46 Questions
Where has Ulysses returned to after fighting in the Trojan War?
Ithaca
What is Ulysses' attitude towards the people he governs?
Indifferent
What does Ulysses long for?
Further experience and knowledge
Who will inherit Ulysses' throne?
Telemachus
How does Ulysses perceive Telemachus' abilities as a king?
Most blameless
What does Ulysses call upon his fellow mariners to do?
To join him on another quest
What is Ulysses' ultimate goal in his quest?
To sail beyond the sunset
What is the tone of Ulysses' language?
Unelaborated but forceful
What is the dominant meter of the poem 'Ulysses'?
Iambic pentameter
What is the name of the poet who wrote the poem 'Ulysses'?
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
How many lines does the poem 'Ulysses' consist of?
70
What is the name of the poet who remarked about the slow pace of the poem's language?
Matthew Arnold
What is the purpose of the enjambments in the poem 'Ulysses'?
To create a sense of restlessness
What was the event that inspired Tennyson to write the poem 'Ulysses'?
The death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam
Who was the close friend of Tennyson who died in 1833?
Arthur Henry Hallam
What is the poem 'Ulysses' presented as?
A dramatic monologue
What is the name of the critic who views the poem as a dialectic?
Dwight Culler
When was the poem 'Ulysses' published?
1842
What news did Tennyson receive that affected his outlook?
The news of Hallam's death
Who did Tennyson share his grief with after Hallam's death?
His sister, Emily
What attraction did Ulysses' determination have for Tennyson?
His determination to defy circumstance
What was the title of Tennyson's poetry book published in 1832?
Not specified
Which poet introduced the character of Ulysses?
Homer
What is the title of the poem where Tennyson's character, Ulysses, is contemplating undertaking a new voyage?
Ulysses
Who is the main source of Tennyson's character, Ulysses?
Dante
What is the name of Tennyson's sister who was engaged to Hallam?
Emily
In which canto of Dante's Inferno does Ulisse recall his voyage?
The 26th canto
What is the title of the poem where Tennyson's grief over Hallam's death is reflected?
In Memoriam A.H.H.
What criticism did Baum have against Ulysses?
Inconsistencies in the poem
Who is compared to Ulysses in terms of character flaws?
Lord Byron
What is Ulysses' attitude towards his son Telemachus?
Condescending
What does Ulysses seek to do in the poem?
Find a new adventure
What is the tone of the poem according to critics?
Melancholic
What is criticized about the poem's narrative structure?
Lack of action
What does Herbert Tucker suggest about Tennyson's characters?
They are moved inwardly by moving through time and space
What is compared to Ulysses' final utterance in the poem?
Satan's courageous phrase
Which of Shakespeare's works is referenced in the poem 'Ulysses'?
Hamlet
What is the title of Dante's work that influences Tennyson's poem?
The Divine Comedy
What is the theme of Ulysses' final sentiments in the poem?
Courage and perseverance
What is the name of the poet who wrote the poem 'Ulysses'?
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
What is the tone of Ulysses' speech to his sailors in the poem?
Determined and courageous
What is the significance of the line 'To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield'?
It echoes Dante's character Ulisse
What is the context of Ulysses' monologue in the poem?
A recollection while situated in Hell
What is the critical interpretation of Ulysses' final sentiments in the poem?
It promotes the questing spirit of youth
Who inspires Ulysses' character in the poem?
Dante's Ulisse
What is the significance of the phrase 'Come, my friends, / 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world'?
It showcases Ulysses' determination to explore
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.
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.
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