by Beth Gaboury

Created on: July 08, 2011

           The poem “Ulysses” by Alfred Tennyson is a narrative of the Greek mythology hero Ulysses, also known under the name Odysseus. In this poem, Ulysses is describing his deep urge to go out into the wild unknown and seek out one last adventure-one last hurrah. In a strange twist of irony, it is when Ulysses reaches his goal, finally returning home to his wife and son, that he realizes his true desire.

            Ulysses begins his monologue with an interesting title for himself; “idle king” (1). We can interpret this as his acknowledgement that he has been away for a long time, and his kingdom has not been under his direct rule. Ulysses’ dismay at his return home is evident early on; “Matched with an aged wife” and “Unequal laws unto a savage race” (3-4). It seems that being away from home for so long distorted his sense of time, and his general views on humans. Calling his own people a “savage race” implies that his attitude towards the human race has shifted, and he has come to think higher of himself, and expect more of his race. Having traveled for years and fought against the forces of the very gods themselves, Ulysses may see anyone that has not accomplished such feats as inadequate and undeserving of praise. He goes on to say that these “savage” people “hoard, and sleep, and feed” (5). Quite simply put, he finds them dull and animal like, not striving beyond their basic instincts.

            Ulysses’ arrogance and pride in himself becomes evident in the second stanza; “I am become a name” (11). He knows that his fame is widespread and that people speak of him with admiration and call him a hero. This praise and adoration seems to ignite a desire in him to seek out more opportunities to glorify himself; “For always roaming with a hungry heart” (12). Ulysses expresses his growing yen to seek out adventure again, comparing his experiences to an “Arch wherethrough / Gleams that untraveled world those margin fades / Forever and forever when I move” (19-21). The arch, a symbol for an entry way into a new world or dimension, is beckoning to Ulysses. He can see the very beginnings of that undiscovered world, lying just beyond the archway. However, as he becomes deeper

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