Ulysses as a Victorian Role Model
Ulysses is a classical hero who reappears in the literary work of great poets such as Homer and Tennyson. During the Victorian era, Alfred Lord Tennyson was one of the most famous poets in England, he even held Britain’s prestigious position of Poet Laureate. Tennyson began writing during a period in which duty and conformity were traits that distinguished the middle class from the lower class. In a two-volume collection of “Poems,” Tennyson writes “Ulysses” after the death of a close friend, Arthur Henry Hallam. Hallam inspired the character Ulysses, while the loss of the special friendship influenced the tone of the piece. The Ancient Greek hero describes his loathing of regal position and desire to
…show more content…
Ulysses desires to begin a new journey, a journey for the knowledge of things that he has not before seen, heard, nor dreamed. The last stanza of the poem is Ulysses attempt to strengthen his crew’s spirit. Ulysses admits that they all are growing old, but he says there is still honor and work to be done at an old age. He and his crew have become a unified spirit of courage. That spirit may have been made weak by time and fate, but they have held to their resolve to accomplish whatever they strive for. The most important thing to Ulysses is for his crew to never give up, never loose their desire “to strive, to seek, to find” (Tennyson 70). With help from the form and language of the poem, Tennyson is able to directly express Ulysses inconsistent mood brought upon by his return home. “Ulysses” was written as a dramatic monologue in iambic pentameter, which adds a elegant and unconstrained flow to Ulysses speech. The lines are in blank verse, probably used since the basic story is derived from epics, allowing Ulysses’ speech to sound more smooth and natural. His thoughts do not end with each full line. Rather, the sentences often end in the middle, appropriate for this poem about pushing forward “beyond the utmost bound of human thought” (Tennyson 32). The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own theme. The first is about his hunger and thirst for life, the second about the love for his son,
The first part of my analysis will examine about Odysseus and Ulysses Everett’s quest. Though their purpose for their quest is different, this highlights the fact that their quest is the same, which is to go back to their home. Further evidence for Odysseus to go back to Ithaca is that he has his wife waiting for him back in Ithaca while Everett has to preclude his wife from getting remarried. Considered from another perspective, Odysseus and Everett are both confident. This conclusion is developed in response to the way they acted. Odysseus is overly confident that he meddles with all the events he faces. But at the same time, Everett is also excessively that
The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson "The charge of the light brigade" by Tennyson was written about a
The answer to that question is family. Both men have great senses of family; Ulysses has a wife whom he loves and six daughters that he fights to keep custody of over the
Often through great literature, there is an epic hero. In the Odyssey, Homer tells the journey of one man’s journey home from the Trojan War. The protagonist of the epic poem Odysseus is often regarded as a great hero. However, Odysseus is not quite the glorious soldier that people often see him as. Odysseus shows that he is an antihero through his pride, disloyalty, and bloodthirstiness.
Throughout history, poets, authors, and directors have created characters labeled as “heroes”. These figures can be brave and kind; they can be strong and intelligent, but regardless of the attributes these “heroes” possess, they reflect those valued and admired by the people of that time and culture. Homer, the author of book nine of The Odyssey, “In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave,” used the character Odysseus to appear heroic by showcasing the traits readers would find most desirable in a person. Homer showed such characteristics in Odysseus when he wrote him to be brave when confronted with danger, intelligent in problem-solving, and extremely loyal to his homeland.
He tells them, “you and I are old.” These are the clues which lead us to believe that other mariners are present but they do not speak. Telemachus' presence is also felt. Tennyson here follows the tradition of allowing one person to speak and keeping others silent. In “My Last Duchess” we see the same thing. As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that only a single person speaks. The speaker is the Duke of Ferrara who is talking about his dead Duchess' portrait painted by Fra Pandolf. At several points of the poem it becomes evident that there is a listener who remains silent. For example, when the duke says “Will't please you sit and look at her?” or “Will't you please rise?” we understand that someone is present around him. Later in the poem, we come to know that he is an emissary for the second marriage of the Duke. Throughout the poem he does not talk. But his reactions are revealed through the Duke's speech. For example, the clue to understand the surprise in the emissary's face has been revealed by the Duke himself : “so not the first/ Are you to turn and ask thus.” We know he does not ask anything but there has been a question in his countenance. Tennyson reveals his heart's desire in “Ulysses”. This is another aspect of dramatic monologue. He says he does not enjoy peaceful life at home, and so, he wants to set out for new adventures. His inner thoughts have been revealed. However, the revelation is very simple and plain. The speaker here is
Most people think of a hero as a strong, superior, good-looking person that could never make a mistake. However, in a story called The Odyssey, a connection to real life reveals imperfections to be common in heroes. Each person has their low points and highlights, regardless of their “rank”. The author and epic poet, Homer, exemplifies our main character, Odysseus, to take on this idea of a hero throughout his writing. The time period took place in Ancient Greece, allowing Greek culture to relate to the poem. Different aspects of such culture and history may have influenced the works and creativity of Homer as well. A major point includes The Trojan War because it focuses in on Odysseus’ journey to bring Helen back home by devising a plan to destroy warriors in the city. Acknowledge this factor when reading The Odyssey, for not only evidence of heroism, but also other major points of archetypes, in which the device reflects the insights of readers in modern time and what is seen from Ancient Greek culture.
Often through great literature, there is an epic hero. In the Odyssey, Homer tells the journey of one man’s journey home from the Trojan War. The protagonist of the epic poem Odysseus is often regarded as a great hero. However, Odysseus is not quite the glorious soldier that people often see him as. Odysseus disproves his title of a hero through his pride, his disloyalty, and his bloodthirstiness.
The main character of the story is Ulysses he is king of Ithaca he has a wife named Penelope and a son named Telemachus.Ulysses is known for his homecoming which took him 20 years to get home.Today I am gonna be writing about the theme of the Odyssey.The theme is loyal, I will be providing examples why the theme is loyal in the following paragraphs.
They are arrogant, yet sometimes uncertain, they are cunning, but still find themselves weak at times. This is very evident throughout the whole story, where both characters are very independent of others, especially when it comes to the help of the god(s). Odysseus’ audacity towards the gods causes quite a delay in his journey home, in particular because of his hostility towards Poseidon. On the other hand, Ulysses himself is not a very religious man. He cannot be lured into foolish tricks along with his friends. However, when push comes to shove, both characters realise where they stand and what needs to be done. They need to swallow their pride and put their egos behind them, and finally acknowledge the fact that they will need to seek help from the higher powers in order to reach their goal of arriving home sooner rather than later.
Whenever people hear the word “hero”, they portray in their minds a perfect person, who always choose the correct decisions, and saves many people; but not all heroes demonstrate a flawless life and deserve the title hero. In the great epic poem by Homer, Odyssey, Odysseus embodies the classic hero quality Greek culture respects—bravery and intelligence. Many readers admire Odyssey’s heroic qualities, ignoring the fact Odyssey also had weaknesses. While the readers could focus on the triumphs and accomplishments of Odysseus, Odysseus has done wrongs. Despite those great hero traits Odysseus embodies, he demonstrates great weaknesses humans have in common—pride, irresponsibility toward his crews, and revengeful heart, these flaws ultimately brought demise and trouble to his men and himself, which constantly reminds the audience that Homer represents Odysseus as another human, rather than a hero.
After a time of prosperity, the roaring 1920’s became a decade of social decay and declining moral values. The forces this erosion of ethics can be explained by a variety of theories. However, F. Scott Fitzgerald paints a convincing portrait of waning social virtue in his novel, The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald portrays the nefarious effects of materialism created by the wealth-driven culture of the time. This was an era where societal values made wealth and material possessions a defining element of one’s character. The implications of the wealthy mindset and its effects on humanity are at the source of the conflict in The Great Gatsby, offering a glimpse into the despair of the 20’s. During a time
Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows Odysseus on his long journey home. The Epic also includes the stories of Odysseus’ family left behind: the travels of his son, Telemachus, and how plenty, of what we would now call “home wreckers”, suitors pressured his wife, Penelope, into marrying one of them. The characters are beautifully crafted and the story is truly epic. All the elements presented can bring in any reader from any century, the Cyclops, the Gods, the trickery of Penelope, and the disguises of Odysseus, are all legendary literary hooks . There are many things to learn—about writing, about the world around us, the world ahead of us, and the past behind us—from The Odyssey. (26) It is undeniably evident that this ancient text has
A comparison of the ways in which Fitzgerald and Bronte present their heroes. (2742 words)
Both Homer and Tennyson portray their hero 's needing a second journey after their completion of the journey. Ulysses has not completed his understood journey the thirst for knowledge while Odysseus has, and Ulysses has now fallen into a state of indifference as a result of his desire for a second journey.