Summary of Ulysses by Lord Tennyson for BA students

 

Summary of Ulysses by Lord Tennyson

Ulysses is a poem written by the Victorian poet Alfred Lord Tennyson in the year 1833. He published the poem in the year 1842. It is a dramatic monologue. In this poem Ulysses, the King of Ithaca expresses his desire to explore the world through sail during his retired age.

Ulysses, the retired King of Ithaca and the speaker of this poem feels tired to sit with his wife looking after the savage people of Ithaca ‘unequal laws unto a savage race'.  In his past he has done many adventurous deeds travelling all over the world as a soldier and a king. But as an old man, he feels tired to sit at home ruling the kingdom of Ithaca. He considers himself as a man of adventure. He was popular among different people and had a great knowledge about different countries and their ways of living.

Ulysses was able to derive delight while fighting the Trojan War with his men. He declares that his past adventures have shaped his life. He declares that his retired life is boring and feels tired to stay in the same place. He desires to shine like a metallic instrument and not to remain a rust, “To rush unburnished, not to shine in use!”. The speaker feels bored to sit at home waiting for the end of life. He is a man of adventure and desire for multiple life.

Ulysses speaks about his son Telemachus. He claims that his son is the right person to take over the Kingdom. “This is my son, mine own Telemachus, to whom I leave the scepter and the isle.” He tells that his son is prudent and delicate enough to civilize the savage race of Ithaca. Ulysses identifies his son Telemachus is smart to reign over the Kingdom of Ithaca. He assigns his son to look after the kingdom, and he prepares to sail, “He works his work, I mine.”

In the final stanza, Ulysses addresses the mariners with whom he has worked, traveled, and weathered life’s storms over many years. Now the speaker is old but he declares that he is potential enough to do great things. He suggests that old people are respected but they also have responsibilities, “the long day wanes.” He cheers the old age people to live their life “’tis not too late to seek a newer world.” He desires to sail till the end of his life and reach the happy Isles like the Greek mythological heroes. The old Ulysses realizes that he and his mariners are “strong in will”. They remain determined to work hard, to pursue their goals and accomplish them, and to never give up. “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”