Tennyson's Ulysses - analysis

Ulysses is a poem written by A. Tennyson in 1833, in which he describes the figure of Ulysses and his reflections, as an old selfish man who still wants to experiment life.

From line 1 to line 32 Tennyson speaks about Ulysses; he is old and he still desires to travel. Tennyson uses an heroic figure for his dramatic poem: heroes are never afraid. This is an introductory section: the reader can come across the character's psychology. Ulysses comes back to Ithaca but he doesn't like anymore his wife and his homeland .

From line 1 to line 17 Tennyson uses the language in two ways: in the first part Ulysses uses a cruel language in order to express his disgust towards his country, his wife and his subjects. In the second part Ulysses describes what he would like to do and what his feelings are.

At line 1 the reader finds the word "profits" which refers to something material he does not earn. He refers to himself as an idle king.

At line 2 with the sentence "barren crags" he expresses his disappointment towards his own land; this is in opposition to the expression "windy troy" (line 17).

At line 4 he affirms that his subjects are a "savage race" in order to underline their incivility.

At line 5 the rhythm of the words help Ulysses to underline his mood. He really dislikes them.

From line 6 to line 17 Ulysses expresses his feelings. He is the metaphor for the traveler. He still wants to travel. He still wants to drink life (line 6-7) because he "drunk delight of battle" (line 16). His heart is hungry (line11). He uses words which express physical needs to express his desires and his regrets.

At line 18 Tennyson uses and repeats the word "I" in order to reinforce the idea of existence.

At line 19 he uses the word "arch"; it is a metaphor for rainbow, the passing of time and also for a weapon.

At line 20 the words "untraveled world" underline Ulysses' desire to visit the world he hasn't still visited; the reader can understand that Ulysses is curious about what he doesn't know: Tennyson underlines the importance of knowledge.

At line 22 Ulysses makes a reflection about the idea to "make an end": on his point of view to rest and to die are similar.

At line 23 Tennyson underlines the romantic aspect of Ulysses, he compares himself to an object with "rust"; he wants to be useful.

At line 24 there is the repetition of the word "life": the repetition implies something usual.

At line 27 death is referred to the image of eternal silence.

At line 28 the reader understands that Ulysses is still looking for something new.

At line 29 the word "three suns" implies the passing of time.

At line 30 the word "grey" implies something old; it is in opposition with his desire to know something new, "to follow knowledge" (line 31). The idea of Ulysses is the idea of somebody who can't imagine any border to knowledge. He follows knowledge beyond any human thought (line 32).

From line 33 to line 43 Ulysses speaks about his son: Telemachus. Ulysses declares that he will leave his island, his power to his son; Ulysses recognizes his son knows what is right and what is wrong. Ulysses understands that he can't help people because according to him his subjects are a "savage race".

At line 36 there is an alliterative sound "make mild". At line 37 with the expression "a rugged people" Ulysses is referring to people of Ithaca.

At line 43 with the sentence "he works his work, I mine" Ulysses refers to the duty of his son and of his, underlining the difference between these two duties. Telemachus will be able to do his work when Ulysses will be gone (line 43).

The last section (from line 44 to line 70) moves our prospective on the reflection of Ulysses. He is in a port, but wind of curiosity and knowledge still puffs in his sails.

At line 44 Ulysses describe the harbor. Going on the reader can come across the silent listener because Ulysses speaks to his mariners, who don't speak.

At line 47 Ulysses says that his mariners always welcome him. At line 49 there is an anaphorical structure. He underlines that his mariners and he himself are old. But old age has honor and duty.

At line 50 there is an invitation to reflection. At line 52 there is an alliterative sound "noble note".

At line 54 there is a reference to nature, which is symbolic for Romanticism.

At line 55 Ulysses says that the day is going to an end, it is a metaphor for life which goes by.

At line 56 there a personification of the sea, which claims, and it invites Ulysses and his mariners to go on traveling.

From line 58 to line 70 Ulysses invites his sailors to go around the world. Life is a travel and Ulysses, the hero, never wants to stop. Even at the end of the day, a metaphor of life, he doesn't want to yield. Ulysses expresses his desire and his need of going forward till the end of the travel, that's to say till the end of life.