'Ulysses' by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Matched 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 enjoyed
Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when
Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vest 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 honoured of them all;
And drunk delight of battle with my peers;
Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.
I am part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough
Gleams that untravelled world, whose margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!
As though to breath were life. Life piled on life
Were all to 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 scepter and the isle—
Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfill
This labour, by slow prudence to make mild
A rugged people, and through soft degrees
Subdue them to the useful and the good.
Most blameless is he, centered 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 toiled, 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 had 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 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.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in the 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.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to journey through life without ever feeling satisfied, then Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson is the poem for you. This is a poem that speaks to the heart of restlessness, to the desire to explore, to the need for adventure, and to the yearning for something more. But it is also a poem about aging, about the inevitability of change, and about the wisdom that comes with experience.
The narrative of Ulysses
The poem Ulysses is a dramatic monologue in blank verse. It is based on the narrative of Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin), the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, who goes on a ten-year journey after the Trojan War. The poem begins with Ulysses, now an old man, reflecting on his past adventures and lamenting his current dull and uneventful life. He is filled with a sense of restlessness and a desire to embark on yet another journey, to experience new things, to meet new people, and to live a life of adventure until the end of his days.
The theme of Ulysses
The theme of Ulysses is the human desire for adventure and the restlessness that comes with it. It is a theme that resonates with many of us, as we all have moments when we feel dissatisfied with our current lives and long for something more. Tennyson captures this sense of restlessness brilliantly through Ulysses, who represents not only the desire for adventure but also the human desire for meaning and purpose in life.
The use of language in Ulysses
One of the most striking things about Ulysses is Tennyson's use of language. The poem is written in blank verse, which gives it a natural and conversational flow. The language is also very descriptive, with vivid imagery that brings the poem to life. For example, in the opening lines, Tennyson describes Ulysses as "an idle king, /with rusty mail against a paltry foe."
The use of language in Ulysses is also very musical. Tennyson uses a lot of alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme to create a rhythmic and melodic effect. For example, in the lines "To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths / Of all the western stars, until I die," the repetition of the "s" sound creates a soothing and hypnotic effect.
The character of Ulysses
Ulysses is a complex character. On the one hand, he is a hero, a warrior, and a leader who has achieved great things in his life. On the other hand, he is also a restless soul, a dreamer, and a wanderer who is never satisfied with what he has. He is a man who is always looking for something more, always seeking new adventures, and always questioning the meaning of his life.
The character of Ulysses is also a representation of the human desire for adventure and the restless spirit that comes with it. He represents the part of us that wants to explore, to push boundaries, to take risks, and to live life to the fullest. But he also represents the part of us that is never satisfied, that is always looking for something more, and that is always questioning the meaning and purpose of our lives.
The message of Ulysses
The message of Ulysses is that life is a journey, not a destination. It is a message that reminds us to enjoy the journey, to savor the moments, and to make the most of every experience. It is a message that encourages us to be adventurous, to take risks, and to embrace the unknown. It is a message that reminds us that life is short and that we should make the most of every moment.
But the message of Ulysses is also a warning. It is a warning that we should not be too restless, too adventurous, or too obsessed with the unknown. It is a warning that we should not lose sight of what is important in life, that we should not forget our responsibilities, and that we should not neglect our loved ones.
The interpretation of Ulysses
The interpretation of Ulysses is a matter of perspective. Some may see Ulysses as a hero, a symbol of courage and adventure. Others may see him as a fool, a symbol of recklessness and selfishness. Still, others may see him as a tragic figure, a symbol of the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.
But regardless of how one interprets Ulysses, there is no denying that the poem is a masterpiece of literature. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience, a poem that captures the essence of what it means to be human. It is a poem that reminds us of our potential, our limitations, and our mortality. And it is a poem that inspires us to live life to the fullest, to embrace the journey, and to make the most of every moment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a powerful and timeless poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It is a poem that reminds us of our potential, our limitations, and our mortality. It is a poem that inspires us to live life to the fullest, to embrace the journey, and to make the most of every moment. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ulysses: A Poem of Adventure and Restlessness
Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Ulysses" is a poem that speaks to the human desire for adventure and the restlessness that comes with age. The poem is a monologue spoken by the legendary Greek hero, Ulysses, as he reflects on his life and his desire to continue exploring the world. The poem is a celebration of the human spirit and the desire to live life to the fullest.
The poem begins with Ulysses expressing his dissatisfaction with his current life. He is no longer content with ruling his kingdom and desires to set sail once again. He longs for the excitement and adventure of his youth, and he is determined to find it once again. He says, "I cannot rest from travel: I will drink / Life to the lees: All times I have enjoyed / Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those / That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when / Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades / Vexed the dim sea."
Ulysses' desire for adventure is not just a desire for excitement, but it is also a desire for personal growth. He believes that he has not yet reached his full potential and that there is still much to learn and discover. He says, "I am a part of all that I have met; / Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough / Gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades / Forever and forever when I move."
Ulysses' desire for adventure is also a desire to escape the mundane and the routine. He is tired of the day-to-day responsibilities of ruling his kingdom and desires to break free from the monotony. He says, "How dull it is to pause, to make an end, / To rust unburnished, not to shine in use! / As though to breathe were life!"
Ulysses' desire for adventure is not just a desire for personal growth and escape, but it is also a desire to inspire others. He believes that his adventures can serve as an example to others and that he can inspire them to live life to the fullest. He says, "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
The poem is a celebration of the human spirit and the desire to live life to the fullest. It is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it. Ulysses' desire for adventure and personal growth is something that we can all relate to. We all have a desire to break free from the routine and to discover new things. We all have a desire to be inspired and to inspire others.
The poem is also a celebration of the power of language. Tennyson's use of language is masterful, and he is able to convey Ulysses' desire for adventure and personal growth in a way that is both powerful and inspiring. The poem is a testament to the power of language to move and inspire us.
In conclusion, "Ulysses" is a poem that speaks to the human desire for adventure and the restlessness that comes with age. It is a celebration of the human spirit and the desire to live life to the fullest. It is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it. Tennyson's use of language is masterful, and he is able to convey Ulysses' desire for adventure and personal growth in a way that is both powerful and inspiring. The poem is a testament to the power of language to move and inspire us.
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