Poem "Lines From Ulysses"

Questions & Answers

Q1:   What is the message of the poem?

The message of the poem is that old age is no reason for regret. We may weak physically. But we are strong in will and determination. And where there is a will, there is a way.

Q2:   Explain the assertion that Ulysses symbolizes the human sprit at its bravest and strongest.

There is no doubt that the old Ulysses is symbol of an ideal hero. The way is urges his old companions to precede on one more journey of exploration and discovery, shows his courage and will power. He is a symbol for all humanity, at its bravest and strongest.

Q3:   What does the part mean by, “My purpose holds, to sail beyond the sun set and the bath”?

Ulysses in this line, gives a clear message to his companions that he intends to sail beyond the horizon, where the sun setting. Or till the point (endless) where he could see the reflection of the stars, bathing in the sea.

Q4:   What does the line, “Come my friends, this not too late to seek a newer world”, means?

This line shows Ulysses impatience, to start the journey. He is eager to discover new places and urges his friends, to hurry up, as it is not too late. As the sun had not set yet. It was still bright enough to start their journey. It also means that they were not too old, to stop them from another journey.

Summary

Introduction of the Poet

Lord Alfred Tennyson occupies a very important and prominent position in the domain of English Literature. He is the representative poet of Victorian era. He is a prolific poet and has composed a number of poems. Tennyson’s poetry is rich in imagery as that of keats but it lacks the romantic fine of Words Worth and Coleridge.

Introduction of the Poem

Ulysses is a long, magnificent, symbolical and moral boosting poem. The poem is written in the dramatic monologues of the powerful blank verse and tells the story of the most prudent and bravest of the Greek heroes, Ulysses of Homer’s Odyssey. He is the symbol of adventurous spirit, indomitable courage, inexhaustible zeal; unflinching faith; unshakable determination and unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Ulysses wants to set out on a journey of discovery because he believes that it is not too late to find a New World.

Summary

Ulysses was a Greek hero and the King of Ithaca. He had spent most of his life in voyages and was always filled with the spirit of ventures and courage. His life was based on the principle of struggle and courage.

In this speech, Ulysses pays high tribute to his mariners who laboured and worked with him. He reminded them of the past endeavors and motivated them to get prepared for another voyage. Ulysses believed that struggle should continue as long as they lived. They had to prove their eagerness, enthusiasm and the ability to fight even with deities Ulysses invited his sailors to set off for another voyage in the hope of discovering new land in the far west. He was conscious of the dangers and hazards involved in such an exploitation but he was prepared to meet all the challenges.

Ulysses admitted that with the passage of time, the major part of their lives and much of their energies have been used up and they had grown weaker. But their determination was as strong as ever and they do not find them selves lacking in strength and vitality. They find themselves still a force to reckon with. They are always bent upon making ceaseless efforts to discover new lands, and under no circumstances, giving up their struggle until ultimate success is achieved.

Moral

“Struggle is the father of all things … it is not by the principles of humanity that man lives or is able to preserve himself above the animal world, but solely by means of the most brutal struggle.”

- Adolf Hitler