Ulysses the Quester

We are introduced to Ulysses as a king in the very first line. The way the poem starts gives an instant impression of the stature and individuality of the man. He doesn’t dwell on the position of king for even a second, instead sweeping straight on to the next line, almost as if it is meaningless in the scheme of his life.

When he is talking in the poem, Ulysses is already an old man. He has, since youth, gone on missions of extraordinary bravery, for years at a time. Travel and discovery is all he has known, and all he wants to know. As he recounts in the poem, he has learned and suffered greatly, both with others and alone. He has seen a great deal of things and become a part of it all. Through the many, many years, Ulysses has forged a distinct name for himself, by “always roaming with a hungry heart”.

Ulysses has defined himself as an individual within

One thing that lead to Ulysses’ inconceivable greatness was his strong sense of identity. He seems to know exactly who he is, and what he is here for. He is a born quester. He loves the excitement of travel and discovery, the intensity of sprit and feeling. He strives for the constant adventure, stimulus of new cultures, the knowledge and the thrill, as if that’s what makes him. He says he is part of all he meets, and it seems it is apart of him, almost as if every experience makes him want more. Ulysses’ knows what God made him to do, and he will strive to do it until he can no more.

Overall, “Ulysses” is an inspiring poem about a truly great man, a man who expanded the frontiers of societies knowledge for his entire life, and never relented. It is thoughtfully, cleverly, and very effectively written, and makes you appreciate the individuality and greatness of Ulysses, the uniqueness of his incredible life, and his ability “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

Imagery is also used very effectively in parts of the poem. This creates a dramatic situation, an actual place. A good example of this is the lines “ there lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail; there gloom the dark, broad seas.” The re

Some topics in this essay:
, Ulysses’ God, speaking voice, individual society, defined individual society, travel discovery, defined individual, born quester, poem ulysses,