Tennyson's "Ulysses" is a meditation on old age. We meet an aged Ulysses bitterly reflecting on the glory of his legendary youth and contrasting it with the apparently dull state of his advanced years. Rather than fighting epic battles and exploring distant realms, for instance, Ulysses finds himself wasting away on the shores of Ithaca, tending to the "boring" needs of his family and subjects. The poem is, above all else, an evocation of yearning for...
Tennyson's "Ulysses" is a meditation on old age. We meet an aged Ulysses bitterly reflecting on the glory of his legendary youth and contrasting it with the apparently dull state of his advanced years. Rather than fighting epic battles and exploring distant realms, for instance, Ulysses finds himself wasting away on the shores of Ithaca, tending to the "boring" needs of his family and subjects. The poem is, above all else, an evocation of yearning for the glory days.
Ulysses' solution is to abandon his family and his kingdom and set out in search of further adventures. According to the aged king, "Some work of noble note, may yet be done,/ Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods" (52-3), and in making this claim, Ulysses suggests that he's heading off in search of a chance to once again illustrate his heroism. In leaving home in search of adventure, Ulysses assumes he'll solve the problems of old age and reclaim his dignity. Interestingly enough, rather the opposite occurs. Like a former high school quarterback clinging to his memories, Ulysses is blind to the limitations that come with old age and, instead of aging gracefully, he pathetically attempts to reclaim his youth. Thus, the poem has a rather melancholy tone, and it's hard to avoid viewing Ulysses' efforts with pity.
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