Dear Class 12 Samacheer Kalvi Students, here are the Unit 4 Poem Ulysses text book solutions for your reference.
Summary : Ulysses
Alfred Tennyson was the Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland during Queen Victoria’s reign and is one of the most popular British poets.
The poem “Ulysses,” is a dramatic monologue that captures the thoughts of the aged hero Ulysses as he reflects on his life after returning to his kingdom, Ithaca.
Theme: Adventure, restlessness, and the quest for meaning in old age.
Ulysses is deeply dissatisfied with his current life as king of Ithaca. He finds little joy in idly sitting by his hearth, surrounded by barren cliffs, ruling over a savage race with unequal laws. Ulysses feels that his people are uncultured and unappreciative of him.
He is restless and longing to experience life to the fullest. He reflects on his past glories and sufferings, both with loved ones and alone, on land and at sea.
Ulysses has seen many cultures, climates, councils, and governments. He had been honoured among them all and had enjoyed the thrill of battle with his peers. Yet, he views all these experiences as a gateway to the untraveled world that continually beckons him.
He compares an idle life to a rusting piece of metal that loses its shine without use. He believes that merely existing is not truly living, as true life involves constant activity and purpose.
He reflects on how even multiple lifetimes would be insufficient for all he desires to achieve. He acknowledges that little time remains for him and it would be disgraceful to waste any of this precious time.
He is determined to seek wisdom and experiences beyond the farthest reaches of human understanding, like a star that continuously sinks yet guides the way.
Ulysses has entrusted his kingdom to his son, Telemachus. He is convinced that Telemachus can wisely and patiently govern the land. He can civilize the rugged people of the kingdom through gentle and gradual means. He will guide them towards useful and good practices. He says that Telemachus will carry out his duties, honouring the family’s traditions and deities in Ulysses’ absence.
While Telemachus manages the responsibilities at home, Ulysses prepares to continue his own journey, as his ship is ready to set sail. His loyal sailors, who have worked, toiled, and thought alongside him, have always greeted both challenges and successes with enthusiasm and resilience. They have faced storms and sunshine together, demonstrating their unwavering spirit.
Ulysses acknowledges that despite their old age, both he and his sailors still possess honour and the capacity for meaningful work. He recognizes that death will eventually end all their endeavours, but he hopes they can achieve something of great significance before that final moment arrives.
Ulysses intends to sail beyond the western stars until his death. He acknowledges the possibility that their journey may lead to their downfall or that they might reach the mythical Happy Isles and meet the great Greek hero Achilles.
Ulysses reflects that although they are no longer as strong as they were in their youth, they are still united in their courageous spirit. Despite being weakened by time and fate, their will remains strong, and they are determined to strive, seek, and discover, refusing to give up.
Moral: Life should be lived with relentless pursuit and courage, regardless of age or challenges.
1. Complete the summary of the poem, choosing words from the list given below.
Lines 1 to 32
Ulysses is (1) unwilling to discharge his duties as a (2) king, as he longs for (3) travel. He is filled with an (4) unquenchable thirst for (5) adventure and wishes to live life to the (6) fullest. He has travelled far and wide gaining (7) experience of various places, cultures, men and (8) matters. He recalls with delight his experience at the battle of Troy. Enriched by his (9) knowledge he longs for more and his quest seems endless. Like metal which would (10) rust if unused, life without adventure is meaningless. According to him living is not merely (11) breathing 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) unattainable.
fullest, unquenchable, unattainable, experience, knowledge, king, matters, rust, adventure, unwilling, travel, breathing
Lines 33 to 42
Ulysses desires to hand over his (1) kingdom to his son Telemachus, who would fulfil his duties towards his subjects with care and (2) tender. Telemachus possesses patience and has the will to civilise the citizens of Ithaca in a (3) prudence way. Ulysses is happy that his son would do his work blamelessly and he would pursue his (4) quest for travel and knowledge.
prudence, kingdom, quest, tender
Lines 44 to 70
Ulysses beckons his sailors to (1) gather at the port where the ship is ready to sail. His companions who have faced both (2) thunder 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) world regardless of consequences. These brave hearts who had once moved (4) heaven and earth, may have grown old and weak physically but their spirit is young and (5) undaunted. His call is an inspiration for all those who seek true knowledge and strive to lead (6) meaningful lives.
world, thunder, meaningful, gather, undaunted, heaven
2. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.
a) ‘Ulysses is not happy to perform his duties as a king.’ Why?
Answer: Ulysses feels unfulfilled by the routine and administrative tasks of a king, longing instead for the adventure and exploration that he once experienced.
b) What does he think of the people of his kingdom?
Answer: Ulysses views the people of his kingdom as savages who merely hoard, sleep, and feed. They lack appreciation for his greatness and the higher pursuits of life.
c) What has Ulysses gained from his travel experiences?
Answer: Ulysses has gained a profound sense of wisdom, a deep appreciation for adventure, and a relentless desire to continue exploring the unknown.
d) Pick out the lines which convey that his quest for travel is unending.
Answer:
1. I cannot rest from travel.
2. I will drink Life to the lees
3. And this gray spirit yearning in desire
4. ‘T is not too late to seek a newer world
5. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
e) ‘As tho’ to breathe were life!’ – From the given line what do you understand of Ulysses’ attitude to life?
Answer: Ulysses finds mere existence without purpose or action to be a shallow and unfulfilling way of life. It is equal to just breathing without living fully.
f) What does Ulysses yearn for?
Answer: Ulysses yearns for continuous adventure, exploration, and the pursuit of new knowledge, beyond the confines of ordinary life.
g) Who does the speaker address in the second part?
Answer: In the second part, Ulysses addresses the people in his kingdom. He tells them that he is leaving the kingdom to his son Telemachus, who will rule them with care and prudence.
h) Why did Ulysses want to hand over the kingdom to his son?
Answer: Ulysses wanted to hand over the kingdom to his son, Telemachus, because he believed Telemachus was better suited to manage the responsibilities of kingship, which required a steady and prudent approach.
i) How would Telemachus transform the subjects?
Answer: Telemachus would transform the subjects by gently guiding them towards a more ordered and civilized way of life, fulfilling his duties with patience and wisdom.
j) ‘He works his work, I mine’ – How is the work distinguished?
Answer: Ulysses distinguishes his work from Telemachus’ by noting that he pursues adventurous and heroic deeds, while Telemachus focuses on the practical and steady duties of governance.
k) In what ways were Ulysses and his mariners alike?
Answer: Ulysses and his mariners were alike in their age, adventurous spirit, resilience, and willingness to face challenges and uncertainties together.
l) What could be the possible outcomes of their travel?
Answer: The possible outcomes of their travel could include encountering new lands, facing dangers, or achieving significant discoveries. They might also reach mythical places like the Happy Isles and meet legendary figures such as Achilles, or they could meet their end in the journey.
3. Identify the figures of speech employed in the following lines.
| a) Thro’ scudding drifts the rainy Hyades Vext the dim sea… | Personification |
| b) For always roaming with a hungry heart | Metaphor |
| c) And drunk delight of battle with my peers; | Metaphor |
| d) …..the deep Moans round with many voices. | Personification |
| e) To follow knowledge like a sinking star. | Simile |
| f) There lies the port the vessel puffs her sail | Personification |
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 administers unequal laws to his people, whom he describes as a “savage race.”
ii. Did he enjoy what he was doing? Give reasons.
Answer: No, Ulysses did not enjoy what he was doing. He views his people as primitive and unworthy, describing their behavior as hoarding, sleeping, and feeding without recognizing his greatness.
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 through which one glimpses an untraveled world.
ii. How do the lines convey that the experience is endless?
Answer: The lines convey that experience is endless by describing the untraveled world as having a margin that fades forever as one continues to move.
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: Every hour is important to Ulysses because it represents an opportunity to achieve something new and meaningful, thus preventing his life from falling into eternal silence and stagnation.
ii. What does the term ‘Little remains’ convey?
Answer: The term “Little remains” conveys that Ulysses feels he has little time left in his life.
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 son, Telemachus.
ii. Bring out the significance of the ‘sceptre’.
Answer: The ‘sceptre’ symbolizes authority and royal power. By passing it to Telemachus, Ulysses is transferring not only the physical symbol of kingship but also the responsibility and leadership of the kingdom, indicating his trust in Telemachus’s ability to govern.
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’ refer to the various challenges and joys encountered during the sailors’ adventures.
ii. What do we infer about the attitude of the sailors?
Answer: The sailors welcomed both the difficulties and the pleasures of their journey with a cheerful and spirited attitude, showing their resilience and enthusiasm.
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: The lines express Ulysses’ belief that despite the inevitability of death, there is still time to achieve something of great significance. His spirit remains undaunted, and he is determined to accomplish noble deeds until the very end.
ii. Pick out the words in alliteration in the above lines.
Answer: The alliterative words are: “noble note” and “strove with Gods.”
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’ purpose in life was to explore beyond the known boundaries, seeking new experiences and adventures until his death.
ii. How long would his venture last?
Answer: His venture would last until 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: Despite being weakened by age and circumstances, the hearts remain heroic because of their unwavering determination and willpower to continue striving, seeking, and pursuing their goals.
ii. Pick out the words in alliteration in the above lines.
Answer: The alliterative words are: “strong in will” and “strive, to seek.”
5. Explain with reference to the context the following lines.
a) I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees:
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: After returning to Ithaca, Ulysses expresses his dissatisfaction with a sedentary life and his desire for continuous adventure.
Explanation: Ulysses expresses his inability to remain idle and his desire to experience life to its fullest. The phrase “drink life to the lees” means to enjoy every last drop of life’s experiences without holding back.
b) I am become a name;
For always roaming with a hungry heart
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses reflects on how his relentless pursuit of adventure and knowledge has made him a renowned figure.
Explanation: Ulysses feels that his constant exploration and quest for knowledge have made him famous or notable. His hungry heart signifies his deep, insatiable desire for new experiences and adventure.
c) How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses laments the idea of stopping and ceasing to be active.
Explanation: Ulysses reflects on the boredom and dissatisfaction of halting one’s efforts and not actively engaging in life. He compares inactivity to rusting without ever being used, implying that he prefers continuous action and purpose.
d) To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses likens his quest for knowledge to chasing a sinking star.
Explanation: Ulysses compares his quest for knowledge to chasing a “sinking star,” suggesting that he is in pursuit of ever-expanding and elusive knowledge that lies beyond the limits of human understanding.
e) He works his work, I mine.
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses differentiates between his role and that of his son, Telemachus.
Explanation: Ulysses distinguishes between his own endeavors and those of his son, Telemachus. While Ulysses continues his adventurous pursuits, Telemachus handles the more practical and administrative duties of ruling the kingdom.
f) ….you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses acknowledges the reality of their old age but asserts that even in old age, there is honor and meaningful work to be done.
Explanation: Ulysses acknowledges their old age but asserts that it still holds dignity and challenges. Despite their age, they can stll contribute meaningfully and face difficulties with honour.
g) The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices.
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses describes the evening setting as day transitions into night.
Explanation: Ulysses describes the transition from day to night, with the day ending, the moon rising slowly, and the deep, mysterious sea making a mournful sound. This imagery sets a contemplative and somewhat melancholic mood.
h) It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses speculates about the potential rewards of his journey.
Explanation: Ulysses speculates that they might reach the “Happy Isles” (a reference to the Elysian Fields in Greek mythology) and encounter the great warrior Achilles. This reflects his hope for an afterlife where he and his companions can meet legendary figures.
i) We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven;
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses acknowledges that he and his mariners are no longer as physically strong as they once were.
Explanation: Ulysses acknowledges that they are no longer as strong and powerful as they once were. Their past strength was so great that it seemed to move the very earth and sky.
j) To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Reference: These lines are taken from Poem “Ulysses”, written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses emphasizes his determination to continue striving for new challenges, seeking out new experiences, and persisting without giving up.
Explanation: This line reveals Ulysses’ resolute determination. Despite their aging, he emphasizes the importance of continuing to strive, seek new challenges, and persist without giving up.
6. Answer the following questions in a paragraph in about 100 words each.
a) What makes Ulysses seek newer adventures?
Answer: Ulysses’ relentless quest for new adventures stems from his profound dissatisfaction with a static life. He finds the routine of kingship dull and unfulfilling. His past experiences and travels have instilled in him a deep yearning for exploration and discovery. Ulysses believes that merely existing is insufficient; he seeks to experience life to its fullest by pushing beyond known boundaries. His desire to pursue knowledge and adventure, even as he ages, reflects his belief that life should be an ongoing journey of exploration and achievement.
b) List the roles and responsibilities Ulysses assigns to his son Telemachus, while he is away.
Answer: Ulysses entrusts his son Telemachus with the governance of the kingdom. He assigns him the role of managing the island and ruling with prudence. Telemachus is expected to maintain the order and welfare of the kingdom, transforming the rugged people into a more civilized society through gradual, gentle means. Ulysses also expects Telemachus to uphold the values of justice and honour, ensuring that the kingdom continues to function smoothly in his absence. His responsibilities include managing the kingdom’s affairs and fulfilling his duties with integrity and dedication.
c) What is Ulysses’ clarion call to his sailors? How does he inspire them?
Ulysses’ clarion call to his sailors is a powerful invitation to embark on a final grand adventure. He inspires them by emphasizing the glory and honour of pursuing noble deeds even in old age. Ulysses speaks of their shared experiences and the challenges they have faced together, rallying them with a sense of purpose and camaraderie. He encourages them to set sail beyond the sunset and explore uncharted territories. He says that their heroic hearts, despite being weakened by time, still possess the strength to strive, seek, find, and not yield. His call is both an inspiration and a tribute to their enduring spirit.
Leave a Reply