Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses,” a dramatic monologue penned in 1833 and published in his 1842 collection, stands as a profound exploration of human ambition, the passage of time, and the insatiable quest for knowledge and experience. Written in the immediate aftermath of his dear friend Arthur Hallam’s sudden death, the poem serves as Tennyson’s personal response to grief, a declaration against succumbing to despair, and an embrace of continued action and purpose. Through the voice of the legendary Greek hero, Odysseus (Latinized as Ulysses), Alfred crafts a compelling portrait of a man who, having returned home after a long and arduous journey, finds himself restless and unfulfilled by domesticity, longing instead for the boundless horizons of the unknown.

The poem meticulously details Ulysses’s internal struggle, contrasting his glorious past of heroic exploits with the mundane realities of his present kingship. His passion for knowledge and experience is not merely a preference but an inherent, defining characteristic of his being, portrayed as an unquenchable thirst that drives him relentlessly forward. Tennyson employs vivid imagery, potent metaphors, and a compelling narrative voice to convey the depth and urgency of this desire, making Ulysses a timeless archetype of the explorer, the scholar, and the eternal striver. The poem delves into the philosophical underpinnings of this drive, suggesting that true life lies not in passive existence but in active pursuit, continuous learning, and boundless adventure.

The Weariness of Domesticity and the Lure of the Unknown

Tennyson immediately establishes Ulysses’s profound dissatisfaction with his current circumstances, setting the stage for his yearning for new experiences. The poem opens with a stark declaration of his ennui: “It little profits that an idle king, / By this still hearth, among these barren crags, / Match’d with an agèd wife, I mete and dole / Unequal laws unto a savage race, / That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.” This opening paints a picture of a man stifled by inactivity and unappreciated by his subjects. His home, Ithaca, once the coveted prize of his epic journey, has become a “barren” and “still” place, contrasting sharply with the dynamic, unpredictable world he once traversed. His people, described dismissively as a “savage race,” are concerned only with basic sustenance, utterly devoid of the intellectual curiosity or adventurous spirit that defines their king. This profound disconnect underscores Ulysses’s isolation and fuels his desire to escape the confines of his current life.

The past, in contrast, is depicted as a time of vibrant engagement and profound meaning. Ulysses declares, “I cannot rest from travel: I will drink / Life to the lees.” This powerful metaphor suggests a man determined to extract every possible drop of experience from existence, leaving nothing untasted or unexplored. He vividly recalls his past adventures: “All times I have enjoyed / Greatly, suffered greatly, both with those / That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when / Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades / Vex’d the dim sea: I am become a name.” His experiences, whether joyful or painful, have forged his identity, making him “a part of all that I have met.” This line is crucial, illustrating that his very being is interwoven with the sum of his travels and encounters. He is not merely a passive observer but an active participant, internalizing and integrating every moment, transforming knowledge into selfhood. The “untravell’d world” thus becomes an irresistible pull, a constant reminder of the infinite possibilities that still lie beyond his reach.

The Metaphor of the “Rusting Sword” and “Unburnished” Soul

Ulysses views inaction as a form of spiritual decay, a wasting away of his very essence. He laments, “How dull it is to pause, to make an end, / To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use! / As though to breathe were life!” Here, he employs the powerful metaphor of a “rusting sword” to describe the state of his soul if left idle. A sword’s purpose is to be wielded, to be “in use”; similarly, Ulysses believes that a human being’s purpose is to engage with the world, to strive, and to experience. To merely “breathe” without purpose is, for him, a hollow existence, devoid of true life. This reveals his conviction that life is not simply about biological function but about active engagement, growth, and the continual acquisition of knowledge and experience.

His “spirit yearning in desire / To follow knowledge like a sinking star, / Beyond the utmost bound of human thought” encapsulates the boundless nature of his quest. The simile of the “sinking star” evokes an image of an elusive, perpetually receding horizon, suggesting that true knowledge is an endless pursuit, an ever-expanding frontier that can never be fully grasped. For Ulysses, the more he learns, the more he realizes the vastness of what remains unknown, thereby fueling his desire further. This insatiable intellectual curiosity is not about achieving a finite goal but about the process of striving itself. Every new piece of information, every new experience, merely opens up more questions, more possibilities, and more distant intellectual “worlds” to explore. He sees himself as fundamentally changed by his journey, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually, having absorbed the essence of every place and person encountered.

Knowledge as a Journey, Not a Destination

For Ulysses, knowledge is not a static accumulation of facts but a dynamic process, an ongoing journey without a definitive end. He explicitly states his ambition: “And this grey spirit yearning in desire / To follow knowledge like a sinking star, / Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.” This iconic line is central to understanding his philosophy. It portrays knowledge not as something quantifiable or achievable within a lifetime, but as an infinite, ever-receding horizon. The “sinking star” metaphor suggests that the deeper he delves into understanding, the more new questions and mysteries arise, pushing the “bound of human thought” ever further. His quest is thus not about reaching a destination, but about the perpetual act of pursuit itself.

This continuous yearning is reinforced by his past experiences, which have only sharpened his appetite. He recalls how each discovery, each adventure, merely whetted his appetite for more: “Much have I seen and known; cities of men / And manners, climates, councils, governments, / Myself not least, but honour’d of them all.” His extensive travels have provided him with a vast repository of experiences and knowledge, yet instead of satisfying him, they have only intensified his longing for further exploration. This perpetual state of becoming, rather than being, is fundamental to his character. He believes that to cease learning and experiencing is to cease truly living. This is a profound statement on the nature of intellectual curiosity – that the acquisition of knowledge inherently reveals the vastness of the unknown, compelling the curious mind to continue its exploration indefinitely.

The Inevitability of the Quest and the Call of the Sea

The sea, a recurring motif throughout the poem, serves as a powerful symbol of the unknown, adventure, and the ultimate frontier that beckons Ulysses. It is not merely a means of travel but a destination in itself, embodying the boundless opportunities for discovery that lie beyond the familiar. His connection to his mariners, his “fellow-sailors, you, my men, / That ever with a frolic welcome took / The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed / Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old,” signifies a bond forged through shared experiences and a mutual thirst for adventure. They are kindred spirits, unafraid of the elements or the challenges of the open sea, ready to face whatever comes their way. This camaraderie reinforces the idea that the quest for knowledge and experience is a collective endeavor, often best pursued with like-minded individuals.

The call of the sea is presented as an almost irresistible, elemental force. He speaks of the “vessels” which “gleam” in the distance and the “deep / Moans round with many voices.” These “voices” represent the perpetual allure of the unknown, a siren call to venture forth. The sense of unfinished business is palpable as he muses, “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep / Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, / ’Tis not too late to seek a newer world.” Despite their age, he believes there is still time for “some work of noble note.” This conviction highlights his boundless optimism and his belief that human potential, particularly for discovery and achievement, is not diminished by time but perhaps even sharpened by the urgency of a dwindling lifespan. The sea embodies the boundless future, the promise of new “worlds” to encounter, whether geographical, intellectual, or spiritual.

The Pursuit of “New Worlds” and “Another Goal”

Ulysses’s vision extends far beyond mere physical exploration; it encompasses a philosophical and perhaps even mythical quest for transcendence. He imagines sailing “beyond the sunset, and the baths / Of all the western stars, until I die.” This evokes a journey to the very edge of the known world and beyond, into realms traditionally associated with the afterlife or mythical lands. His ambition is to reach the “Happy Isles,” the mythological paradise where heroes reside, and perhaps even to “see the great Achilles, whom we knew.” This desire to meet legendary figures of the past suggests a yearning for a deeper understanding of heroism, destiny, and the ultimate meaning of life and death. It’s not just about what lies physically ahead but what lies metaphysically beyond.

The pursuit of “another goal” implies a striving for continuous self-improvement and a desire to leave an enduring legacy. “For my purpose holds / To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths / Of all the western stars, until I die.” This is a quest for ultimate meaning, driven by an insatiable curiosity about the universe and humanity’s place within it. His passion for knowledge is intertwined with a desire to push the boundaries of human capacity and perception. It is about understanding the world in its entirety, not just its superficial aspects. By seeking “new worlds,” he seeks new understandings, new challenges, and new avenues for the expansion of his own being. This boundless ambition elevates Ulysses from a mere adventurer to a symbol of humanity’s eternal drive for exploration, both external and internal.

The Role of Age and Mortality in Fueling the Passion

Ironically, Ulysses’s advancing age and the looming specter of mortality do not deter his passion but intensify it. He acknowledges his physical decline: “My mariners, / Souls that have toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me— / That ever with a frolic welcome took / The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed / Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old; / Old age hath yet his honour and his toil; / Death closes all: but something ere the end, / Some work of noble note, may yet be done.” This recognition of limited time acts as a powerful catalyst, imbuing his quest with a sense of urgency. The “long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep / Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, / ’Tis not too late to seek a newer world.” signaling the approach of night and, metaphorically, the end of life.

However, instead of resignation, this awareness sparks a renewed determination. The phrase “Though much is taken, much abides” reflects a spirit of resilience; while physical strength may diminish, the will and intellectual vigor remain. The idea that “Death closes all: but something ere the end, / Some work of noble note, may yet be done” encapsulates his defiance against finality. He refuses to allow mortality to dictate idleness, instead choosing to channel the remaining time into meaningful pursuit. This makes his passion for knowledge and experience even more poignant: it is not a youthful exuberance but a profound, seasoned understanding that life’s true value lies in perpetual engagement and contribution, right up to the very last moment. The urgency imparted by his age transforms his desire into an imperative, a final grand gesture against the inevitable.

The Spirit of Endurance and the “To Strive, To Seek, To Find, And Not To Yield” Motto

The climactic lines of the poem deliver Ulysses’s ultimate credo, a powerful summary of his passion and an enduring statement on the human spirit: “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.” These lines encapsulate the essence of his character and his philosophy. He acknowledges the physical limitations imposed by age (“Made weak by time and fate”) but emphasizes the enduring power of the will (“but strong in will”). This highlights that his passion is not merely a fleeting desire but a fundamental aspect of his being, a resolute inner strength that transcends physical衰退 (physical decline).

The famous quartet of infinitives—“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield”—serves as a mantra for continuous effort, intellectual exploration, discovery, and unwavering perseverance. It embodies a holistic approach to life where knowledge and experience are not passively received but actively pursued through relentless effort. “To strive” suggests continuous exertion and effort, “to seek” implies an active pursuit of what is unknown, “to find” speaks to the ultimate goal of discovery and understanding, and “not to yield” signifies an indomitable spirit that refuses to surrender to obstacles, age, or fate. This powerful conclusion transforms Ulysses into an embodiment of the indefatigable human spirit, perpetually driven to push boundaries, to learn, to grow, and to embrace the unknown, regardless of the challenges. His passion for knowledge and experience is thus revealed as an unshakeable commitment to a life lived fully, actively, and purposefully until the very end.

Tennyson’s “Ulysses” masterfully portrays its protagonist not merely as an adventurer, but as an embodiment of the human spirit’s ceaseless quest for intellectual and experiential expansion. Ulysses’s passion for knowledge and experience is meticulously depicted as an unquenchable thirst, born from a profound dissatisfaction with stagnation and a deep understanding that life’s true essence lies in continuous pursuit rather than passive existence. This drive is fueled by a nostalgic reverence for past glories, an acute awareness of his own mortality, and an almost spiritual connection to the boundless unknown that lies beyond the horizon. His disdain for the mundane and his resolute embrace of a life lived “to the lees” solidify his status as an eternal seeker.

The poem’s enduring power lies in its universal appeal, transcending the specific narrative of Ulysses to become an archetypal representation of humanity’s intrinsic desire to transcend limits and perpetually grow. Tennyson’s detailed depiction, rich in metaphor and philosophical depth, illustrates that Ulysses’s journey is not merely geographical but intellectual and spiritual, an ongoing quest for deeper understanding and meaning. His defiant refusal to yield to age or convention, encapsulated in his iconic concluding lines, resonates as a powerful testament to the indomitable nature of the human will to explore, to learn, and to strive against the inevitable closure of death.

Ultimately, Ulysses stands as a timeless symbol of the Victorian era’s burgeoning spirit of exploration, scientific advancement, and intellectual curiosity, yet also as a deeply personal articulation of Tennyson’s own imperative to move forward in the face of grief. His passion for knowledge and experience is a testament to the idea that life’s purpose is found in the journey itself, in the continuous act of becoming rather than simply being, forever pushing the boundaries of what is known and what is possible.