Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s Ulysses is a poem that refuses to sit still. Written in 1833 and published in 1842, it captures the voice of Homer’s hero, known here by his Roman name, Ulysses, after his long return to Ithaca. Instead of settling into domestic life, Ulysses grows restless. He longs for another journey, another challenge, another taste of the world.

For GCSE and A-Level English students, Ulysses is a treasure: a dramatic monologue full of ambition, defiance and existential urgency. It explores what it means to live fully, even in old age, making it a powerful text for discussion, analysis and essay writing.

READ NOW: Ulysees by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Summary of Ulysses

The poem can be read as Ulysses addressing himself, his people, his son and finally his mariners.

1. Discontent with Domestic Life (lines 1–32)
   Ulysses resents ruling Ithaca. His people are “a savage race” concerned with mundane affairs. He compares idleness to rusting, suggesting that life without action decays.
2. Telemachus as Successor (lines 33–43)
   Ulysses contrasts himself with his son. Telemachus, patient and dutiful, is better suited to steady governance. Ulysses refuses to be limited to the role of king.
3. Call to Adventure (lines 44–70)
   In the closing section, Ulysses rallies his old crew for one last voyage. Though aged, he declares that “some work of noble note may yet be done.” The poem culminates in the famous line: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

READ MORE – Poetry Archive for GCSE and A-Level students

What is the point of English Literature?

Form, Structure and Language

Form

• The poem is a dramatic monologue, so all we hear is Ulysses’ perspective. This creates intimacy and immediacy, allowing readers to explore his inner conflicts.
• The flowing blank verse (iambic pentameter without rhyme) mirrors Ulysses’ restless nature, giving the poem a sense of movement and urgency.

Structure

• The poem is tripartite:
  1. Complaint about stagnation
  2. Reflection on Telemachus and responsibility
  3. Rally to adventure
• The progression from introspection to action mirrors the poem’s central theme: thought leads to striving.

Language

• Powerful metaphors: “I will drink / Life to the lees” – life is a cup to be fully consumed.
• Alliteration and consonance: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” – creates rhythm, urgency and memorability.
• Epic diction: Words like “noble,” “adventure,” and “frenzy” elevate Ulysses’ voice, making him heroic.
• Contrast: Ulysses vs. Telemachus – adventurous vs. cautious, highlighting tension between personal ambition and social duty.

Key Quotes and Analysis

1. “I cannot rest from travel: I will drink / Life to the lees.”
   • Analysis: Ulysses refuses a stagnant life. The metaphor of drinking “to the lees” suggests fully experiencing life, even to its bitter end. It conveys urgency and a thirst for experience, key to essays on restlessness and discovery.
2. “As though to breathe were life!”
   • Analysis: This hyperbolic statement criticises mere existence without purpose. Ulysses demands more than survival; he wants meaningful action. This quote is excellent for analysing theme and tone.
3. “I am a part of all that I have met.”
   • Analysis: This line shows Ulysses’ identity as shaped by his experiences. It reflects the Romantic ideal of personal growth through exploration, linking to essays on character development and human experience.
4. “We are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
   • Analysis: This pivotal quote reflects ageing, acceptance of limitation and enduring courage. Ulysses acknowledges physical decline (“made weak by time and fate”) but celebrates mental and moral strength (“strong in will”), making it a core quote for essays on ageing, heroism and resilience.
5. “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
   • Analysis: The final, memorable line epitomises the poem’s moral: never give up. Its rhythm, repetition and conclusive placement make it ideal for essay analysis on tone, form and thematic resolution.

Key Themes

1. Restlessness and Discovery – Life gains meaning through exploration and action.
2. Ageing and Defiance – Even in old age, Ulysses refuses to surrender.
3. Legacy and Leadership – Contrasts between Ulysses and Telemachus explore differing models of duty.
4. Mortality and Immortality – The poem examines the human desire for lasting impact.
5. Victorian Progress – Reflects a society pushing intellectual and geographic boundaries.

Possible Exam Questions & Model Answer Guidance

1. How does Tennyson present the theme of ageing in Ulysses?

Guidance:

• Begin by noting that Ulysses acknowledges his physical decline: “We are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are.”
• Discuss how Tennyson balances this understanding with Ulysses’ unbroken spirit: “made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
• Explain that the poem shows ageing not as an end, but as a stage in life where experience enriches knowledge and understanding.
• Highlight the contrast between Ulysses and his son Telemachus to show different responses to ageing: the son is responsible and practical, while Ulysses seeks continued adventure.
• Conclude by linking to the poem’s broader meaning: even as humans age and face mortality, the pursuit of knowledge and experience remains vital.

Tip: Use the idea of defiance against limitations to show depth in essay analysis.

2. In what ways does Tennyson make Ulysses a heroic figure?

Guidance:

• Introduce Ulysses as heroic in both thought and action, despite being physically aged.
• Use quotes such as: “I cannot rest from travel: I will drink / Life to the lees” to show his determination to fully experience life.
• Highlight the heroic qualities of courage, ambition and leadership: Ulysses inspires his old crew to “set forth” for one last voyage.
• Discuss how the poem frames heroism not just in warfare, but in the relentless pursuit of knowledge, understanding and meaningful experience.
• Conclude by noting that Tennyson presents heroism as enduring moral and intellectual strength, not just physical prowess.

3. Discuss the tension between personal ambition and responsibility in Ulysses.

Guidance:

• Identify the tension between Ulysses’ desire for adventure and his responsibility as king of Ithaca.
• Use the contrast with Telemachus: the son accepts duty, while Ulysses seeks self-fulfilment and experience.
• Analyse the quote: “That which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts”. Ulysses accepts human limitations but refuses to be constrained by them.
• Explore how ambition is linked to the poem’s central idea of pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
• Conclude by evaluating Tennyson’s message: Ulysses’ ambition is not selfish, but a manifestation of human desire to live fully, learn and gain experience.

4. How does Tennyson use the dramatic monologue to shape your understanding of Ulysses’ character?

Guidance:

• Explain that the dramatic monologue allows the reader direct access to Ulysses’ thoughts, revealing his inner restlessness, ambition and philosophical reflection.
• Highlight lines like “I am a part of all that I have met” to show how his character is shaped by experience and the pursuit of knowledge.
• Discuss how the monologue conveys contrast between internal desire and external reality: his ageing, his kingdom and Telemachus’ steadiness.
• Mention language features: first-person voice, rhetorical questions and imperatives to his crew. These create intimacy and immediacy.
• Conclude that the form emphasises Ulysses’ defiance, curiosity and determination to seek understanding despite limitations.

Overarching Points for All Answers:

• The poem’s meaning revolves around the themes of:
  • The relentless pursuit of knowledge and experience
  • Rejection of a life of stagnant comfort
  • Acceptance of mortality
  • A defiant spirit against limitations
• Link quotes directly to these themes. For A-Level answers, also consider historical context (Victorian progress, Romantic ideals) and how Tennyson’s personal grief might influence Ulysses’ outlook.
• Model answers should consistently connect character, language, form and structure to the poem’s central idea: striving for understanding and meaningful experience is a heroic and enduring pursuit.

Founder’s Note: Matt’s Take

Modern Culture

Tennyson’s Ulysses continues to inspire modern audiences. In Dead Poets Society (1989), for example, an extract of the poem is read aloud by the students, demonstrating its enduring relevance to ideas of ambition, self-discovery and the pursuit of knowledge. Its themes of striving and refusing to settle continue to resonate in education, leadership and popular culture, showing how literature can still motivate and challenge us today.

Connecting Ulysses to Apollo Scholars

At Apollo Scholars, we believe that education is more than memorising facts. It is about pursuing knowledge, challenging yourself and striving to understand the world, just as Ulysses never settles for stagnation. Our tuition philosophy mirrors the spirit of Tennyson’s poem: we encourage students to explore ideas deeply, ask questions and push beyond their comfort zones. Whether you are preparing for GCSEs or A-Levels, Apollo Scholars is here to guide you on your own journey of learning, helping you to “strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” in the pursuit of academic excellence and personal growth.