Ulysses

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Full Name and Titles:
o Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, FRS.
o Commonly known as "Tennyson" or "Lord Tennyson."
Life Details:
o Born: 6 August 1809, Somersby, Lincolnshire, England.
o Died: 6 October 1892 (aged 83), Lurgashall, Sussex, England.
o Resting place: Westminster Abbey.
o Spouse: Emily Sellwood (married 1850).
o Children: Hallam Tennyson (2nd Baron Tennyson) and Lionel Tennyson.
Education:
o Studied at Trinity College, Cambridge (did not complete a degree).
Literary Contributions:
o Early Works:
▪ Awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge in 1829 for "Timbuktu."
▪ Published his first solo collection, Poems, Chiefly Lyrical (1830), featuring
"Claribel" and "Mariana."
o Notable Poems:
▪ Short lyrics: "Break, Break, Break," "The Charge of the Light Brigade,"
"Tears, Idle Tears," "Crossing the Bar."
▪ Classical mythology-inspired: "Ulysses," "The Lotos-Eaters."
▪ In Memoriam A.H.H., a tribute to his friend Arthur Hallam.
▪ Blank verse works: Idylls of the King, "Ulysses," and "Tithonus."
o Drama: Attempted writing plays, but they were not successful.
Recognition:
o Ninth most frequently quoted writer in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.
Early Education:
o Attended King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth, from 1816 to 1820.
University Life:
o Enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1827.
o Became a member of the Cambridge Apostles, a secret intellectual society.
o Trinity College houses a portrait of Tennyson by George Frederic Watts.
Friendships at Cambridge:
o Met Arthur Hallam and William Henry Brookfield, who became his closest
friends.
First Publication:
o Published Poems by Two Brothers in 1827, a collection of poems by Tennyson and
his elder brother Charles.
Chancellor's Gold Medal:
o Awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge in 1829 for his poem
"Timbuktu"—a prestigious achievement for a 20-year-old.
First Solo Collection:
o Published Poems Chiefly Lyrical in 1830, which included celebrated works such as
"Claribel" and "Mariana".
o While some critics found the poems overly sentimental, they gained popularity and
attracted the attention of notable writers, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Second Publication (1833):
o Published his second book of poetry, including the first version of "The Lady of
Shalott".
o The collection faced harsh criticism, discouraging Tennyson from publishing for the
next ten years, though he continued writing.
 o Hallam's sudden death from a cerebral hemorrhage deeply affected Tennyson and
inspired poems such as "In the Valley of Cauteretz" and "In Memoriam
A.H.H.".
Life in Epping Forest (1837):
o The Tennyson family relocated to Beech Hill Park, High Beach, in Epping Forest,
Essex.
o Tennyson enjoyed skating on a nearby pond and visiting London to meet friends but
avoided staying away long due to his mother’s fragile nerves.
o Became friends with Dr. Allen, who ran a local asylum and counted poet John
Clare among his patients.
Financial and Emotional Struggles:
o A poor investment in Dr. Allen's wood-carving enterprise caused significant
financial loss and led Tennyson into depression.
Friendship with Thomas Carlyle (1839):
o Met Thomas Carlyle, beginning a lifelong friendship.
o The two shared intellectual companionship, and Carlyle’s ideas influenced some of
Tennyson's works.
Move to London (1840):
o Relocated to Chapel House, Twickenham, marking the beginning of his time in
London.

Third Publication and Literary Success:

1. Poems (1842):
o Published a two-volume collection in London.
o First Volume: Included revised versions of earlier works.
o Second Volume: Consisted mostly of new poems.
o Achieved immediate success, with enduringly famous poems like:
▪ "Locksley Hall"
▪ "Break, Break, Break"
▪ "Ulysses"
▪ A revised version of "The Lady of Shalott".
2. The Princess: A Medley (1847):
o A satirical work on women's education that gained popularity for its lyrical quality.
o Inspired adaptations and parodies by W. S. Gilbert, notably The Princess (1870)
and Princess Ida (1884).

Pinnacle of His Career (1850):

1. Publication of "In Memoriam A.H.H.":

o Dedicated to Tennyson’s late friend, Arthur Hallam.
o Widely regarded as his masterpiece, it established his literary preeminence.
2. Poet Laureate Appointment:
o Succeeded William Wordsworth as Poet Laureate in 1850, marking his official
recognition as the foremost poet of his era.
3. Marriage to Emily Sellwood:
o Married on 13 June 1850 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire.
o Emily was his childhood acquaintance and lifelong companion.
4. Children:
o Had two sons:
▪ Hallam Tennyson (b. 11 August 1852), named after his late friend.
▪ Lionel Tennyson (b. 16 March 1854).
Later Life and Legacy:

1. Death:
oPassed away on 6 October 1892, aged 83, at Aldworth.
oBuried at Westminster Abbey.
oLast words: "Oh that press will have me now!"
2. Succession:
o His son, Hallam Tennyson, succeeded as 2nd Baron Tennyson.
o Hallam authored an authorized biography of Tennyson in 1897 and served as the
2nd Governor-General of Australia.

About The Poem

• Poem Title: Ulysses
• Written: 1833
• Published: 1842 in Tennyson's second volume of poetry
• Form: Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter)
• Type: Dramatic monologue

Themes and Content:

• Ulysses' Discontent: The poem explores Ulysses' restlessness and dissatisfaction with
life in Ithaca after his travels, yearning for adventure.
• Character of Ulysses: Ulysses struggles with the quiet life of a king and longs for
constant striving and new experiences.
• Famous Quote: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield,” exemplifies Ulysses'
relentless pursuit of meaning.
• Existential Yearning: Ulysses embodies a desire to defy old age and death, refusing to
accept life's limitations.Literary Influences and Background:

References

• Mythological References: Tennyson draws from the ancient Greek myth of Odysseus
(Ulysses in Latin) as depicted in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey (c. 800–700 BC), focusing on
the post-return phase of his character.
• Dante’s Influence: Critics note that Tennyson’s Ulysses may be modeled more closely on
Dante’s portrayal of Ulisse in the Inferno (c. 1320), where Ulisse is condemned to Hell for
his quest for knowledge beyond human bounds and for his role in deceiving Troy through
the Trojan Horse.
• Existential Motive: The quest for knowledge and the drive to explore resonate with a
broader Victorian understanding of human restlessness and the desire to achieve greatness,
even at personal cost.

Key Points:

• Ulysses was written during a time of personal loss for Tennyson and reflects the poet's own
struggles with aging, the quest for meaning, and the limitations imposed by time.
• Tennyson's Ulysses is torn between his responsibilities as a ruler and his intense longing for
adventure, creating a complex portrait of a man facing his existential dilemma.
• The poem’s appeal lies in its exploration of the human condition: the desire to continue
striving for greatness even when faced with the constraints of age and family life.
Form:

• Blank Verse: The poem consists of seventy lines of blank verse, presented as a dramatic
monologue.
• Dramatic Monologue Structure: Ulysses’ speech may not be directed to a clear audience.
Some interpretations suggest the poem begins as a soliloquy, then shifts into a public
address, and later moves to a conversation with his mariners.

Publication History of Ulysses:

• Completion: Tennyson completed the poem on October 20, 1833.

• Publication: It was not published until 1842 in Tennyson's second collection of Poems.
• Revisions: Unlike many of Tennyson's other significant poems, Ulysses was not revised
after its publication.

Structure:

• Original Structure: Tennyson originally drafted the poem in four paragraphs, with breaks
before lines 6, 33, and 44.
• Thematic Parallelism: The first and third paragraphs are thematically parallel, but they
can be read as interior and exterior monologues, respectively.
• Publication Format: In many printings of the poem, the first paragraph break is omitted,
resulting in a continuous flow of thought.

Autobiographical Elements:

• Loss of Arthur Henry Hallam: Tennyson wrote Ulysses after the devastating death of his
close friend and fellow poet, Arthur Henry Hallam (1811–1833). Hallam's death deeply
affected Tennyson, as they had shared a strong emotional bond, discussing poetry and
philosophy, and travelling together.

Literary Context:

• Homeric Influence: Tennyson’s Ulysses draws from Homer’s Odyssey, particularly the
prophecy of Tiresias, where Ulysses is foretold to return to Ithaca and then embark on a
final, mysterious journey.
• Dante’s Inferno and Shakespeare’s Influence: Tennyson was influenced by Dante’s
treatment of Ulysses in the Inferno, where the hero is condemned for misusing his gift of
reason in pursuit of adventure at the expense of his duties. This is reflected in Tennyson’s
Ulysses, whose yearning for knowledge and adventure mirrors the desire for transcendence
and defiance of age. Additionally, Tennyson’s lines echo Shakespeare's Troilus and
Cressida, particularly Ulysses' advocacy for perseverance and action.
• The Final Lines: Tennyson's closing lines, "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield,"
have been compared to Dante's portrayal of Ulysses, who urges his men on a final voyage.
Critics suggest that the speech could be interpreted as Ulysses’ recollection from the
afterlife, especially considering the tension between the Homeric and Dantesque versions of
the character.
 Line By Line Analysis

Line 1. "It little profits that an idle king,"

• Ulysses starts by expressing frustration, saying it is not worthwhile for him to live idly as a
king.
• He refers to himself as "idle," indicating that he feels unproductive and dissatisfied with his
current life.
Line 2. "By this still hearth, among these barren crags,"
• He describes himself as stuck near a "still hearth" (a quiet, unmoving fireplace),
symbolizing stagnation.
• "Barren crags" refers to the rocky, unremarkable landscape of Ithaca, further emphasizing
his boredom and unhappiness.
Line 3. "Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and dole"
• Ulysses mentions his wife, Penelope, describing her as "aged," reflecting his own aging.
• "Mete and dole" means he spends his time giving out or managing resources, which he finds
dull and uninspiring.
Line 4. "Unequal laws unto a savage race,"
• He criticizes his people, calling them a "savage race" who are uncultured and lack
understanding of his nature.
• "Unequal laws" suggests he is ruling over people who do not share his vision or values,
making his role as king feel meaningless.
Line 5. "That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me."
• Ulysses describes his people as animalistic, focusing only on basic needs like hoarding,
sleeping, and eating.
• He feels alienated, emphasizing that they "know not me"—they do not truly understand who
he is or what he stands for.
Line 6: "I cannot rest from travel:"
• Ulysses expresses that he cannot stop traveling and exploring.
• He feels restless and can’t be content with staying in one place.
• His desire for adventure is a part of his identity.
Line 7: "I will drink Life to the lees:"
• Ulysses wants to experience life to the fullest, not missing out on anything.
• The phrase "drink life to the lees" refers to savoring every last drop, similar to drinking the
last bit of wine from a cup.
• He’s determined to get every bit of excitement and meaning from life.
Lines 8-9: "All times I have enjoy'd / Greatly, have suffer'd greatly, both with those"
• Ulysses reflects on his life of adventures.
• He acknowledges that while he suffered during his travels, he also enjoyed them deeply.
• These experiences were intense—both the good and the bad.
Line 9-10: "That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when Thro' scudding drifts the rainy
Hyades / Vext the dim sea:"
• Ulysses contrasts his life of adventure with being back home.
• He recalls his companions (those who loved him) and also the times when he was alone.
• He remembers facing harsh conditions during his journeys, symbolized by the "rainy
Hyades" (a star cluster associated with storms).
 • These memories of challenges show that, even in difficulty, he found meaning in his travels.
Line 11: "I am become a name;"
• Ulysses says he has turned into a well-known figure.
• He is famous because of all his adventures and travels.
Line 12: "For always roaming with a hungry heart"
• Ulysses has always been on the move, searching for something.
• He has a deep desire or "hunger" inside him, not for food, but for experiences, knowledge,
and adventure.
Line 13: "Much have I seen and known; cities of men"
• He has traveled a lot and experienced many different places.
• He’s seen many cities and the way people live in different parts of the world.
Line 14: "And manners, climates, councils, governments,"
• Ulysses has encountered various cultures, climates, and forms of government.
• He's learned a great deal about how different societies function.
Line 15: "Myself not least, but honour'd of them all;"
• Among all the people and cultures he has encountered, Ulysses is not the least important. In
fact, he is honored and respected by them.
Line 16: "And drunk delight of battle with my peers,"
• Ulysses took great pleasure in fighting battles, particularly in the Trojan War, where he
fought alongside other heroes.
• The word "drunk" suggests he was deeply absorbed or intoxicated by the thrill of battle.
Line 17: "Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy."
• This refers to the famous battlefields of Troy, where Ulysses fought.
• The sound of the battle, described as "ringing," suggests the clash of weapons was so intense
it echoed like music. "Far" emphasizes how far away these adventures were from his home.

Line 18: "I am a part of all that I have met;"

• Ulysses reflects on his life, saying that his experiences have shaped who he is.
• The people, places, and events he's encountered have all become part of him, and he has left
a piece of himself with them too.
Line 19: "Yet all experience is an arch wherethro' / Gleams that untravell'd world"
• Ulysses sees his past experiences as a bridge or gateway ("arch") leading him to more
possibilities and adventures ("untravell'd world").
• His past is not an end, but a path to future exploration.
• The "untravell'd world" represents the unknown experiences still ahead of him, which excite
him.
Line 20: "whose margin fades / For ever and forever when I move."
• The "margin" refers to the horizon or edge of the world.
• As Ulysses moves forward, the horizon keeps fading, meaning no matter how far he goes,
there is always more to explore, and the world keeps expanding.
• This idea reflects Ulysses's endless desire for exploration and discovery.
Line 21: "How dull it is to pause, to make an end,"
• Ulysses expresses frustration with the idea of stopping or settling down. He sees it as boring
and unsatisfying.
• The act of pausing in life seems dull to him compared to the excitement of moving forward.
Line 22: "To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!"
 • Ulysses compares a life of inactivity to a weapon that rusts when it’s not used.
• Just like a weapon needs to be sharpened and used to be valuable, Ulysses believes a life
must be lived actively to have meaning.
• He implies that a life spent doing nothing is wasted and dull.
Line 23: "As tho' to breathe were life!"
• Ulysses is rejecting the idea that merely being alive, or "breathing," is enough.
• He argues that life should be full of action, purpose, and challenges, not just mere existence.
• He believes true life comes from living with vigor and pursuing significant, adventurous
experiences.
Line 24: "Life piled on life"
• Ulysses feels that even if he had multiple lifetimes, it would still not be enough for him to
accomplish everything he dreams of.
• The repetition of the word "life" emphasizes his desire for more time to live fully.
Line 25: "Were all too little, and of one to me / Little remains:"
• Despite the idea of many lifetimes, Ulysses feels that his remaining time is limited and
precious.
• He feels that there is very little time left to achieve the greatness he seeks.
Line 26: "but every hour is saved / From that eternal silence, something more,"
• Ulysses sees every remaining hour of his life as an opportunity to do something meaningful.
• "Eternal silence" refers to death, which he sees as the absence of life and action.
• He believes that each hour he lives brings a chance to do "something more" before he dies.
Line 27: "A bringer of new things;"
• Every moment alive is like a messenger that brings new experiences, adventures, or
opportunities.
• Ulysses is determined to make use of the time he has left to discover new things, whether
they are personal or beyond what has been done before.
Line 28: "and vile it were"
• Ulysses condemns the idea of living a life focused solely on preservation as "vile" or
disgraceful.
• He believes a life spent only hoarding or surviving without purpose is morally corrupt.
Line 29: "For some three suns to store and hoard myself,"
• "Some three suns" refers to a brief period of time (about three years).
• Ulysses imagines a life where he simply preserves his existence rather than living actively
and meaningfully.
Line 30: "And this gray spirit yearning in desire"
• Ulysses refers to himself as a "gray spirit," indicating his old age and spiritual nature rather
than focusing on his aging body.
• His "yearning in desire" highlights his intense longing for adventure, knowledge, and
exploration.
Line 31: "To follow knowledge like a sinking star,"
• Compares the pursuit of knowledge to a "sinking star," implying an unreachable or distant
goal.
• The metaphor suggests Ulysses’s ambition, but also the recklessness of chasing something
that may lead to failure or danger.
Line 32: "Beyond the utmost bound of human thought."
• Ulysses desires to explore intellectual and philosophical frontiers beyond the limits of
current human understanding.
• This line reflects his goal of intellectual growth and discovery, surpassing what has been
thought or known.
Line 33: "This is my son, mine own Telemachus,"
 • Ulysses introduces his son, Telemachus, affirming his deep personal connection.
• The phrase "mine own" emphasizes possession and affection, showing Ulysses's pride in
Telemachus.
Line 34: "To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,"
• Ulysses acknowledges that Telemachus will inherit the rule of Ithaca after his death,
symbolized by the "sceptre."
• This line marks the transfer of power and responsibility to his son.
Line 35: "Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfil"
• Ulysses expresses affection for his son, though the passive construction ("well-loved of
me") subtly distances Ulysses from this act of love.
• Telemachus is described as having "discernment" (wisdom and insight), indicating that
Ulysses respects his son's judgment.
Line 36: "This labour, by slow prudence to make mild"
• Telemachus is tasked with a challenging responsibility to improve the people of Ithaca, but
he will do so with "slow prudence"—thoughtful, careful action.
• The "labour" refers to Telemachus's work of guiding the people patiently, without haste.
Line 37: "A rugged people, and thro' soft degrees"
• Telemachus must lead a "rugged people," suggesting that the inhabitants of Ithaca are rough
or unruly.
• The phrase "thro' soft degrees" highlights the gradual and gentle approach Telemachus will
take in transforming the people.
Line 38: "Subdue them to the useful and the good."
• Telemachus's goal is to "subdue" the people not through force or violence but by guiding
them toward what is "useful and good"—moral and productive behavior.
• Ulysses envisions a softer, more measured leadership for Telemachus, focused on moral
improvement rather than conquest.

Line 39: "Most blameless is he, centred in the sphere"

• Ulysses describes Telemachus as being "most blameless," meaning he is a good and virtuous
person who does not make mistakes or act dishonorably.
• Telemachus focuses on doing things right, staying within the boundaries of what is
acceptable.
Line 40: "Of common duties, decent not to fail"
• Telemachus is someone who performs the regular, everyday duties expected of him, like a
ruler would.
• He does his responsibilities well and doesn’t fail in his duties, but Ulysses hints that he
doesn't go beyond what's expected. He’s decent and reliable but not necessarily
extraordinary.
Line 41: "In offices of tenderness, and pay"
• Telemachus also does things that show care, such as performing acts of kindness and paying
respect to others, including giving proper worship to their household gods.
• He is responsible in these ways as well, fulfilling his role as a man of his society.
Line 42: "Meet adoration to my household gods, When I am gone."
• Ulysses believes that Telemachus will continue to show the proper respect and devotion to
their family gods even after Ulysses is gone.
• This is part of the "common duties" Telemachus performs as a good, responsible man.
Line 43: "He works his work, I mine."
• Here, Ulysses sums up the difference between himself and Telemachus. Telemachus does his
job—being a ruler, following his duties and responsibilities—but Ulysses sees his own
purpose in life as different.
 • Ulysses is focused on adventure, exploring, and seeking glory, while Telemachus is focused
on fulfilling his domestic and political duties.
Line 44: "There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail:"
• Ulysses looks towards the port (the harbor) where the ship is ready.
• The ship is about to set sail, and the sails are being filled with wind, symbolizing the start of
a new journey.
Line 45: "There gloom the dark, broad seas."
• Ulysses looks out at the sea, which appears dark and vast.
• The "gloom" suggests uncertainty, danger, or mystery, but also the unknown adventure that
awaits him.
Line 46: "My mariners, Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and thought with me—"
• Ulysses speaks to his loyal sailors, who have worked hard, battled, and thought alongside
him in the past.
• He emphasizes their mental strength ("thought") as well as their physical strength ("toil'd"
and "wrought"). He addresses them as "Souls," highlighting their nobility and inner
qualities.
Line 47: "That ever with a frolic welcome took"
• These sailors were always ready to take on any challenge with a cheerful and adventurous
spirit ("frolic welcome").
• They didn't fear difficulty or danger, but embraced it with excitement.
Line 48: "The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed"
• The sailors were willing to face both stormy, dangerous weather ("thunder") and calm,
bright days ("sunshine").
• They didn't shy away from either, showing their bravery and resilience.
Line 49: "Free hearts, free foreheads"
• Ulysses describes his sailors as having "free hearts" and "free foreheads."
• This means they were brave, noble, and followed him by their own choice, not because they
were forced.
• They had the courage and independence to face challenges willingly, with no fear or
hesitation.
Line 49: "you and I are old;"
• Ulysses admits that both he and his sailors have grown old.
• It’s a simple and direct statement, acknowledging the passage of time.
Line 50: "Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;"
• Despite their age, Ulysses believes that they can still have honor and work to do.
• "Honor" means respect and recognition, and "toil" means hard work. Even in old age, they
can still achieve something meaningful.
Line 51: "Death closes all:"
• Ulysses acknowledges the reality of death. It is inevitable and will bring an end to
everything. This is a grim reminder of mortality.
Line 52: "but something ere the end,"
• However, before death comes, Ulysses believes that there is still time for them to achieve
something important, something worth doing.
• The word "ere" means "before," emphasizing that there is still a little time left.
Line 53: "Some work of noble note, may yet be done,"
 • Ulysses is optimistic that they can still perform a great and noble deed before the end of
their lives.
• "Noble note" means something honorable or worthy of recognition.
Line 54: "The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:"
• As night falls, Ulysses notices the lights shining from the rocks.
• This signals the arrival of evening, which represents the later stages of life, much like old
age.
Line 55: "The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep Moans round with many
voices."
• The day is ending (the long day wanes), and the slow rise of the moon symbolizes the
passage of time.
• The sea "moans" and makes deep sounds, almost as if it is alive with voices, which could
suggest both the calmness of night and the calls of adventure or danger. The slow pace
reflects the feeling of aging.
Line 56: "Come, my friends, 'T is not too late to seek a newer world."
• Ulysses urges his friends to join him on one last adventure.
• Despite their age, he insists that it is still not too late to discover new places and
experiences, to find something new and meaningful.
Line 57: "Push off, and sitting well in order smite"
• Ulysses calls for action. He encourages his men to push the ship away from the shore and
get ready to row with energy, to "smite" or strike the waves as they begin their journey.
Line 58: "The sounding furrows;"
• The waves are referred to as "sounding furrows," connecting the motion of the sea to the
deep, powerful actions of the past, like the "ringing plains" of Troy, where Ulysses felt alive
and full of purpose.
• "Sounding" suggests that the waves are making noise, and "furrows" suggests the deep,
furrowed marks in the sea.
Line 59: "Tis not too late to seek a newer world."
• Ulysses repeats his earlier point, emphasizing that it is not too late for them to embark on a
new adventure.
• He believes that there is still time for a great journey, and that they can still find something
meaningful before their lives end.
Line 59: "for my purpose holds"
• Ulysses is explaining that his determination to fulfill his purpose, his desire to go on this
final voyage, is unshaken and strong. His purpose is what drives him forward.
Line 60: "To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths / Of all the western stars, until I die."
• Ulysses wants to sail beyond the sunset, past the farthest reaches of the known world. The
"baths of all the western stars" refer to the place where the setting sun and falling stars seem
to sink into the ocean at the horizon.
• He wants to go beyond the place where stars "bathe" in the ocean, until he dies. This
symbolizes a journey to the edge of the world and beyond, seeking the unknown.
Line 61: "It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:"
• Ulysses acknowledges the danger of the journey. "Gulfs" refer to the deep, vast areas of the
ocean.
• The phrase "wash us down" suggests that they might drown or be lost in the sea. He
recognizes the possibility that this voyage could lead to death.
Line 62: "It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we
knew."
• Ulysses is also imagining the rewards of their journey. "The Happy Isles" is a reference to
the mythological afterlife where heroes rest after death, a place of eternal peace and honor.
• Ulysses and his men may be able to reach this afterlife and meet Achilles, the legendary
warrior. Achilles is a figure they know from their past, as Ulysses fought alongside him in
the Trojan War.
• Ulysses imagines the possibility of meeting him again in the Happy Isles, either after they
die or, more fantastically, while still alive.
Line 63: "It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:"
• Ulysses repeats the earlier line about the danger, emphasizing the possibility of death, as if
to prepare his men for the worst outcome.
• By repeating this, he also shows that he is willing to face this danger in pursuit of his
purpose.
Line 64: "And see the great Achilles, whom we knew."
• Ulysses again references meeting Achilles, reinforcing the idea that their journey could lead
them to encounter the greatest of heroes, and that it would be worth it, even if they die,
because of the honor and glory they could achieve.
Line 65: "Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'"
• Ulysses is acknowledging that time and age have taken away a lot of things from him and
his crew.
• However, he immediately insists that despite these losses, much of their essence, their spirit,
and their worth remains intact.
• The word "much" is repeated here, highlighting the balance between loss and retention.
While they may have lost physical abilities, they still hold on to something important and
valuable.
Line 66: "We are not now that strength which in old days / Moved earth and heaven,"
• Ulysses admits that they no longer possess the same strength they had in their youth, the
kind of power that allowed them to perform incredible feats—like fighting great battles and
interacting with the gods.
• The "strength" he refers to is not just physical, but the kind of heroic vigor that made them
powerful in the past. He’s acknowledging that their abilities have diminished with age.
Line 67: "That which we are, we are;"
• Despite the loss of physical strength, Ulysses emphasizes that the essence of who they are—
their character, their spirit—remains unchanged.
• The phrase "that which we are, we are" stresses the permanence of their identity and the
qualities that define them. These are qualities beyond physical strength, qualities that are not
affected by time or age.
Line 68: "One equal temper of heroic hearts,"
• Ulysses is describing the unified spirit and determination of himself and his crew. The
phrase "one equal temper" suggests that, despite their individual differences, they share a
common, unwavering quality: their heroic hearts.
• This unity of purpose—driven by courage and resolve—is what makes them heroic, even in
their old age. The word "temper" also hints at the tested strength of their hearts, forged
through years of hardship.
Line 69: "Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will"
 • While acknowledging that they have been physically weakened by time and fate, Ulysses
emphasizes that their willpower remains strong.
• Time and fate may have diminished their physical abilities, but their resolve to keep striving,
seeking, and fighting is unbroken.
• The "strong in will" phrase is central to the poem, underscoring that their true strength lies
in their mental and spiritual determination rather than in their physical prowess.
Line 70: "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
• This final line explains the meaning of their strength of will. They are determined to
continue striving, seeking, and finding, regardless of the obstacles they face.
• These verbs create a sense of action and momentum, emphasizing their unrelenting pursuit
of their goals.
• The phrase "not to yield" is particularly significant because it highlights their refusal to give
up, even in the face of adversity. The use of "yield" suggests the possibility of failure or
surrender, but the negation of it ("not to yield") reinforces their resolve to persist despite
their weaknesses.

Poetical Devices
Metaphor:
A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things.
Where Metaphor appears in the poem:
Lines 6-7: “I will drink / Life to the lees”
Line 12: “hungry heart”
Line 16: “drunk delight of battle”
Line 17: “ringing plains of windy Troy”
Line 18: “I am a part of all that I have met”
Line 23: “To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!”
Lines 66-67: “We are not now that strength which in old days / Moved earth and heaven”

Synecdoche:

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole, or vice versa.

Where Synecdoche appears in the poem:

Lines 30-32: “And this gray spirit yearning in desire / To follow knowledge like a sinking star, /
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.”
Line 34: “the sceptre”
Lines 45-46: “My mariners, / Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and thought with me—”
Line 68: “One equal temper of heroic hearts,”

Understatement:
Understatement is a rhetorical device where something is intentionally presented as less
significant than it is.
Where Understatement appears in the poem:
Line 15: “Myself not least”
Line 39: “Most blameless is he”
 Line 40: “decent not to fail ”
Line 53: “Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods. ”

Diacope:
Diacope is the repetition of a word or phrase, separated by intervening words.
Where Diacope appears in the poem:
Line 8: “Greatly,” “greatly”
Line 21: “For ever,” “forever”
Line 24: “life,” “Life,” “life”
Line 25: “little”
Line 26: “Little”
Line 49: “old”
Line 50: “Old”
Line 65: “much,” “much”
Line 67: “we are,” “we are”

Simile:
A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."
Where Simile appears in the poem:
Lines 30-32: “And this gray spirit yearning in desire / To follow knowledge like a sinking star, /
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought. ”

Vocabulary
Crags (Line 2) - Steep, rugged rocks.
Mete (Line 3) - To deal out.
Dole (Line 3) - To give out, distribute.
Lees (Line 7) - The sediment left at the bottom of a vessel of wine or some other liquid. To "drink to
the lees" means to drink to the very last drop.
Scudding (Line 10) - Moving swiftly along the water.
Drifts (Line 10) - A rain shower driven by the wind.
Hyades (Line 10) - A cluster of stars located in the head of the constellation Taurus. In Greek
mythology, the Hyades were a group of nymphs who wept when their brother Hyas died and were
transformed into a group of stars that became associated with rain.
Vext (Line 11) - Troubled or disturbed.
Margin (Line 20) - An edge or boundary; the outermost part of something.
Unburnish’d (Line 23) - Not polished.
Vile (Line 28) - Disgraceful.
Suns (Line 29) - Years.
Sceptre (Line 34) - An ornamental rod used to signify kingship or rule.
Discerning (Line 35) - Working thoughtfully.

Prudence (Line 36) - Wise, sensible judgment.

Meet (Line 42) - Appropriate.

Wrought (Line 46) - Worked.
Frolic (Line 47) - Joyful.
Unbecoming (Line 53) - Not appropriate for.
Wanes (Line 55) - Grows dark.
Smite (Line 58) - Strike.
Sounding (Line 59) - Reverberating with sound.

Furrows (Line 59) - The tracks left by a ship over the sea.

Gulfs (Line 62) - Deep parts of the ocean.

Happy Isles (Line 63) - In Greek mythology, the place where the souls of blessed mortals go after
death (like the Christian notion of Heaven). Blessed mortals would include great warriors like
Achilles.
Achilles (Line 64) - The greatest warrior on the Greek side when the Greeks, including Ulysses,
fought the Trojans during the Trojan War.
Abides (Line 65) - Remains.
Temper (Line 68) - Character, especially a character that is balanced and composed.
to the very last drop.
Scudding (Line 10) - Moving swiftly along the water.
Drifts (Line 10) - A rain shower driven by the wind.
Hyades (Line 10) - A cluster of stars located in the head of the constellation Taurus. In Greek
mythology, the Hyades were a group of nymphs who wept when their brother Hyas died and were
transformed into a group of stars that became associated with rain.
Vext (Line 11) - Troubled or disturbed.
Margin (Line 20) - An edge or boundary; the outermost part of something.
Unburnish’d (Line 23) - Not polished.
Vile (Line 28) - Disgraceful.
Suns (Line 29) - Years.
Sceptre (Line 34) - An ornamental rod used to signify kingship or rule.
Discerning (Line 35) - Working thoughtfully. Prudence (Line 36) - Wise, sensible
judgment. Meet (Line 42) - Appropriate.

Wrought (Line 46) - Worked.

Frolic (Line 47) - Joyful.
Unbecoming (Line 53) - Not appropriate for.
Wanes (Line 55) - Grows dark.
Smite (Line 58) - Strike.
Sounding (Line 59) - Reverberating with sound. Furrows (Line 59) - The tracks left by a ship
over the sea. Gulfs (Line 62) - Deep parts of the ocean.
Happy Isles (Line 63) - In Greek mythology, the place where the souls of blessed mortals go after
death (like the Christian notion of Heaven). Blessed mortals would include great warriors like
Achilles.
Achilles (Line 64) - The greatest warrior on the Greek side when the Greeks, including Ulysses,
fought the Trojans during the Trojan War.
Abides (Line 65) - Remains.
Temper (Line 68) - Character, especially a character that is balanced and composed.