Tennyson’s ‘Ulysses’ 1833

This poem was wrote by Alfred Lord Tennyson who was one of the most important writers of dramatic monologue during the Victorian Age.

As we already said in class Ulysses is the character speaking in this novel. The poet chooses to write a poem about hi because he is a well-known figure who was not a symbol of the Victorian’s believes. He became famous for his curiosity and for his journey.

The poem is divided onto four different sections.

As previously discussed, the first part is set in Ithaca. Ulysses just came back from his feat and he talks about a place and people that he does not recognize anymore. He feels different from anyone as if anyone could have recognized who he has become.

The second section changes the subject. Ulysses talks about himself. He cannot give up travelling because he wants to live an intense life.

During those years he experienced both negative and positive aspects of life with someone who he loved or alone. That is how he found himself, how he becomes famous. Ulysses is attracted by what he does not know. In fact, Dante places him into ‘Inferno’ and there he will says:’ nati non foste per viver come bruti ma per seguir virtute e canoscenza’

In the third segment Ulysses speaks about his son who will be his successor. He speaks highly and patronizingly of his son’s capabilities as a ruler. Telemachus will do his job as the governor of Ithaca meanwhile he will do his own work: travelling.

The last stanza is dedicated to the marines that travelled and worked with him for many years. Ulysses glorifies their hard work and their faith to their king that they followed on the journey. He encourages them to make use of their old age because “ ’tis not too late to seek a newer world. The poems end with Ulysses saying that he and his marines might not be strong as they were in their youth but they are “strong in will” and are sustained by their intention to push forward endlessly: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”