Ulysses as a representative of the Victorian Age
Introduction
Tennyson represents his age, not in fragment, but completely. "For nearly half century" says W.J. Long, " Tennyson was not only a man and a poet, he was a voice, the voice of a whole people, expressing in exquisite melody their doubts and their faith, their grieves and their triumphs. As a poet who expresses not so much a personal as a national spirit, he is probably the most representative literary man of the Victorian era". He also, added "Throughout entire Victorian period Tennyson stood at the summit of the poetry in England". Victorian age is also known as Renaissance. It is the age of new inventions and discoveries. Victorian age was an age of vaulting spirit in which zeal and passion towards one who works are seen.
The salient feature of the age were moderation in politics, refined culture, religious liberalism checquered by doubt, a lively interest in the advance of scientific discovery coupled with the fear that it might lead people astray. Tennyson's writing reflect the time he belonged. Clearly saying, the lifestyle, emotions and feelings, thoughts, etc. of the Victorian people are present in his writings. His writing depicts a total picture of Victorian society before the readers. Though we live in the present world for a while we get wings and fly in the world backing some sanctuaries and witness their everything: culture, sorrows and sufferings, joys and adventures. "Ulysses" is a good specimen on the statement.
In the poem, Ulysses projects the picture of a great Greek mythological hero who is commenced his journey for a lifetime. Ulysses says that he is not satisfied by the domestic ways of life that he has to follow as a king of Ithaca, his country. Idea of travelling is basically came in the Victorian age which is something new. Ulysses likes to travel. He considers himself as a traveller. He is a great hero; loved adventure. Ulysses is a 'Darwinian Species'. As Darwin believes in logic, Ulysses also believes in logic. He fought in the Trojan War for ten years and also visited many countries on the way back home for more than ten years. This long journey made up permanent impression on him. He tasted the joy knowing the unknown, exploring the unseen and also suffered much alone with his mates. He has become a name. He has confronted with many civilized people also. But now he is dealing with such people who are just self-centered, to him "savage race/ that hoard, and sleep and feed." They have no ability to understand the greatness of this great hero. Critics have commented that the depiction of mass was according to a part of Victoria mass who led the same life.
Then Ulysses recollects the memories of his long journey and find them better than this present situation. He tells us his ardent desire by saying:
"I cannot rest from travel:
I will drink
Life to the lees."
Ulysses wishes to 'seize the day'. He wanted to enjoy every moment of his life. Ulysses is a 'Santiagoan figure'. As great old Santiago in 'The Old Man and the Sea' never accepted the defeat and wanted to fulfill his wish. Ulysses also never accepted the defeat and he always wanted to go beyond the sun.
He also said that life is for action. Man must go forward:
"To strive, to seek, to find
and not to yield. "
This line capture the zeitgeist of the Victorian people. In Victorian age there is a bourgeois which accepts social quotes and manners. Even the son of Ulysses Telemachus is a bourgeois, but Ulysses is not different from them. He is very different. They used to consider life as an opportunity to know the unknown to see the unseen. As it results, many people let expedition to explore newer world, many devoted themselves in the scientific research that occurred industrial development. They believed that "a sword remains shiny if it is in use". Likewise life is a sword and it is must be used in actions defying all challenges. Thus this poem depicts the life of class of people of the period.
In Victoria age knowledge is celebrated. Ulysses had an unquenchable thirst for the knowledge. In the same way, Faustus of 'Dr. Faustus' also have that unquenchable desire for the knowledge point in Elizabethan period knowledge is known as fatal flaw; Faustus overambitious unquenchable first for the knowledge has ruined his life. But in Victoria age knowledge is not a fatal flaw instead celebration of knowledge is at the epicenter of the Victorian age.
Ulysses knows how to handle the people. Sometime he may be mild or sometimes he will be harsh. He know how to fulfill his duties. He even adores God. The classification of the society was clearly seen in this poem by the two different characters of the Victorian age through Ulysses and his son Telemachus.
"Old age hath yet his honour
and his toil."
In lines speaking of old age, Ulysses suggests that even though old people are respected, they also have the responsibility. They have to act like a good leader. He has to motivate his fellows and fulfill his responsibilities. He has to find the way, show the way and go the way.
In the end Ulysses says that
"tis not too late to seek a
newer world."
He encourages his fellow mariners to make use of their old age. He declares that his goal is to sale onward "beyond the sunset" until his death.
Ulysses is a dramatic monologue. The poem is pretty much preaching and didactic. The first few lines are of contemplation. This poem shows the power of literature. In the poem the poet shows the reflection on life and philosophy. Idea of progressive development is the theme of the poem. "A bringer of the new things" is an ideology of the Victorian age which Ulysses show in this poem.
Thus, Ulysses looks at living as a grand adventure and considered inactivity and lethargy as the opposite of true living. Ulysses is written in blank verse, and this gives the poem a solemn, speech like, and less soothing sound. Throughout the poem Ulysses expresses the feeling of realism and somberness that the blank verse create helps convey the sense of entrapment in old age and longing for the sea and good old days. Tennyson in his poem 'Ulysses' describes how Ulysses is longing for the next adventure - either a little one, or the adventure of death - and every new experience has left him hungering after new glimpses of discovery. Also Tennyson uses description of the sea and land to create moods in the poem. Findlay says, "References to earth, air, fire and water convey mood and express judgement. The expansive ocean is firmly established as Ulysses element." Tennyson from the mouth of Ulysses opines "The man is born for death but not for defeat." Ulysses sees his life in terms of drinking "delight of battle", and the ocean as a possible final resting place.
The salient feature of the age were moderation in politics, refined culture, religious liberalism checquered by doubt, a lively interest in the advance of scientific discovery coupled with the fear that it might lead people astray. Tennyson's writing reflect the time he belonged. Clearly saying, the lifestyle, emotions and feelings, thoughts, etc. of the Victorian people are present in his writings. His writing depicts a total picture of Victorian society before the readers. Though we live in the present world for a while we get wings and fly in the world backing some sanctuaries and witness their everything: culture, sorrows and sufferings, joys and adventures. "Ulysses" is a good specimen on the statement.
In the poem, Ulysses projects the picture of a great Greek mythological hero who is commenced his journey for a lifetime. Ulysses says that he is not satisfied by the domestic ways of life that he has to follow as a king of Ithaca, his country. Idea of travelling is basically came in the Victorian age which is something new. Ulysses likes to travel. He considers himself as a traveller. He is a great hero; loved adventure. Ulysses is a 'Darwinian Species'. As Darwin believes in logic, Ulysses also believes in logic. He fought in the Trojan War for ten years and also visited many countries on the way back home for more than ten years. This long journey made up permanent impression on him. He tasted the joy knowing the unknown, exploring the unseen and also suffered much alone with his mates. He has become a name. He has confronted with many civilized people also. But now he is dealing with such people who are just self-centered, to him "savage race/ that hoard, and sleep and feed." They have no ability to understand the greatness of this great hero. Critics have commented that the depiction of mass was according to a part of Victoria mass who led the same life.
Then Ulysses recollects the memories of his long journey and find them better than this present situation. He tells us his ardent desire by saying:
"I cannot rest from travel:
I will drink
Life to the lees."
Ulysses wishes to 'seize the day'. He wanted to enjoy every moment of his life. Ulysses is a 'Santiagoan figure'. As great old Santiago in 'The Old Man and the Sea' never accepted the defeat and wanted to fulfill his wish. Ulysses also never accepted the defeat and he always wanted to go beyond the sun.
He also said that life is for action. Man must go forward:
"To strive, to seek, to find
and not to yield. "
This line capture the zeitgeist of the Victorian people. In Victorian age there is a bourgeois which accepts social quotes and manners. Even the son of Ulysses Telemachus is a bourgeois, but Ulysses is not different from them. He is very different. They used to consider life as an opportunity to know the unknown to see the unseen. As it results, many people let expedition to explore newer world, many devoted themselves in the scientific research that occurred industrial development. They believed that "a sword remains shiny if it is in use". Likewise life is a sword and it is must be used in actions defying all challenges. Thus this poem depicts the life of class of people of the period.
In Victoria age knowledge is celebrated. Ulysses had an unquenchable thirst for the knowledge. In the same way, Faustus of 'Dr. Faustus' also have that unquenchable desire for the knowledge point in Elizabethan period knowledge is known as fatal flaw; Faustus overambitious unquenchable first for the knowledge has ruined his life. But in Victoria age knowledge is not a fatal flaw instead celebration of knowledge is at the epicenter of the Victorian age.
Ulysses knows how to handle the people. Sometime he may be mild or sometimes he will be harsh. He know how to fulfill his duties. He even adores God. The classification of the society was clearly seen in this poem by the two different characters of the Victorian age through Ulysses and his son Telemachus.
"Old age hath yet his honour
and his toil."
In lines speaking of old age, Ulysses suggests that even though old people are respected, they also have the responsibility. They have to act like a good leader. He has to motivate his fellows and fulfill his responsibilities. He has to find the way, show the way and go the way.
In the end Ulysses says that
"tis not too late to seek a
newer world."
He encourages his fellow mariners to make use of their old age. He declares that his goal is to sale onward "beyond the sunset" until his death.
Ulysses is a dramatic monologue. The poem is pretty much preaching and didactic. The first few lines are of contemplation. This poem shows the power of literature. In the poem the poet shows the reflection on life and philosophy. Idea of progressive development is the theme of the poem. "A bringer of the new things" is an ideology of the Victorian age which Ulysses show in this poem.
Thus, Ulysses looks at living as a grand adventure and considered inactivity and lethargy as the opposite of true living. Ulysses is written in blank verse, and this gives the poem a solemn, speech like, and less soothing sound. Throughout the poem Ulysses expresses the feeling of realism and somberness that the blank verse create helps convey the sense of entrapment in old age and longing for the sea and good old days. Tennyson in his poem 'Ulysses' describes how Ulysses is longing for the next adventure - either a little one, or the adventure of death - and every new experience has left him hungering after new glimpses of discovery. Also Tennyson uses description of the sea and land to create moods in the poem. Findlay says, "References to earth, air, fire and water convey mood and express judgement. The expansive ocean is firmly established as Ulysses element." Tennyson from the mouth of Ulysses opines "The man is born for death but not for defeat." Ulysses sees his life in terms of drinking "delight of battle", and the ocean as a possible final resting place.
Conclusion
Succinctly, "Ulysses", therefore, represents Victorian desires, aspirations for adventures. It captures the whole gamut of life in the Victorian period. Like mythical Ulysses, the Victorians were undaunted in making all out efforts to know the unknown and expose the yet unexplore areas of physical and abstract world. Tennyson has presented his own age through Ulysses and his Ulysses seems to be more Victorian than Homeric. In this poem, Ulysses stands for the spirit of noble, untiring effort that is an important aspect of Victorian England. We may, therefore, rightly regard Tennyson as the perfect mouthpiece of his age, both in its merits and in its shortcomings.
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