Ulysses Tennyson B.A Part II English Elective By Jaspreet Kaur

Alfred Tennyson 1809-1892 Born in Linconshire, England. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. First major work: “In Memoriam” written after the death of dear friend Arthur Hallam in 1833.

Introduction to the poem Ulysses: a legendary Greek warrior ( battle of Troy ), King of Ithaca. Ulysses’ journey after the battle lasted 10 years. The poem shows the restlessness of Ulysses; compares his past life of excitement with the present one as king. Ulysses is old, wants to travel again. His son, efficient but lacks his father’s thirst for experience.

Lines 1-4 Ulysses dissatisfied with his life as king. Gets no joy out of administering justice to “savage” people who know only how to eat, sleep, hoard money. “Still heart”, “barren crag” convey emptiness.

Lines 5-18 Ulysses remembers his past life. Had enjoyed and suffered both with other people and alone, on shore and at sea. Had travelled far and wide, met many people, seen many cities, all this now is a part of him. Wants to experience life to its fullest- drink it to the last drop.

Lines 19-21 Visually powerful image. Experience is an archway through which the world can be seen, waiting to be explored . As one moves into it, its limits get further and further away so that the world becomes endless.

Lines 22-32 Breathing alone does not make life, resting is the same as getting rusted. Every hour is precious- saves from death and brings new experience. The word “hoard” conveys contempt.

Lines 33-43 Telemachus- a good son and ruler. The contrast between father and son is striking: the son is efficient but dull; the father is the eternal adventurer hungry for new challenges.

Lines 44-56 Already, Ulysses’ mind is at the port with the ship ready for sail. Thinks of the sailors who welcomed good days and bad, sunshine and thunder with the same joy. Beautiful image of the day coming to an end; creatures of the sea heard in their many voices.

Lines 57-70 Ulysses makes up his mind. To push forward to the Western end (people believed the western horizon to be the end of the world). Knows he is no longer physically young and strong but is still young in will power and the spirit to fight. Old age is not the time for rest and reflection but a time to seek more challenges.

Vocabulary Hearth: fireside Mete: measure out Dole: distribute Mariners: sailors Toiled: worked hard Strove: struggled Ere: before

Telemachus and Ulysses are contrasting characters Telemachus and Ulysses are contrasting characters. Telemachus is efficient , dutiful but dull. Ulysses is restless and cannot stay in one place. Which character do you admire and why? Prepared by: Jaspreet Kaur Associate Professor Dept. of English PGGC-11, Chd.