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Questions and Answers
Where has Ulysses returned to after fighting in the Trojan War?
Where has Ulysses returned to after fighting in the Trojan War?
What is Ulysses' attitude towards the people he governs?
What is Ulysses' attitude towards the people he governs?
What does Ulysses long for?
What does Ulysses long for?
Who will inherit Ulysses' throne?
Who will inherit Ulysses' throne?
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How does Ulysses perceive Telemachus' abilities as a king?
How does Ulysses perceive Telemachus' abilities as a king?
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What does Ulysses call upon his fellow mariners to do?
What does Ulysses call upon his fellow mariners to do?
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What is Ulysses' ultimate goal in his quest?
What is Ulysses' ultimate goal in his quest?
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What is the tone of Ulysses' language?
What is the tone of Ulysses' language?
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What is the dominant meter of the poem 'Ulysses'?
What is the dominant meter of the poem 'Ulysses'?
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What is the name of the poet who wrote the poem 'Ulysses'?
What is the name of the poet who wrote the poem 'Ulysses'?
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How many lines does the poem 'Ulysses' consist of?
How many lines does the poem 'Ulysses' consist of?
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What is the name of the poet who remarked about the slow pace of the poem's language?
What is the name of the poet who remarked about the slow pace of the poem's language?
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What is the purpose of the enjambments in the poem 'Ulysses'?
What is the purpose of the enjambments in the poem 'Ulysses'?
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What was the event that inspired Tennyson to write the poem 'Ulysses'?
What was the event that inspired Tennyson to write the poem 'Ulysses'?
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Who was the close friend of Tennyson who died in 1833?
Who was the close friend of Tennyson who died in 1833?
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What is the poem 'Ulysses' presented as?
What is the poem 'Ulysses' presented as?
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What is the name of the critic who views the poem as a dialectic?
What is the name of the critic who views the poem as a dialectic?
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When was the poem 'Ulysses' published?
When was the poem 'Ulysses' published?
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What news did Tennyson receive that affected his outlook?
What news did Tennyson receive that affected his outlook?
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Who did Tennyson share his grief with after Hallam's death?
Who did Tennyson share his grief with after Hallam's death?
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What attraction did Ulysses' determination have for Tennyson?
What attraction did Ulysses' determination have for Tennyson?
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What was the title of Tennyson's poetry book published in 1832?
What was the title of Tennyson's poetry book published in 1832?
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Which poet introduced the character of Ulysses?
Which poet introduced the character of Ulysses?
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What is the title of the poem where Tennyson's character, Ulysses, is contemplating undertaking a new voyage?
What is the title of the poem where Tennyson's character, Ulysses, is contemplating undertaking a new voyage?
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Who is the main source of Tennyson's character, Ulysses?
Who is the main source of Tennyson's character, Ulysses?
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What is the name of Tennyson's sister who was engaged to Hallam?
What is the name of Tennyson's sister who was engaged to Hallam?
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In which canto of Dante's Inferno does Ulisse recall his voyage?
In which canto of Dante's Inferno does Ulisse recall his voyage?
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What is the title of the poem where Tennyson's grief over Hallam's death is reflected?
What is the title of the poem where Tennyson's grief over Hallam's death is reflected?
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What criticism did Baum have against Ulysses?
What criticism did Baum have against Ulysses?
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Who is compared to Ulysses in terms of character flaws?
Who is compared to Ulysses in terms of character flaws?
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What is Ulysses' attitude towards his son Telemachus?
What is Ulysses' attitude towards his son Telemachus?
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What does Ulysses seek to do in the poem?
What does Ulysses seek to do in the poem?
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What is the tone of the poem according to critics?
What is the tone of the poem according to critics?
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What is criticized about the poem's narrative structure?
What is criticized about the poem's narrative structure?
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What does Herbert Tucker suggest about Tennyson's characters?
What does Herbert Tucker suggest about Tennyson's characters?
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What is compared to Ulysses' final utterance in the poem?
What is compared to Ulysses' final utterance in the poem?
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Which of Shakespeare's works is referenced in the poem 'Ulysses'?
Which of Shakespeare's works is referenced in the poem 'Ulysses'?
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What is the title of Dante's work that influences Tennyson's poem?
What is the title of Dante's work that influences Tennyson's poem?
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What is the theme of Ulysses' final sentiments in the poem?
What is the theme of Ulysses' final sentiments in the poem?
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What is the name of the poet who wrote the poem 'Ulysses'?
What is the name of the poet who wrote the poem 'Ulysses'?
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What is the tone of Ulysses' speech to his sailors in the poem?
What is the tone of Ulysses' speech to his sailors in the poem?
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What is the significance of the line 'To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield'?
What is the significance of the line 'To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield'?
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What is the context of Ulysses' monologue in the poem?
What is the context of Ulysses' monologue in the poem?
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What is the critical interpretation of Ulysses' final sentiments in the poem?
What is the critical interpretation of Ulysses' final sentiments in the poem?
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Who inspires Ulysses' character in the poem?
Who inspires Ulysses' character in the poem?
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What is the significance of the phrase 'Come, my friends, / 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world'?
What is the significance of the phrase 'Come, my friends, / 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world'?
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Study Notes
Poem Overview
- The poem "Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is about the character Ulysses from Homer's Odyssey.
- The poem is written in blank verse and consists of 70 lines.
- The poem is a dramatic monologue, with Ulysses speaking about his desire to leave his kingdom and seek new adventures.
Structure and Style
- The poem is divided into four sections, with the first and third sections being thematically parallel.
- The poem's language is unelaborated but forceful, with a focus on conveying Ulysses' conflicting emotions.
- The poem features a mix of iambic pentameter and spondees, which creates a sense of tension and conflict.
Themes
- The poem explores the theme of the human desire for experience and knowledge.
- Ulysses is driven by a sense of restlessness and discontent, feeling that his life is too quiet and uneventful.
- The poem also touches on the theme of aging and mortality, with Ulysses aware of his own decline and the passing of time.
Autobiographical Elements
- The poem was written after the death of Tennyson's close friend, Arthur Henry Hallam.
- Tennyson was grieving and feeling lost, and the poem reflects his own emotions and struggles.
- The poem is a way for Tennyson to express his own feelings of restlessness and discontent.
Influences
- The poem is influenced by Homer's Odyssey, as well as Dante's Inferno.
- The character of Ulysses is drawn from both of these sources, as well as from Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida.
- The poem's language and style are also influenced by these sources, with a focus on creating a sense of grandeur and epic scope.
Interpretations
- The poem has been interpreted in many ways, with some readers seeing it as a celebration of the human spirit and others as a critique of Ulysses' flaws.
- Some readers have seen the poem as a reflection of Tennyson's own emotions and struggles, while others have seen it as a more universal exploration of the human condition.
- The poem's final line, "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield," has been interpreted as a call to action, a statement of defiance, and a reflection of Ulysses' flaws.
Legacy
- The poem is considered one of Tennyson's most famous and influential works.
- It has been widely studied and admired, and has had a significant impact on the development of poetry and literature.
- The poem's themes and ideas continue to resonate with readers today, making it a powerful and enduring work of literature.
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Description
Explore Tennyson's poem Ulysses, a reflective monologue by the hero, as he struggles with identity, purpose, and mortality. Delve into the themes, imagery, and character insights revealed in this classic poem.
