines continue to explore themes of restlessness and desire for adventure.
And this grey 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,
Paraphrase of the above lines
I am old but my old spirit is yearning for adventure. I want to follow knowledge like following the sinking star even beyond the boundaries of human thought and understanding. Before me is my son, my dear and my heir telemachus to whom I pass on the responsibilities of rulership of this isle. He is very and cherished by me. He has the capabilities and insight to rule over the savage people of this isle by using careful and thoughtful tactics to soften the disposition of these rugged people. He envisions Telemachus gradually guiding them towards embracing what is beneficial and morally right. He is most blameless. He is committed to fulfilling his duties without faltering especially when it comes to showing care and tenderness to others. In addition, he pays appropriate tribute and respect to household gods and thus he fulfills his religious and cultural obligation also.
Critical Analysis
Ulysses says that although he is old, his spirit is longing for adventure. He uses a metaphor for himself ‘grey spirit yearning in desire’ He wants to pursue knowledge like following a sinking star. He uses a simile here and the imagery of a sinking star which like knowledge never sinks. This imagery indicates that if you follow knowledge, you will get knowledge but knowledge will never come to an end. He compares it to following a sinking star which never sinks and is seen in the horizon. He leaves the rule of the isle with his son Telemachus. He characterizes Telemachus as ‘most blameless, prudent, discerning and capable of ruling the rugged people with patience and wisdom besides fulfilling his cultural and religious responsibilities too .
Lines 43 to 61
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,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting will 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.
Paraphrase of the above lines
When I am gone, he will do his work and I will do mine. There is the port where the ship is ready with its puffed sail. Beyond the ship, there lies the dark sea and there are mariners. These are the people who have toiled with me. They thought like me and they have been molded like me. They have always welcomed the thunder and the sunshine with a frolic on their faces and faced them bravely. O, my dear free heart and free forehead people. We are old. Old age has its own respect and toils. Although death ultimately brings an end to everything yet some noble deeds or something meaningful or significant must be done before death comes to us. It is not inappropriate for humans to aspire to great accomplishments, even if those achievements seem comparable to the deeds of gods like the act of fighting powerful mythological beings. The light has begun to twinkle from the rocks. The sunlight reflects from there. The long day is waning. The moon is slowly climbing up the sky. The deep moaning sound with other sounds is coming from the ocean. Now my friends come. It is still not too late to seek a newer world. Therefore we must push off the shore. Our coordinated actions to sail the ship will certainly cut through the water. My purpose is to keep on sailing till death beyond the horizon where the sun sets and all the western stars bath.
Critical Analysis
Ulysses says that when he is gone, he will do his own work of adventure and his Telemachus will do his own work of ruling the people. In the port, his ship is ready for sale. The image of the "port" and the "vessel puffs her sail" evokes the setting of a ship about to embark on a journey. The “vessel puffs her sail” gives a touch of personification. He enumerates the qualities of his mariners giving a parallel structure “Free hearts, free foreheads” who have faced difficulties with him bravely. Ulysses wants to put his last days to the best use because death puts an end to everything. It is not inappropriate to make efforts to accomplish seemingly impossible achievements like fighting with gods. He offers an imagery of the waning day and the rising moon which call for adventure and keep on sailing till death.
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 ;
On equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find not to yield.
Paraphrase of the above lines
It is possible that gulfs drown us by sinking our ship or we may discover the Happy Isles or we may see the great Achilles whom I had encountered during the Trojan war. Though we have lost much, there is still much to be endured. Although we don’t have the same strength that we had in the past yet we are what we are yet we have the same temper of a young and heroic heart. We have been made weak by time and fate but we are strong in will to strive to seek and discover new lands without yielding to adverse circumstances.
Critical Analysis
Ulysses says that he and his companions may be overcome by the dangers of the sea. While it is also possible that they reach the Happy Isles or they may get a chance to see great Achilles with whom he had encountered during the Trojan war. The author gives allusion to Happy Isles, Achilles and the Trojan war. Although they have been made weak by time and fate yet they possess strong will power to seek and strive. A contrast is employed between the strength of young age and the strength that they have now besides “made weak by time and fate but strong in will”. It also presents an oxymoron by juxtaposing weakness and strength. The poem ends with a parallelism “to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield” The overall theme of the poem centers around pursuit for adventure and knowledge despite the inevitable challenges of time.
Introduction to Ulysses
The essence of Tennyson's "Ulysses" stands in stark contrast to the prevailing sentiment found in "The Lotos-Eaters." Through this dramatic monologue, much like "Sir Galahad," Tennyson unveils a distinct character rather than his own voice. Ulysses becomes a vivid embodiment of the antithesis to the languor depicted in "The Lotos-Eaters." This poem encapsulates the Renaissance spirit - akin to Leonardo da Vinci's temperament - which fueled explorations of land, sea, and beyond. It embodies an unwavering thirst for truth, a fervent drive for adventure, and the scientific curiosity of modernity. The setting acquires significance in this dramatic monologue, underscoring the speaker's nature. While Homer's Odyssey leaves Ulysses alive upon his return, Tennyson masterfully adapts Dante's Inferno XXVI, infusing his own imaginative details and influences from Homer and Virgil. The style mirrors Ulysses' educated demeanor - succinct, impactful, and unembellished, devoid of the lush imagery found in "The Lotos-Eaters." Thought-wise, this might be Tennyson's paramount poem, yet it defies didacticism. Tennyson's brilliance lies in crafting a language with an epigrammatic essence, the ideal conduit for a soul perpetually stirred by the allure of the unknown, ceaselessly beckoning towards action.
Critical Appreciation of Ulysses
"Ulysses" by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a compelling reflection of the human spirit's quest for purpose, penned shortly after Arthur Hallam's death in 1842. Its origin lies in Tennyson's personal urgency for action and life, expressed through the voice of Ulysses. The poem encapsulates a Renaissance fervor for knowledge and adventure, epitomizing mankind's pursuit of a 'newer world.'
Structured as a dramatic monologue, the poem reveals inner thoughts and feelings of its imagined character, Ulysses. It merges personal and impersonal expressions to clarify intentions, rather than showcase conflict. "Ulysses" seamlessly bridges classical antiquity with modernity, using Ulysses as a symbol of scientific curiosity and intellectual adventure. This hero's yearning to explore mirrors the universal human drive for optimism, courage, and growth.
Tennyson employs vivid language and allusions to Homer's Odyssey and Dante's Inferno. The poem's imagery underscores Ulysses' determined mindset, while the absence of ornamentation reflects his practical nature. Ulysses personifies the desire to continue seeking despite age, urging humanity to strive, seek, and find.
This poetic masterpiece offers a timeless portrayal of human ambition and courage. Ulysses' characterization captures his indomitable spirit, shared by his mariners. Tennyson's picturesque descriptions immerse readers in a sea-faring atmosphere, evoking Greek mythology and heroes.
"Ulysses" stands in stark contrast to Tennyson's "The Lotos-Eaters," promoting action over lethargy. It explores the contrast between pessimism and the call for meaningful achievements.
In terms of form, Tennyson's use of blank verse lends gravity and solemnity. The poem's rhythm is slow and deliberate, akin to epic and Shakespearean works.
In essence, "Ulysses" resonates as a testament to the relentless human pursuit of knowledge, adventure, and purpose. Its enduring appeal rests in its portrayal of courage, making it an eternal source of inspiration.
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