Introduction
Ulysses is a poem written by Alfred Tennyson in 1833 but first published in collection ‘Poems’ in 1842. It is a poem based on Greek mythological king Ulysses. It is written in the form of a dramatic monologue.
Central Idea
Poem has an idea and spirit of Victorian age. Ulysses has returned from battle of Troy and now he is feeling useless in his kingdom. He wants to return to journey again. He thinks his old age has left very little time in his life now. He wants to utilize this left over time in finding new world and look for new adventure.
Themes
1. Spirit of Adventure – Ulysses symbolize spirit of adventure. Victorian age saw new lands discovered and new sea routes found. Similarly Ulysses is craving for new journey. He is not like his stay at home. He thinks there is still fire left in his heart to go on new adventure.
2. Live every moment – This poem also focuses on living every moment of the life. Ulysses says ‘I will drink life to the lees’ as he wants to enjoy every moment of the life. That’s why idling at home is not going down his throat.
Figure of Speech
- Alliteration – ‘Life to the lees’, ‘hungry heart’, ‘climates councils’, ‘drunk delight’, ‘Free hearts, free foreheads’ have Alliteration as they have repetition of a particular consonant continuously.
- Assonance – There is repetition of vowel sounds in assonance. ‘For some three suns to store and hoard myself’ has repetition of vowel sound /o/.
- Transferred epithet – in phrase ‘sounding furrows’ it is not the furrows which are making sound. It’s the oars which are making sound and making furrows in the water.
- Personification – ‘Vext the dim sea’ has personified the Sea.
- Synecdoche – Ulysses refers his Mariners as ‘souls’.
- Metaphor – ‘Beyond the sunset’ is a metaphor for unknown land.
Hellenistic features
Poem has Hellenistic features as Ulysses in itself a Greek figure. Similarly his son Telemachus, Achilles etc. are all Greek mythological figures used in the poem.
Rhyme Scheme and Structure
Poem is written in blank verse. It doesn’t have any rhyme scheme but has iambic pentameter. Poem doesn’t follow any particular structure or stanza formation also.
Victorian Age Spirit
Poem symbolizes Victorian age. In this age countries were looking after for new lands by taking adventures voyages. Similarly Ulysses wants to continue his journey or resume his journey which has halted due to his stay at home.
For other posts on western writers click here
For critical appreciation of ‘On his twenty third birthday’ click here
For critical appreciation of ‘Break break break’ of Alfred Tennyson Click here
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