Footnotes

1. The first stanza sounds like an old navy veteran reminiscing about his days at sea. I feel that the king in the poem is writing a sort of memoir about his life and travels. He hates to stay in one place very long and wishes to live life to the fullest. He admits that both he and his wife have aged, yet he refuses to let his age, war, or the inactive lifestyles of those around him stop him from seeking all that life has to offer. The king has made a name for himself in all his travels and has fallen in love with all that he has learned and the variety of men and women he’s met. The poem seems like a farewell to his family and subjects. He even tells them that “tis not too late to seek a newer world” (line 57). This line suggests that he does not wish to leave his people but he cannot simply remain ashore with them either. I am most interested by the speaker’s intent. Is he trying to say goodbye or extend an invitation to those around him? Is he encouraging them or discouraging their way of life? ▲
2. In the poem “Ulysses”, the author utilizes nature to compare his experiences in life. In the beginning the usage of “scudding drifts, the rainy Hyades”, just through this line one gets the idea of how he has experienced many different aspects of life. The fact that the drifts are scudding being that they are moving smoothly shows the idea that the life has its smoothness, and as we go on the rainy Hyades which one can imagine the sky filled with a cluster of over 200 stars. The line itself shares the idea of this beautiful adventure overseas more like the beauty of life. He continues with the idea and goes on to write about “the ringing plains of windy Troy”. This line connects to the quietness and the peacefulness in “scudding….”, thought this line shows the idea of chaos coming. The two lines tell us much about the author and how he has experienced the cycle of life its ups and downs. He goes on to say “thunder and sunshine” and towards the end he mentions “it may be that the gulfs may wash us down”, these two lines summarize his whole life. He has been through it all, the adventures, the victories, love, honor, family, battles, and now old age but he doesn’t want to stop there. He would rather die while experiencing something worthwhile, rather than die of old age. ▲
3. This passage, and mainly the line "I am become a name" grasped my attention while making me stumble over this phrase. The king's attempts at self glorification are firmly emphasized by this unique use of language, as in no form of the English language does this phrase seem gramatically correct, and reiterates his desire for his possibly "savage race" to know him. Tennyson has not established a rhyme scheme that would be betrayed by rephrasing this name acquiring situation, but the king does not just want to attain a sizable reputation, it seems like he is concerned with being immortalized as a name. A person can have an "aged wife" and "unequal laws" but a name is an intangible and immortal entity. Though the will very soon pass on to the land of death, he has left behind a legacy both in his son, and in his hope that his accomplishments will mean something. James Garland ▲
4. I believe “Ulysses” shows the ruler to be ineffective as a king. The king professes his love for wandering the lands and the seas, but only devotes a small stanza to his throne and the succession that it will undergo. With lines like this, it truly feels like the king is trapped in a life he perhaps does not want but was forced into. Perhaps his father was a king and he had to take up the throne after him, and this poem is an expression of the king’s desires to abdicate the throne and release these inner desires he has to circumnavigate the world. I believe that this is also somewhat of a conundrum for the king, because he later states “How dull it is to pause, to make an end,” (line 22), but how can the King get to see “cities of men, and manners, climates, councils, governments,” (lines 13-14) when he abdicates the throne and goes on his wandering adventures? It seems paradoxical to want power and freedom at the same time. One last idea could be that the king enjoys exotic and non-native women and is having an affair. His wife, an “aged wife” (line 3) gets mentioned once and seems to fit into this idea he has that anything not exciting or new or exotic is not worth spending your time on. Lance Hayden ▲
5. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus does in fact "become a name": he cannot abstain from claiming responsibility for the maiming of the cyclops, the son of Poseidon, by shouting his name as he leaves the monster's island. This might not seem significant, but he first tells the monster that he is called "Nobody", and might have gotten away with his deed and been able to return home to Ithaca, had he been able to resist revealing himself in the end. It is because of this announcement that the god of the sea is able to identify him and thwart his efforts to return home. In fact, everywhere the "man of twists and turns" goes, he tells his tale, and many of those he meets have already heard of him. The point is that through this constant self-identification, Odysseus does leave a token of himself, in effect perpetuating his adventures. This is the theme that Tennyson has taken up-- precisely that settled life does not suit the former adventurer who even in his old age wishes to continue his travels. Remember also that Odysseus has already traveled to the underworld and back, has spoken to the dead, and knows that no glory awaits in the afterlife. Alison Mattox ▲
6. An enjambment in the first stanza begins with line 19 "Yet all experience" and ends with line 21 "when I move." In these three lines, Ulysses narrates his desire to travel once again. Tennyson does not use punctuation within the three lines and does not place any punctuation at the end of lines 19 and 20. The lack of punctuation allows the reader to move continuously through the lines, which seems to reflect the desire of Ulysses for continual movement, "that untravell'd world whose margin fades / For ever and for ever when I move" (lines 20-21). Tennyson appears to use repetition in line 21 "For ever and for ever..." to further argue that Ulysses wants to travel indefinitely to foreign and unknown lands. I saw an additional use of the punctuation in the following lines, lines 22 and 23. Tennyson can be seen as better acquainting the reader with the frustration of Ulysses of being at home, "How dull it is to pause" (line22), by making the reader pause throughout lines 22 and 23 with the constant use of commas. Stacey Elkhatib ▲
7. The speaker's theme in this first stanza appears to be that the speaker lives life to its fullest, and does not give up when approaching death. He "cannot rest from travel," "drink[s]" to life, and has enjoyed his life as much as he has "suffer'd greatly" and learned from life. He is reminiscing on his life, thinking of times when he was with those "who loved [him]," as well as times when he was "alone." He implies that he was always curious or in pursuit of something throughout his life, "always roaming with a hungry heart." Although death will leave him with only "a name," he has enjoyed his life and has "seen and known" various things through his experiences, which have together molded him into the person he is, being "a part of all [he] has met." The speaker makes a strong statement when he insists that although he may die soon, he cannot, and will not "rust unburnish'd" or "not to shine in use!" He is reinforcing the fact that he has, and will continue to live life to the fullest, not giving up even when near the end. The broken lines, separated by many commas, periods, dashes, and semi-colons, portray his fragmented thoughts in trying to reminisce on memories of his life before he passes. ▲
8. Ulysses has several lines in which wonderful imagery is created .The lines, “Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough/ Gleams that untraveled world, whose margin fades/ For ever and for ever when I move/How dull it is to pause, to make an end,/ To rust unburnished, not to shine in use,” effectively creates imagery to illustrate the king’s feelings about the untraveled world. He says that this world gleams, which shows that the king greatly treasures seeing and experiencing new parts of the world, and believes it has great things to offer. The last two lines of the quote show his discontent with not trying to experience new things in life and wasting precious time. I especially like the author’s word choice of rust as it makes the king’s disposition on inactivity much more heartfelt. Overall this part of the poem exemplifies that the king is somewhat adventurous and wants to enjoy all that life has to offer. In his old age it seems as if he truly understands how valuable every remaining minute he has on the earth is. ▲
9. The king sounds as if he is an old traveler who's nearing the end of his life. He uses phrases like "gray spirit" and "sinking star" to emphasize his nearing death and the end of his full life. The king has seen much of the world and has “drunk delight” from battling in many countries against a variety of foes. After consuming the blood of his enemies, he learned from his experiences and from the “councils” and “governments” that he had to deal with. All of his travels have taught him many lessons but he also had to suffer greatly to learn from his experiences to become the great warrior and king he finally came to be. Andrew Mulhall ▲
10. The speaker says, “As tho’ to breathe were life!,” claiming that simply breathing does not make you alive. To actually live means actively experiencing the world and learning new things, not simply being a bystander. He then says, “Life piled on life/ Were all too little, and of one to me/ Little remains.” This means that even having one life after another, or immortality, would not be enough. One always wants more and to have more time, and now he is almost the end of his own life. This shows he is writing in reflection on his life and suggests a nostalgic tone. He then changes his tone with, “But every hour is saved/ From that eternal silence, something more,/ A bringer of new things.” Even his last hours of life he sees the chance for new experiences and to continue learning. He has not chosen to simply settle and die. He ends the stanza saying that for three suns, which I assume refer to the Greek view of afterlife, to keep him is something awful and terrible. He may not be able to physically but his spirit still desires knowledge and to live. Greg ▲
11. I found this second paragraph interesting because it parallels the beginning of the poem. In the first lines, Ulysses shows discontent with his life and looks down upon other, called his land "barren crags" and his wife "aged". He shows a very negative view on his life as king, saying: "I mete and dole/Unequal laws onto a savage race". But in the second paragraph Ulysses once again describes the process of ruling over people with softer words. Ulysses describes ruling as "labor...slow prudence to make mild/A rugged people", which contrasts with his earlier condemnation of his people as a "savage race". This change within the poem could be representative of the uncertainty that Ulysses faces as he contemplates leaving his life as king and setting out on a new adventure for knowledge and thrill. KYUHEE (GINNY) CHAE ▲
12. The pause that arises once Ulysses begins speaking of his son may be interpreted in many ways, and I am unsure as to which makes more sense at this point. This pause may be interpreted as Ulysses's fear concerning his son's ability to rule the kingdom. I do not think this is the case, because it seems like Ulysses is confident of his son's ability to “fulfill this labor.” This pause may also be a chance for Ulysses to think; his thoughts may vary from his words. While Ulysses is set upon seeing the world and broadening his horizons, he seems to take a moment to consider the results of his actions; while he journeys to foreign lands, he must leave his wife, son, and kingdom behind. The pause may thus be interpreted as a momentary sensation of guilt. Finally, this pause may represent the relief that Ulysses feels when he considers that he will no longer be constrained by domestic life as he journeys to foreign lands once more. - Diana Fridlyand ▲
13. Tennyson’s poem here is written in blank verse. This suggests it is a stream of free thought from Ulysses. Thus, the structure and punctuation of the each stanza can help illustrate Ulysses’s feelings. For this reason I found the middle stanza to be of interest. Contrary to the other two stanzas, it is very short and succinct. He calmly explains that his son Telemachus is apt to lead. The lack of emotion and short length agree with the theme Tennyson portrays in the other stanzas. In his heart, Ulysses is a heroic explorer that has no desire to lead his kingdom. He wishes to discover the limits of the human world. Thus, the shortness of stanza two, and its indifferent tone, demonstrates Ulysses’s burning desire to travel the world. Patrick McFarland ▲
14. This short 11 line stanza that addresses an unknown audience seems to be placed in the poem randomly after Ulysses, the speaker, has just finished talking about his "wanting" to travel more. This stanza is interesting because the speaker has changed the topic of the poem for a brief moment by talking about his son taking over Ithaca as king ("eave the sceptre and the isle" line 34). In the stanza the speaker seems to criticize his son for "fulfilling this labor" (labor meaning king) and seems to hint that ruling the kingdom was not what Ulysses wants to do. At the end of the stanza, he says "He works his work, I mine" which seems to say my son Telemachus will be king and I, Ulysses, will continue my exploration of the world. After this, Ulysses is quick to continue talking about his hunger to explore the untraveled world. The stanza helps reinforce the speaker's want to continue his adventures because it is the shortest stanza in the poem, quickly put in, and the majority of the stanza criticizes subtly the way his son will stay in one place ruling as he continues traveling, which is a main point that is reiterated many times in the piece. -Seema Jabbar ▲
15. This stanza stood out to me in my first reading of the poem. It is obviously shorter than the others and displays significantly less emotion than the others. Any positive feelings and attachment Ulysses has regarding his son seem to be more of a obligation. His "aged wife" and his son inspire less passion than his sailors, ship, and the sea. I found this all to be interesting since we have discussed various types of love in class. ▲
16. The third stanza stood out almost as an epic call to duty. The hardened tone of the speaker throughout the piece comes from a seemingly long life of adventure and travel. I liked the personification of old age in line 7, because it adds to the overall attitude; here “old age” is someone who has lived through a lot but still has the spirit for more. I imagine this stanza would be read aloud with a deep sense of honor, exaggerated to excite those around. ▲
17. Tennyson writes, "Death closes all; but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be done." I believe he uses this line to say that death stops everything even beyond travel. However, although Ulysses is old and near death, he still has a strong desire to continue exploring the world. This line also emphasizes Ulysses feels that traveling is quite honorable as the word noble is used in the poem. He therefore, starts by saying death ends everything, but then takes somewhat of an optimistic appeal. For example, he says, "lights begin to twinkle from the rocks" and he later adds "come my friends, 'tis not too late to seek a newer world." I feel both of these lines imply a positive and optimistic tone, which show Ulysses will travel the world until he dies regardless of his age. Shahnaz Rahman ▲
18. A major theme that resonates throughout Tennyson's poem, "Ulysses" is one of nostalgia. In the first stanza Ulysses speaks of his past as his defining moments' stating that there is more to life that just being alive, how you live your life is what matters. Ulysses is proud of his adventures, and is saddened by the reality of his old age, longing for one more adventure. In the second stanza Ulysses speaks about his son; the tone is one of regret, that his son will not and has not had his experiences, and will inherit a part of him that he is not proud of.Ulysses tone changes drastically in the next stanza when Ulysses speaks of his men and his ship. He speaks of them with much pride and honor, claiming that he and they are the same entity, and thus share the same aspirations in life.The tone of last stanzas contrast so heavily to that of the second that it provides insight to Ulysses character, and relationship with his son, implying that he is more connected and attached to his ship and men than his own son. Here Ulysses calls to his men and ship, "come my friends" beckoning them to join him once again, and leaving his son behind, - Alexandra Adair ▲
19. This stanza begins with the king discussing his imminent passage into the world of death. The vessel serves as a symbol for the journey he is about to take into the world of death, here the dark broad seas. It is an unknown and frightening world to set off into, but Ulysses looks forward to this new and final adventure he is about to embark upon. For this final adventure he will have to travel alone and leave behind the mariners with whom he has braved the best and worst of days, “the thunder and the sunshine.” As he looks out at the sea he understands that his life is at an end just as “the long day wanes.” He must look forward to something new and he embraces this without fear or remorse. As a great king and hero he merely wishes to seek out his place in a new world and escape his old age that has taken over his life. –Zack Roward ▲
20. I found this section, and the meaning Ulysses is getting to in the poem, to be contradictory to the Ulysses story. From Homer, Ulysses did anything and everything he could to get out of the sea and make it back home to his family, and here he has tired of his family, his kingdom, and wishes only to go back out into the world exploring and learning. The most interesting technique I liked here by Tennyson was his use of nautical terms throughout the text, where either the dictionary meaning or the nautical meaning could be applied. For example, line 7 "lees" could at first be identified as the sediment in wine because of reading straight through from line 6, but if you take the visual text with the enjambment then "life to the lees" could follow the nautical term meaning the side away from which it blows. This technique could also be applied to line 10 "scudding" or line 20 "margin." I also read line 23-4 as a reference to either sword, armor, or a ship besides his own body. - Kristen Williams ▲
21. The poem "Ulysses" by Alfred Tennyson expresses the troubles and thoughts facing an aging king. Ulysses looks back on his life and understands that he has done many things but he is still looking for something more. This is illustrated in the last stanza of the poem because Ulysses ponders the idea of having one last adventure until his eventual death. He wants to be of use just like he was when he was younger. He even goes on to say that the strength may not be there as it once was but the will to strive, seek, and find is still present. The last stanza of the poem is interesting because it seems like a public address to get people to join him on his last venture. Kendrick Daniel Section 003 ▲
22. n the poem, "Ulysses," Tennyson uses many words which signify that the speaker believes he is moving on to a new chapter in his death rather than only ending the current one. The final lines, "but strong in will/ to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" do not suggest that the speaker is giving up anything, they are actually very hopeful. To end the entire poem with, "and not to yield"contrasts sharply with the image of a dying king handing his throne over to his son. I think that Tennyson used these lines to give the speaker a sense of hope and almost excitement at his coming death. This suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife in which he will be strong again and not, "weak by time and fate." Caitlin Savage ▲
23. The tone, theme, and form of the final stanza of this poem characterize Ulysses. Throughout the poem, he holds a tone of lament, but as the poem closes, the tone shifts to one of optimism. words/phrases such as "the vessel puffs her sail," "free hearts, free foreheads," "the lights begin to twinkle from the rocks," "'Tis not too late to seek a newer world," and "Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will," contribute to the generally positive tone. The most striking phrase in this stanza is "Death closes all; but something ere the end. Some work of noble note, may yet be done." I think this line can be considered the theme of the poem as a whole because it embodies the voice of the ambitious, adventurous Ulysses as well as the voice of the fairly philanthropic hero. While the tone and theme give depth to the character, the form in which not only this stanza but the poem as a whole is written gives the reader an idea as to what kind of person Ulysses is. The poem is written in blank verse, suggesting that the speaker is of a high or respected status, reminiscent of Shakespeare's use of blank verse. These details in tone, theme, and form seen in the last stanza give the reader a well-rounded and in-depth look at the character as a whole. -Alice Chen ▲
24. In Lord Tennyson's "Ulysses" a man who was once an adventurer, now stands as a king approaching death. He yearns for his last adventure at sea as he realizes that his days of honor are past him. The monologue setup of the poem relays a deep longing to fullfil a wish that may never be granted. Hope however still lives in the author's words as he states "Made weak by time and fate, but still strong in will, to strive, to seek,to find, and not to yield" and this feeling is tranferred to the reader. The somber tone of the poem quickly transitions from pity to the possiblity of an aging expedition. Attributing to the poem a unique theme of timeless exploration without the restraints of age. - Freddrick Jacob ▲
25. I found the format of this poem is extraordinary with uses of enjambment, changing the audiences and uses of distinct thematic units of the poem. In the first stanza, Ulysses, the narrator of this poem seems to talking to himself about how bored and pointless it is to remain stationary and how he could actually learn and grow up from the great experiences he had during traveling. He uses direct and upfront words and frequently uses enjambment when he shows his passionate or pushing forward attitude about traveling (lines 20-21,24-31). In second and third stanza, Ulysses suddenly talks to unidentified audience(s). He publicly praises about his son's great capability of governing when he is absent. In third stanza, Ulysses changes his tone to persuading and encouraging tone like making political statement, persuading the audiences to take the journey even though you are weak and old. The presence of audiences and Ulysses's changes his tone from soliloquy to public narration seems to have his intention of rationalizing his great desire of traveling and irresponsible attitudes as a governor. -- Juhee Ban ▲