[121] Ulysses

    It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Match'd 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 enjoy'd
Greatly, have suffer'd greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when
Thro' scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vext 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 honour'd of them all;
And drunk delight of battle with my peers,
Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.
I am a part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethro'
Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades
For ever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!
As tho' to breathe were life! Life piled on life
Were all too 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 sceptre and the isle,---
Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfil
This labour, by slow prudence to make mild
A rugged people, and thro' soft degrees
Subdue them to the useful and the good.
Most blameless is he, centred 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 toil'd, 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 hath 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.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in 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.

    -- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

I actually spent some time writing criticism, commentary and the like...
but then I stopped and erased it all. For this is one poem that deserves
to stand on its own. I have nothing further to say, except for the fact
that I think it's utterly utterly beautiful.

thomas.

From: George Drought <gdrought@>

I first read this poem when I was 13, fifty years ago and it had such an
impact that I have tried to base my life on its statements and
philosophy

George

From: grace ming <eggceo17@>


To whomever it may concern, 

My name is Grace and I have just done some analysis on this poem versus Homer's epic for a recent paper. By all means, I think Tennyson is a wonderful writer and this poem is absolutely gorgeous, but it contradicts a bit with the original story. Having read the original epic, I have to say that Tennyson’s argument for having Odysseus leave Ithaca for a second time is pretty weak. Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus's perseverance is driven purely by his desire to return home, not by adventurous spirit. Even after living with Calypso for ten years, Odysseus admits, “each day I long for home,” and no matter what trial the gods put before him, his “tough heart can undergo it.” In Tennyson’s poem, however, a different purpose seems to drive Odysseus. Odysseus says his “purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset, and the baths of all the western stars, until [he] dies.” I think his quest in the poem is a bit pathetic. After living at home for three years, Odysseus seems to have gotten bored with his “aged” wife and wants to go sailing again. He feels that his life rusts “unburnished” on Ithaca. What is he saying?! In my opinion, his one adventure is enough to last ten lifetimes! Okay, Odysseus is suffering from a bit of wanderlust and obviously has a strong will to live life to the fullest (sorry about the cliché), but frankly, Tennyson’s poem shows Odysseus to be incredibly impulsive. He does not even seem to care about all the pain that his family has suffered during his first journey. Every night, Penélopê cannot sleep from grief and even prays to be “shot by Artemis” so that she can meet Odysseus in the underworld. Laërtês weeps at his son’s name. Telémachus risks his life to learn of his father’s fate. Odysseus’s mother even kills herself mourning. Odysseus is simply selfish to want to leave again. Plus, Athena may not help him out this time. In addition, his leaving Ithaca would undermine the killing of the suitors at the end of the epic. Although Tennyson’s argument is weak when put in context with the original epic, the poem by itself is very beautiful and convincing. The vivid language strongly portrays Odysseus’s longing to pursue knowledge and meaning in his life, despite his age. Tennyson’s message is what makes this poem so wonderful. And it comes across so clearly and strongly that it warms the hearts of all who read the poem, inspiring them “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

From: grace ming <eggceo17@>

My name is Grace and I have just done some analysis on this poem 
versus Homer's epic for a recent paper. By all means, I think 
Tennyson is a wonderful writer and this poem is absolutely gorgeous, 
but it contradicts a bit with the original story. Having read the 
original epic, I have to say that Tennyson’s argument for having 
Odysseus leave Ithaca for a second time is pretty weak. Throughout 
the Odyssey, Odysseus's perseverance is driven purely by his desire 
to return home, not by adventurous spirit. Even after living with 
Calypso for ten years, Odysseus admits, "each day I long for home," 
and no matter what trial the gods put before him, his "tough heart 
can undergo it." In Tennyson’s poem, however, a different purpose 
seems to drive Odysseus. Odysseus says his "purpose holds to sail 
beyond the sunset, and the baths of all the western stars, until 
[he] dies." I think his quest in the poem is a bit pathetic. After 
living at home for three years, Odysseus seems to have gotten bored 
with his "aged" wife and wants to go sailing again. He feels that 
his life rusts "unburnished" on Ithaca. What is he saying?! In my 
opinion, his one adventure is enough to last ten lifetimes! Okay, 
Odysseus is suffering from a bit of wanderlust and obviously has a 
strong will to live life to the fullest (sorry about the cliché), 
but frankly, Tennyson’s poem shows Odysseus to be incredibly impulsive. 
He does not even seem to care about all the pain that his family has 
suffered during his first journey. Every night, Penélopê cannot sleep 
from grief and even prays to be "shot by Artemis" so that she can meet 
Odysseus in the underworld. Laërtês weeps at his son’s name. Telémachus 
risks his life to learn of his father’s fate. Odysseus’s mother even 
kills herself mourning. Odysseus is simply selfish to want to leave 
again. Plus, Athena may not help him out this time. In addition, 
his leaving Ithaca would undermine the killing of the suitors at the 
end of the epic. Although Tennyson’s argument is weak when put in 
context with the original epic, the poem by itself is very beautiful 
and convincing. The vivid language strongly portrays Odysseus’s longing 
to pursue knowledge and meaning in his life, despite his age. 
Tennyson’s message is what makes this poem so wonderful. And it comes 
across so clearly and strongly that it warms the hearts of all who 
read the poem, inspiring them "to strive, to seek, to find, and not 
to yield."



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From: "John Morgan" <John.Morgan11@>

I read this poem when i was trapped by personal circumstances and
feeling pretty low.  It inspired me so much i read it, again and again,
until i knew it by heart.  That was ten years ago and it inspires me
still.

It was written when Tennyson was in his extreme period.  His friend
Hallem died and Tennyson who suffered from "black blood" (depression
manic(?) ) went into ten years of silence.  This silence ended with
three poems; Tithonus, AHH; and the greatest; Ulysses.

Tennyson wanted to express the need to go forward with this poem.  To do
this he looked back to Homer's great traveller Ulysses the "man of many
resources."

This is complex poem and there are two main interpretations.  THe first
is that this is the great hero going out to one last great adventure,
THe other is this is an irreponsible old man running away from his
family and friends.  These two interpretations are not necessarily
contradictory.  Some people even think Ulysses could be on his death bed
reciting this poem.

What you have got to remember is this poem is about something more and
not something less.  It is a journey of the mind and not the body it is
to follow knowledge like a sinking star,  The sailors that he summons,
for example, are all already dead.

For all his flaws it makes this ulysses all the more heroic.  Let it
inspire you.  Never yield.

From: David Holliday <david.holliday@>

Tell you what...

A real "sailor" reads a lot, since the winds are pretty steady and
there's a lot of water out there.

I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and despite medications, still
get major depression in the winter months.

The last couple of nights I've been contemplating suicide, so I turned
my myself to friends online (who appreciate the best in in human
thought); as a means of survivival.  The response has been great, and
you can ascertain that my "shout for help" worked.

You've "made my day" by reminding me how immense, beautiful and generous
the Universe is.

Sincerly,

-David

From: Mekonnen Haile <mhaile@>

This note is addressed to Grace Ming (eggceo17@).  Perhaps what I have
to say below has already been brought to your attention, but just in case
it hasn't I thought it worth pointing out.  

You write: "Having read the original epic, I have to say that Tennysons
argument for having 
Odysseus leave Ithaca for a second time is pretty weak. Throughout the
Odyssey, Odysseus's perseverance is driven purely by his desire to return
home, not by adventurous spirit..."

The "Ulysses" that Tennyson has appropriated for his great poem is not the
Odysseus of Homer.  Rather, it is the Ulysses of Dante.  Mythical
characters are often reborn when appropriated by great poets.  An example
is Agamemnon, whose story and portrayal by Aeschylus contrasts sharply from
his representation in Homer, just as he must have been transformed by Homer
himself who took him from the general fund of myth that the ancient poets
borrowed generously from.  Shakespeare, who borrowed general plot and
characters from Holinshed is another great example.  

In Canto XXVI, you will find the Ulysses that Tennyson portrays.  When
addressed by Dante, the soul of Ulysses, clothed in a tongue of flame in
which it eternally burns speaks up and says: "When/ I sailed away from
Circe, who'd beguiled me/ to stay more than a year there.../ neither my
fondness for my son nor pity/ for my old father nor the love I owed/
Penelope, which would have gladdened her,/ was able to defeat in the
longing/ I had to gain experience of the world/ and of the vices and the
worth of men" (lines 90-95, translated by Allen Mandelbaum).

So, the Ulysses with the wanderlust that Tennyson portrays, is Dante's
creation.  Dante has placed Ulysses in hell; one cannot infer clearly
whether or not Dante admired his lust for experience.  Dante was a
principled fellow who passed judgment with intimidating objectivity, the
best example being Brunetto Latini ("Are you here, Ser Brunetto?") for whom
he had an obvious fondness and who may have been a mentor of his.  But that
didn't pose any problems as to Ser Brunetto's eternal fate.  He was a
homosexual.  Similarly, Dante thought Ulysess' lust for experience a sin,
and a terrible one at that as he has him in the 8th circle.  

But with Tennyson, the Poet Laureat of England during its greatest age,
when it "ruled the waves," Ulysses is something different.  Homer's
Odysseus is a shadowy figure, related but different, and is in the
background of the re-incarnated Ulysses of Dante and Tennyson.  

From: "Olga Cuenca" <OCuenca@>

Remember that always SOMEBODY that is really above all that we can feel in this life is in LOVE WITH YOU!!!!!!   If you think..... you can easy find that you have to wait until your last moment


REMEMBER THAT ALWAYS SOMEBODY
THAT IS REALLY ABOVE OF ALL,
MAY YOU FEEL, GREAT IN ANY CIRCUSNTANCE.
THINK ABOUT..... WHEN YOU FEEL GREAT,
THINK ABOUT..... WHEN YOU FELL WEAK
THINK ABOUT..... SOMEBODY LOVES YOU LIKE NOBODY!!!!

From: PoseidonRed26@

where did u hear those quotes from??? there pretty good and inspiring.

From: "Joseph Daniels" <josephdaniels100@>

I've often speculated that the prayer penned by Ignatius of Loyola may have 
had an influence on the closing of this masterpiece poem.  I reproduce 
Ignatius' prayer below:

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If Tennyson was educated by the Jesuits, he would have very likely been 
exposed to this prayer.

jd

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From: l.keil@

After having read this poem and spent a great deal of time thinking
about my own mortality it occurred to me, through this poem, that its
ultimate message of "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" is
one of continual hope.  We never have the right to give up because there
is always something we can do to further ourselves or others no matter
how close to death.  When a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness
it may seem impossible at times to continue fighting.  Through "Ulysses"
I have come to the understanding that even though we must all one day
die, there will always be the opportunity to improve the world before we
do.  That is our mission until our heart comes to rest.

Laura Keil
lucky_ducky21@

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After having read this poem and spent a great deal of time thinking about
my own mortality it occurred to me, through this poem, that its ultimate
message of "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" is one of continual
hope.  We never have the right to give up because there is always
something we can do to further ourselves or others <i>no matter how close
to death</i>.  When a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness
it may seem impossible at times to continue fighting.  Through "Ulysses"
I have come to the understanding that even though we must all one day die,
there will always be the opportunity to improve the world before we do. 
That is our mission until our heart comes to rest.
<p>Laura Keil
<br>lucky_ducky21@</html>

--Boundary_(ID_K4auu1ZInB/gSyh3Qu6OKg)--

From: "Ellen Kardon" <ekardon1@>

This poem is the definitive defense of the Liberal Intellectual, one who
"follows knowledge like a sinking star"...always striving for new
experiences, new insights.

From: NeaDavid@

well this is probely the most random question to be sent to you, however you 
should feel privilidge that i have asked for your advice on this. Please may 
you help me, to understand this poem, im studding it for an exam and i hear 
that this poem shall be on the paper, i would really like to understand the poem 
so i can give my personal opinions, and write about the signifance of this 
poem. 

thank you 

Lucy  

From: luke pulaski <neededlikewater@>


Grace, I think you have grossly misunderstood Tennyson’s Ulysses.
Ulysses is not an adventure-mongering zealot, quite to the contrary. The
journey he is alluding to throughout the poem is the quest for
knowledge, wisdom and truth. Ulysses, knowing his materialistic life has
been fulfilled and his duties as a king and father have been complete.
Yes, he says, I am famous ("I am become a name"), I love my sun—and he
me, and I have lived through all the battles and adventures any warrior
can dream of, but, in a stark contrast from the view of that time, he
knows that is not all there is too life. In his dying days, he wishes
that his greatest weapon, (even in the Iliad and Odyssey) his mind, does
not…rust in the sheath to use his metaphor. 

Knowing he will never reach the "utmost bound of human thought," (As the
goal is a golden arch on the horizon…and every step closer you get to
the horizon, it gets a step further—my Freshman English teacher put
this another way, but in the same sense Tennyson is using here… "The
more I know, the more I know I don’t know") Ulysses still wishes to
gain more knowledge.

The allusive "something" out there mentioned several times in the poem
is that knowledge which he seeks in his dying days. In fact, unlike how
you interpreted him, Ulysses has sown his wild oats (your turn to
forgive my cliché) and gained a sense of wisdom in his old age. He says
"we are not now that strength which in the old days moved earth and
heaven, that which we are, we are." He has come to realize that the
strength and ego he, in his prime, thought indefatigable, was just that:
ego. "We are what we are" Insignificant lives. And even though he has
come to realize this, and his physical strength wanes, he is yet strong
in will. Still the warrior in him must get the final word, but it is
still as truthful as anything else he said, "To strive, to seek, to
find, and not to yield." Not to yield in any battle, fight, or journey…
regardless if its is for survival or knowledge.

Grace, you don’t need to believe anything I say here, it’s just my
interpretation of this poem. It is, as you said, very beautiful. And, of
course, I’m just a sophomore in high school (St. Ignatius College Prep
Mr. Daniels, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve said that prayer
before basketball games…) Lucy, I don’t know if this will help on your
exam—or if you still need to take it—but feel free… just hope you
don’t ever show it to Mr. Bjorkquist, as I need to use some of this on
my own exam tomorrow.

Luke




		

From: Victoria Saw <vickysaw@>

The Ulysses who is presented by Tennyson in this poem is self-centred, 
arrogant, patronizing and utterly ungrateful - if these are qualities be 
admired!

The only thing he sees in Penelope who had waited for him for 10 long years 
is her physical appearance as an "aged wife" among "barren crags" - when 
her faithfulness should have appreciated instead; and he sees everyone else 
in Ithaca as being "savage face(s)" - in other words, barbarians -  who 
"knows not him". Has he for a moment asked himself if he should make the 
effort to "know" them instead?

This is surprising for a man who has travelled so widely. One can't help 
but wonder if he also expects the people he meets in his travels - from 
other lands, cultures and ways of life - to "know" him, without any effort 
on his part? If he can be so patronizing to his own countrymen, seeing them 
as being "rugged", yet to be "subdued" like animals to be "mild", "useful" 
and "good", imagine what his attitude will be in a foreign land. What a 
typical imperialist!

His sense of self-importance is also overbearing. "I have become a name". 
"Much have I seen and known". " Myself ... honoured of them all". "I am a 
part of all ..." Everything is "I', "I", "I", yet he laments that it "were 
all too little" for him! Instead of being grateful for all that he has been 
blessed with, his "grey spirit yearning in desire" seeks "a newer world" 
(as though it exists except in his head) where some "Work of noble note, 
may yet be done". At the rate he is whining, it will never be!

Conclusion: Tennyson's Ulysses is pathetic because he will NEVER be a happy 
man. Nothing is good enough for him. He lives and will die an unhappy man 
because never will he be comfortable or satisfied with himself, as long as 
he wallows in his self-pity. Sounds like a chronic case of sexual 
repression to me.

Worst of all, he preachifies to us to be like Ulysses: "To strive, to seek, 
to find, and not to yield" ... to our illusions of grandeur, and in the 
process, lose our humanity.







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From: "Kim Hanson" <pbmkhanson@>

I've just read this poem, about twice for my own English exam.  I can
understand a person's viewing Ulysses as being ungrateful to his wife
based on his comments of her being an "aged wife" and "barren crags".
Yet remember Shakespeare's sonnet My mistresss' eyes.  Ulysses being
known well throughout the world is a fact.  This man survived about as
much as the gods could throw at him.  This alone would have made him
well known and revered in every state in Greece (etc.).  Illusions of
grandeur are when we assume too much and believe it.  I think Ulysses is
talking about how old age wears the body down, but the will is still
strong maybe even wiser.  Ulysses also notes that he must die in order
to travel on the last journey where his "mariners" are "waiting" for
him.  Ulysses may also feel that he has done the extent of what he can.
Marriage is about sharing your life with another person and helping that
person grow.  Perhaps he doesn't see how he can help his wife grow.  He
also notes that his son is able to competently rule as king, perhaps
even better.
    I am still in High School, so take my words anyway you like, but
just be open to a new idea.  (I still believe that a poem does not have
one "answer" but the answer is accepting the contradction that can arise)

From: "Bob Harmon" <bharmon@>