Ulysses - Alfred Lord Tennyson

 

Ulysses   - Alfred Lord Tennyson

Alfred Lord Tennyson is the author of the poem ‘Ulysses’. He wrote the poem in 1833. It is written in the form of a dramatic monologue spoken by Ulysses. The character appears in Homer’s Greek epic ‘The Odyssey’ and Dante’s Italian epic ‘The Inferno’. Tennyson wrote this poem after the unexpected death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam. In this poem, the author tells us the tale of Ulysses who sets out for a final voyage before his death.

Ulysses has just returned from the Trojan War. Ulysses is old but is still full of wanderlust. Having led an adventurous life for many years, he finds that he has to remain idle in Ithaca. He complains that life in Ithaca is very dull. His wife is aged. There is no scope for romance at home and adventure in the country. The people of Ithaca are sluggish and do not understand his greatness as a leader. He wants to go on a voyage again so that he can enjoy the richness of life till the last moment of his life.

 Ulysses wants to hand over the kingdom to his son Telemachus. He says that his and his son’s talents are quite different. Ulysses has wandered all over the world and had many rich experiences. He has observed a variety of cultures and governments. He was respected wherever he went. In spite of his extensive travelling, he does not want to take rest. He has an unquenchable thirst for wandering and adventure. He wants to have more and more experiences. Telemachus is an administrator par excellence. He is immensely patient and can civilize the rugged Ithacans by degrees. He can win over the people by exhibiting love and concern for them.

Ulysses explains his plan to his brave followers. He tells them frankly that his purpose is to take them to the very end of the western horizon where the stars are supposed to bathe. He also wants to go to the Happy Isles, the abode of the souls of the illustrious dead. He hopes to meet there the brave Achilles who got killed in the Trojan War. Ulysses points to the mariner that in the process of discovering these new lands they may meet their death. Ulysses’ followers are as brave as he is. None of them are discouraged by the prospect of death.

All of them have the same mind set. Though they are weakened by time and fate, they are still mentally strong to work hard and find what they searched for. They are determined not to yield to despair.