ULYSSES (SUMMARY)
by Tennyson
by Tennyson
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ULYSSES is the Roman name of famous the Greek hero Odysseus. He is the hero of Homer's epic Odyssey. He was the king of Ithaca, an island located in the Ionian Sea.
To write the poem 'Ulysses', Tennyson expresses his indebtedness to Dante’s ‘’Divine Comedy’’[1265-1321][Inferno xxvi] and Homer’s ’Odyssey’ ix[100-137] for his source.Ulysses is a painted character of Tennyson in this poem. He is a man of Victorian spirit. This period is full of restless curiosity. People wanted to know more. Their thirst for knowledge is infinite. Ulysses also wants to take an active part in the expeditions. He always wants to know more even in his old age.
According to Ulysses,’’I cannot rest from travel: I will drink life to the lees……’’
To write the poem 'Ulysses', Tennyson expresses his indebtedness to Dante’s ‘’Divine Comedy’’[1265-1321][Inferno xxvi] and Homer’s ’Odyssey’ ix[100-137] for his source.Ulysses is a painted character of Tennyson in this poem. He is a man of Victorian spirit. This period is full of restless curiosity. People wanted to know more. Their thirst for knowledge is infinite. Ulysses also wants to take an active part in the expeditions. He always wants to know more even in his old age.
According to Ulysses,’’I cannot rest from travel: I will drink life to the lees……’’
This poem is a perfect example
of a dramatic monologue based on the life and adventures of Ulysses, a legendary
Greek warrior.He is also an important warriors
who fights in the battle of Troy. Ulysses ,son of Laertes, was the king
of the barren and rocky island of Ithaca whose motto is to ‘’Strive, to seek,
to find and not to yield.’’ To him
knowledge is limitless and infinite. One life is not sufficient to gather all
knowledge. Life piled on life are too little to achieve it. Even old age is not
age of retirement but to achieve new goal.
As Ulysses is a man of action
he does not want to rule among the
uncivilized people of Ithaca. He wants
to take part more in adventure and battle. His spirit remains dissatisfied. He
had traveled extensively and came across various types of people with various
customs, manners, and governments. He is the representative of Victorian
spirit. He has lost his vigour and strength
but kept his same heart full of will force. Moreover he wants to leave the
scepter in charge of his son Telemachus,-------
''This is my son, mine own Telemachus, To whom I leave the scepter and the isle—well-loved of me,discerning to fulfill...''
He is very prudent, wise and also responsible and dutiful to serve his kingdom.Then he inspires his old companions to go beyond the Western horizon and reach the happy Isles to meet Achilles. It may be that they would die in this adventure. But before that the will strive,seek,find and not to yield.
‘’Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
''This is my son, mine own Telemachus, To whom I leave the scepter and the isle—well-loved of me,discerning to fulfill...''
He is very prudent, wise and also responsible and dutiful to serve his kingdom.Then he inspires his old companions to go beyond the Western horizon and reach the happy Isles to meet Achilles. It may be that they would die in this adventure. But before that the will strive,seek,find and not to yield.
‘’Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield’’
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