what are the ideas and attitude expressed in Tennyson's Ulysses?
Answers
The main ideas expressed in the poem 'Ulysses' by Alfred Tennyson are zest for life, acceptance of ageing and death and handing over responsibilities to the next generation. The latter is a minor theme.
Though Ulysses is a ruler, he feels that he is an 'idle king.' He 'cannot rest from travel' and finds it 'vile' to be wasting his time. Instead he wants to 'follow knowledge like a sinking star' and learn and accomplish as much as he can. His aim in life is to make each moment count.
Ulysses knows that he is old but he feels that it is 'dull' to 'pause' and 'To rust unburnish'd' and is also aware that death or 'eternal silence' is inevitable. He acknowledges the fact that age has made him and his mates weak but he believes that they are seasoned adventurers with 'heroic hearts'. Yet his 'gray spirit' desires to travel the world. To him age is not a factor that will stop him from enjoying life. He says "T is not too late to seek a newer world.'
A comparatively minor idea is the concept of succession. Being a king, Ulysses knows that he has to manage his kingdom. Yet, he feels that he needs to hand over the reins to his son, who is sensible enough to take charge of the throne. Ulysses expresses his desire to let the next generation come into the picture and actively manage the royal affairs.
'Ulysses' is a poem full of positivity. It touches upon both life and death and reminds the readers of how life should be enjoyed 'to the lees.'