12th English – Lesson 4 – Poem – Ulysses
1.
Complete the summary of the poem, choosing words from the list given below.
Lines 1 to 32
Ulysses is (1)
______ to discharge his duties as a (2) ______ , as he longs for (3) ______ He
is filled with an (4) ______ thirst for (5) ______ and wishes to live life to
the (6) ______ He has travelled far and wide gaining (7) ______ of various
places, cultures, men and (8) ______ He recalls with delight his experience at
the battle of Troy. Enriched by his (9) ______ he longs for more and his quest
seems endless. Like metal which would (10) ______ if unused, life without
adventure is meaningless. According to him living is not merely (11) ______ to
stay alive. Though old but zestful, Ulysses looks at every hour as a bringer of
new things and yearns to follow knowledge even if it is (12) ______
Answers:
unwilling
king
adventure
unquenchable
travel
fullest
experience
matters
knowledge
rust
breathing
unattainable
Lines 33 to 42
Ulysses desires to
hand over his (1) _____ to his son Telemachus, who would fulfil his duties
towards his subjects with care and (2) _____ Telemachus possesses patience and
has the will to civilise the citizens of Ithaca in a (3) _____ way. Ulysses is
happy that his son would do his work blamelessly and he would pursue his (4)
_____ for travel and knowledge.
Answer:
kingdom
prudence
tender
quest
Lines 44 to 70
Ulysses beckons his
sailors to (1) _____ at the port where the ship is ready to sail. His
companions who have faced both (2) _____ and sunshine with a smile, are united
by their undying spirit of adventure. Though death would end everything,
Ulysses urges his companions to join him and sail beyond the sunset and seek a
newer (3) _____ , regardless of consequences. These brave hearts who had once
moved (4) _____ and earth, may have grown old and weak . physically but their
spirit is young and (5) _____ His call is an inspiration for all those who seek
true knowledge and strive to lead (6) _____ lives.
Answers:
gather
thunder
world
heaven
undaunted
meaningful
2.
Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.
(а) ‘Ulysses is not happy to perform
his duties as a king.’ Why?
Answer:
Ulysses is not happy to perform the ordinary duties of a king mainly because
his heart is in voyages beyond horizon. He is bored with the task of enforcing
law and order and giving reward and punishment to a savage race.
(b)
What does he think of the people of his kingdom?
Answer:
The citizen of Ithaca hoard, sleep and feed. They don’t understand the
aspirations of the dreamer Ulysses.
(c)
What has Ulysses gained from his travel experiences?
Answer:
Ulysses has met people hailing from different cultural backgrounds. He has
learnt much from their manners, climates, councils and governments. He learnt
strategies of warfare in battles.
(d)
Pick out the lines which convey that his quest for travel is unending.
Answer:
“How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in
use!
The lines quoted above convey his
quest for travel is unending.
(e)
‘As tho’ to breathe were life!’ – From the given line what do you understand of
Ulysses’ attitude to life?
Answer:
Ulysses strongly believes that just breathing is not life. Life has to be
adventurous and full of action.
(J)What
does Ulysses yearn for?
Answer:
Ulysses yearns for following knowledge like a sinking star beyond the utmost
bound of human thought.
(g)Who
does the speaker address in the second part?
Answer:
The speaker addresses the readers in the second part explaining the difference
between his roles and that of Telemachus.
(h)Why
did Ulysses want to hand over the kingdom to his son?
Answer:
Ulysses finds Telemachus discerning and prudent. Besides, Ulysses is wearing
the crown uneasily as the call for adventure and desire to sail beyond sunset
is obsessing his mind. So, he wants to hand over the kingdom to Telemachus.
(i)How
would Telemachus transform the subjects?
Answer:
Ulysses believes that his son Telemachus is wise and kind enough to transform
rugged citizens into mild and civilized subjects by his tenderness and love.
(j)‘He
works his work, I mine’ – How is the work distinguished?
Answer:
Telemachus would do the work of ruling Ithaca with prudence and tenderness.
Ulysses will pursue his dream of adventure and try to meet great Achilles in
the other world.
(k)In
what ways were Ulysses and his mariners alike?
Answer:
Both Ulysses and his fellow sailors are now old. They no more have the strength
they possessed in olden days moving earth and heaven. They are made weak by
time and fate but strong in will “to strive, to seek, to find and not to
yield.” They share the heroic temper and undying quest for knowledge and
adventure.
(l)What
could be the possible outcomes of their travel?
Answer:
The sailors and Ulysses may be washed down by the gulfs or they could touch
Greek paradise and meet their hero Achilles. They may die happily braving the
elements of nature.
3. Identify the figures of speech employed in the following lines.
(a)
“Thro” scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vext
the dim sea…”
Answer:
The figure of speech Personification is employed in the above lines.
(b)“For
always roaming with a hungry heart”
Answer:
Metaphor
(c)“And
drunk delight of battle with my peers;”
Answer:
Metaphor
(d)“…..the
deep
Moans
round with many voices.”
Answer:
Personification
(e)“To
follow knowledge like a sinking star.”
Answer:
Simile
(f)“
There lies the port the vessel puffs her sai”
Answer:
Personification
Appreciate The Poem
4. Read the sets of lines from the poem and answer the questions
that follow.
(a) “…I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and
know not me.”
(i)What
does Ulysses do?
Answer:
Ulysses, like a grocery shop owner, measures and delivers rewards and
punishments unto a large number of uncivilized citizens.
(ii)Did
he enjoy what he was doing? Give reasons.
Answer:
No, he did not enjoy is work. He does not like the idea of ministering variable
justice to people who like “drones” or animals just eat, sleep and multiply
their kind. He wants to leave such work to his son.
(b)“Yet all experience is an arch
wherethrough
Gleams that untravelled world, whose
margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move. ”
(i)What
is experience compared to?
Answer:
Experience is compared to an arch.
(ii)How
do the lines convey that the experience is endless?
Answer:
Through the arch of experience one can see the untravelled world. But the
experience in the untravelled has a margin whose border fades as one moves
forward. Thus experience is endless.
(c)“Little remains: but every hour is
saved
From that eternal silence, something
more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it
were”
(i)How
is every hour important to Ulysses?
Answer:
One lives in this world for a limited time. Every hour can provide new
knowledge. So, every hour is very important.
(ii)What
does the term ‘Little remains’ convey?
Answer:
Ulysses realizes that he has become old. He has not much time left. He doesn’t
want to die resting in his kingdom. He states that his remaining lifetime is
very limited.
(d)“This is my son, mine own
Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the
isle
Well-loved of me,”
(i)Who
does Ulysses entrust his kingdom to, in his absence?
Answer:
Ulysses entrusts his kingdom to his beloved son Telemachus in his absence.
(ii)Bring
out the significance of the ‘sceptre’.
Answer:
Sceptre is an ornamental staff carried by a King on ceremonial occasions as a
symbol of sovereignity. It symbolizes the power of a king.
(e) ‘‘That ever with a frolic welcome
took
The thunder and the sunshine, and
opposed”
(i)What
do ‘thunder’ and ‘sunshine’ refer to?
Answer:
Thunder and sunshine refers to misfortunes and happy days. Ulysses and his
comrades had undergone both kinds of experiences.
(ii)What
do we infer about the attitude of the sailors?
Answer:
The sailors shared the undying quest for exploration, adventure and for seeking
newer knowledge in the untravelled world. They even welcomed dangers in
fighting with Gods. They enjoyed the thrill of action and never worried about
the outcome of battles or quests. They have equal temper of heroic hearts.
(f) ‘‘Death closes all: but something
ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be
done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with
Gods.”
(i)The
above lines convey the undying spirit of Ulysses. Explain.
Answer:
Ulysses is aware of ageing and substantial decrease in his physical strength.
He knows that will close in on him sooner or later. But before that happens, he
wants to sail beyond the sunset/horizon and if possible meet warriors like
Achilles. He wants to achieve something worthy of those who challenged and
fought with Gods. Thus these lines show the undying spirit of Ulysses.
(ii)Pick
out the words in alliteration in the above lines,
Answer:
ere, end, noble, note are the words that alliterate.
(g) “……… for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the
baths Of all the western stars, until I die.”
(i)What
was Ulysses’ purpose in life?
Answer:
Ulysses proposes to sail beyond sunset and baths. His goal is not death but is
in death. He seeks life in death. Ordinary mortals can’t reach ‘Happy isles’ or
baths while they are alive.Ulysses wants to find direct evidence of spiritual
reality after death. He wants to venture into the unknown.
(ii)How long would his venture last?
Answer:
His venture would last until he confronts his death.
(h)“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. ”
(i)Though made weak by time and fate,
the hearts are heroic. Explain.
Answer:
Ulysses and his compatriots have visited many strange places in their previous
voyages and enjoyed misfortunes and glorious triumphs with the same heroic
temperament. They might have become old and may not have the same strength they
had in youth. But they still share the thirst for travel and pursuit of
knowledge in the unexplored world. Their bravery and spiritual strength are
intact.
(ii)Pick out the words in alliteration
in the above lines.
Answer:
Strive, seek, heroic, hearts are the words that alliterate.
5. Explain with reference to the context the following lines.
(a)“I
cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life
to the lees:”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
Ulysses, after spending many years in the seas returns to Ithaca and starts
ruling his country. But his heart is not in the administration of his kingdom.
He wants to sail again. At this context he says these words. He wishes to enjoy
life to the fullest and so he can’t afford to idle away his remaining life as a
king.
(b)“I
am become a name;
For
always roaming with a hungry heart”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
Ulysses says these words while discussing the reputation he has earned among
the common multitude due to his daring adventures. He has roamed the world like
a hungry lion. This line has a biblical alusion as well “Blessed are they which
do hunger and thirst after righteousness” – Matthew V. 6.
Though Ulysses is aware of his fame,
it doesn’t motivate him to stay or settle down in the kingdom of Ithaca. His
inquisitive spirit is always looking for newer knowledge through ‘the arch’ to
the untravelled world.
(c)“How dull it is to pause, to make
an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in
use!”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
The poet says these words while discussing the mental agony of Ulysses who is
unable to settle down with his ageing wife Penelope and son Telemachus. Ulysses
finds doling out justice to a savage people as ‘boring’. He does not want to
settle down and die in Ithaca. He compares himself to a sword which may rust if
left unused. He wants to lead an active and adventurous life till his death.
(d)“To follow knowledge like a sinking
star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human
thought”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
The poet says these words while describing the quest Ulysses has for adventure
and fulfillment. Similar to a sinking star, Ulysses wants to pursue in his
failing old age to pursue knowledge like the goal of Goethe’s Faust, his quest
is defined by the pursuit of new and unique knowledge “beyond the utmost bound
of human thought”.
(e)“He works his work, I mine.’’’’
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
The poet says these words while justifying the decision of Ulysses to pass on
his kingdom to Telemachus. Ulysses explains the polar difference between
himself and his son Telemachus. His son will be a ‘fair’ and ‘decent’ ruler.
Unlike Ulysses, Telemachus is rooted in regular political life. He enjoys
leading “savage” population and the responsibility of showing the subject
better moral codes of conduct and upholding justice. Whereas Ulysses finds this
“slow” and intolerable. So, he wishes his son to rule Ithaca and for himself he
wishes to set sail to the unknown.
(f)“….you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his
toil;”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
Poet, in this part of the monologue describes the address made by Ulysses to
his compatriots who were with him during “thunders and sunshine”. He admits the
fact that they are growing old. But he does not want to retire like ordinary
mortals. He accepts gracefully the honour befitting old age as a result of
varied cultural experiences. Yet, he does not want old people to bow out of the
field of action. He sincerely believes there is more work to be done, lands to
be explored and newer knowledge to be acquired in old age before death.
(g)“The long day wanes: the slow moon
climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
The poet poet continues to discuss old age and the tantalising call of the
oceans to conquer. Ulysses hints at the probable end of the cycle of life in
the words “The long clay wanes”. The symbol of darkness or night is mostly
associated with death. The lure of ocean to resume his voyages beyond the point
of sunset is too tempting to resist. The dark unfathomable sea beckons him and
his compatriots with mysterious voices.
(h)“It may be we shall touch the Happy
Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we
knew.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
The poet says these words through Ulysses as to the probable outcome of the
daring voyage at the fag end of his life. Ulysses is uncertain about the
probable outcome of his last voyage. But he infers that he might reach ‘Happy
Isles’ and see the ‘great Achilles’ who was dipped in the river of life.
(i)“We are not now that strength which
in old days
Moved earth and heaven;”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
The poet says these words through Ulysses when he wants to justify the reasons
for resuming the daring voyage. He admits the decline in the compatriots’
physical strength with which they were able to move heaven and earth in their
youth. He asks his compatriots to ignore the infinity of age and draw on their
inner spiritual strength to resume their voyage beyond sunset.
(j)“To strive, to seek, to find, and
not to yield.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are
from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context
and Explanation:
Tennyson says these words through Ulysses who makes his motto loud and clear in
these words. The final line of the poem is Ulysses’ enduring challenge to
readers as well. The challenge if the aged ones could push ahead with vigour
and strength of will no matter how fragile their bodies are. To yield to age or
weakness is to be less than fully human. It might be honourable to live a
peaceful settled life in the old age. But one would naturally miss out most
exciting moments of life if one does not venture out, at least a little towards
the unknown.
6. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 100 words
each.
(a)What
makes Ulysses seek newer adventures?
Answer:
In the context of
the poem, Ulysses has grown old. He has experienced all daring adventures. He
has won the hearts of people during the battle at Troy. Back home, as per the
prophecy of Tiresias, he rules Ithaca for a brief time. But he is fed up with a
conventional duties of a king. He laments his own uselessness as a ruler of
idle people who lead life like savages, just eating and sleeping. They don’t
understand the over vaulting ambition of their adventurous king Ulysses who had
moved earth and heavens in the past. He wishes to embark upon his next voyage.
It might be his last. He is quite sensitive to the moans of the seas
tantalising him and his compatriots to set sail quickly. He wants “to drink
life to the lees”. Ulysses doesn’t want to bask on the glory he has earned in
the past.
His inquisitive
spirit is restless. He has seen much’ and acquired knowledge of various
cultures of the world. But he considers all such experiences like an “arch”
leading him to the unexplored or “untravelled world”. He wants to sail towards
the area ‘beyond sunset’. He must shine in use like a sword but not “rust
unbumished”. Yet at home, in the kingdom of Ithaca, he feels bored and yearns
to truly engage with what is left of life. He is impatient for “new”
experiences lamenting everyday and every hour to seek “something more”. His
quest for adventure and fulfillment, like the goal of Goethe’s Faust is defined
by the pursuit of new knowledge “beyond the utmost bound of human thought”.
(b)List
the roles and responsibilities Ulysses assigns to his son Telemachus, while he
is away.
Answer:
The entire poem is
a monologue. Yet the second part of the poem is an address to the readers
justifying his decision to transfer the rule to his son Telemachus. The cloak
of a king seems to be unfit for the temperament of Uly sses. He finds ruling
Ithaca a boring thing. He finds Telemachus rooted to the political life of
Ithaca. His role is merely to lead a ‘savage race’ to accept standard norms of
behaviour in the society. He believes Telemachus fits well with the role of the
ruler of “uninspired and imprudent citizens” and may discharge his duties with
honour and grace. When he is away, he wants his son Telemachus to dispense
variable justice to the subjects of Ithaca and guide them in the path of
virtues and morals.
(c)What
is Ulysses’ clarion call to his sailors? How does he inspire them?
Answer:
In the third part
of the poem, Ulysses makes a clarion call to his hearty compatriots (i.e.)
mariners. They have been with him both during ‘thick and thin’ or thunders or
sunshine. Similar to Ulysses they possess “free hearts and free foreheads”
(i.e.) their hearts and brains are unburdened by domestic cares and
resposibilities. They had frolicsome time fighting along with Ulysses against
great warriors and Gods in the past. Ulysses does not want to live in memory of
glory. He believes they need not waste away their precious time in nostalgic
memories just recounting their escapades to younger generation. They can really
do ‘ something of noble note’ before the end. He is conscious of the impending
death in old age. But he tells it is not “too late to seek a newer world”.
The many “voices of
the ocean” call out to the mariners to resume voyage. Ulysses is not content
with having earned a name for himself. He has seen many countries and acquired
knowledge of various cultures. Those experiences are not to be taken as
accomplishments. They are just an ‘arch’leading them to “untravelled world” and
constantly sailing to the ever expanding horizon. He does not want his
compatriots to miss even an hour which could prrovide them novel experiences in
their voyage. He persuades his compatriots to gather at the port as the sails
are already puffing up welcoming them all. Their life would be one of
fulfillment only when they venture out into the unkown on the seas. He uses an
emotional bait to his mariners. He highlights the probable outcome of their
voyage. They might reach the “Happy Isles” (i.e.) great paradise and meet
Achilles, their war hero. No matter how much strength they have, they still
have some “strength of will” left to strive, to seek, to find, and not to
yield.
Listening Activity
Listen to the poem and fill in the
blanks with appropriate words and phrases. If required listen to the poem
again.
1.
works like madness in the poet.
(a) Wander – Thirst
(b) Bidding
Farewell
(c) Eastern Sunrise
(d) Western Seas
Answer:
(a) Wander – Thirst
2.A
man could choose as his guide.
(a) the sun
(b) the hills
(c) a star
(d) a bird
Answer:
(c) a star
3.There
is no end of once the voice is heard.
(a) walking
(b) roaming
(c) talking
(d) voyaging
Answer:
(d) voyaging
4.The
old ships return, while the young ships
(a) drift
(b) move
(c) sail
(d) wander
Answer:
(c) sail
5.The
blame is on the sun, stars, the road and the
(a) hills
(b) trees
(c) seas
(d) sky
Answer:
(d) sky
