Ulysses Essay
Epic Greatness
Ulysses, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson, assigns Ulysses as the speaker throughout the entire poem. Despite Ulysses’ ending years, Ulysses is gravely desperate for another opportunity to continue in his exploration and adventure, his inadvertently self-declared life’s purpose. Ulysses is not ready to cease his soul’s desires and he intends to make the absolute most of what remains. “Though much is taken, much abides; and though 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.” These last six lines are the best way to begin analyzing this poem. Ulysses is speaking to a multitude of people delivering a passionate message. He is stating that although he is aging and physically withering, deficient of his youthful era, there is no reason to allow or accept the same to coincide with his passion, will, and drive. If the will exists, then there must be a way; this is essentially the mantra of Ulysses’ words.
The time era dates back to Ancient Greece where the tongue spoken was in poetic lingo or symbolism or with what we may interpret as cryptic flare today (Leigh, Helen). Despite the difference in dialect, Ulysses is easily understood and a man that anyone can relate to in the present. This is largely contributed to Tennyson’s skills as the man behind the ink. Tennyson’s talent embodies the ability to relate to all times and ages and his well-educated and social status seem to mark and influence is cadence (Matthews, Samantha). He artistically articulates his profound urge toward life in the first person, clearly indicating Ulysses and the undeniable speaker. Initially I began to perceive this poem as a journal entry or perhaps even as Ulysses speaking to himself; they were my internal thoughts of sorts. Apparently, this is a common question for interpretation
Ulysses, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson, assigns Ulysses as the speaker throughout the entire poem. Despite Ulysses’ ending years, Ulysses is gravely desperate for another opportunity to continue in his exploration and adventure, his inadvertently self-declared life’s purpose. Ulysses is not ready to cease his soul’s desires and he intends to make the absolute most of what remains. “Though much is taken, much abides; and though 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.” These last six lines are the best way to begin analyzing this poem. Ulysses is speaking to a multitude of people delivering a passionate message. He is stating that although he is aging and physically withering, deficient of his youthful era, there is no reason to allow or accept the same to coincide with his passion, will, and drive. If the will exists, then there must be a way; this is essentially the mantra of Ulysses’ words.
The time era dates back to Ancient Greece where the tongue spoken was in poetic lingo or symbolism or with what we may interpret as cryptic flare today (Leigh, Helen). Despite the difference in dialect, Ulysses is easily understood and a man that anyone can relate to in the present. This is largely contributed to Tennyson’s skills as the man behind the ink. Tennyson’s talent embodies the ability to relate to all times and ages and his well-educated and social status seem to mark and influence is cadence (Matthews, Samantha). He artistically articulates his profound urge toward life in the first person, clearly indicating Ulysses and the undeniable speaker. Initially I began to perceive this poem as a journal entry or perhaps even as Ulysses speaking to himself; they were my internal thoughts of sorts. Apparently, this is a common question for interpretation
Cited: Bates, Stephen. Tennyson Verse Chosen to Inspire Olympic Athletes. The Guardian, 4 March 2011. Web. 11 March 2013. Leigh, Helen. Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 March 2013. Matthews, Samantha. Alfred Tennyson. Oxford Bibliographies, 2 March 2011. Web. 11 March 2013. The New Jerusalem Bible. Ed. Susan Jones. New York: Doubleday, 1985. Print. Peters, John G. “To Strive, to Seek, to Find, and not to Yield.”: Ulysses as a Siren in Tennyson’s Poem. Victorian Review (1994): 134-141. Print. Rukhaya, M.K. Poetry Analysis: Tennyson 's "Ulysses." Bright Hub Education, 21 July 2011. Web. 11 March 2013. Tennyson, Alfred. “All Things Will Die.” The Charge of the Light Brigade & 125 More Poems (2012): 34-35. Print.