ULYSSES: ENGLISH POETRY
STRUCTURE AND RHYTHM
- 70 lines
- 3 stanzas
- Blank verse (doesn’t rhyme)
- Written in iambic pentameter, giving it rhythm
- Some lines have a reversed first foot to throw emphasis onto the first word of the
next time or to vary the rhythm
The poem makes extensive use of contradictions
- Mimics rhythm human speech, when we speak, we sometimes leave out parts
of words (contractions)
- The poem contains many contractions, indicating that it’s meant to be spoken
Few end punctuation marks ( ! or . )
- There are many dashes, commas, and semi-colons
- enjambement
- Creates a rambling rhythm of speech
STANZA BREAKDOWN
1 Ulysses reflects nostalgically on life as an adventurer and describes his current life to be
boring and unsatisfactory. He is a natural adventurer, he is born to live a life of extremes.
Reflects philosophically on a never-ending search for knowledge
- Compares life experiences to an arch, through which your vision is only clear
momentarily, and as soon as the moment passes, [20] the “margin fades”
2 He justifies his intention to abandon his people by saying his son, Telemachus, will be a good
king to replace him.
- Due to the intensity of the first stanza, the compliments he describes his son with
seem insincere
- [36] slow prudence
- [39] blameless
- [40] decent
- [43] he works his work, I mine
3 Discusses and delves into the purpose of the monologue, pointing out the port and ship,
inviting his crew to join him.
He counters any potential objections that they are too old to be adventurers again, that they
can still do something meaningful with their remaining time.
STRUCTURE AND RHYTHM
- 70 lines
- 3 stanzas
- Blank verse (doesn’t rhyme)
- Written in iambic pentameter, giving it rhythm
- Some lines have a reversed first foot to throw emphasis onto the first word of the
next time or to vary the rhythm
The poem makes extensive use of contradictions
- Mimics rhythm human speech, when we speak, we sometimes leave out parts
of words (contractions)
- The poem contains many contractions, indicating that it’s meant to be spoken
Few end punctuation marks ( ! or . )
- There are many dashes, commas, and semi-colons
- enjambement
- Creates a rambling rhythm of speech
STANZA BREAKDOWN
1 Ulysses reflects nostalgically on life as an adventurer and describes his current life to be
boring and unsatisfactory. He is a natural adventurer, he is born to live a life of extremes.
Reflects philosophically on a never-ending search for knowledge
- Compares life experiences to an arch, through which your vision is only clear
momentarily, and as soon as the moment passes, [20] the “margin fades”
2 He justifies his intention to abandon his people by saying his son, Telemachus, will be a good
king to replace him.
- Due to the intensity of the first stanza, the compliments he describes his son with
seem insincere
- [36] slow prudence
- [39] blameless
- [40] decent
- [43] he works his work, I mine
3 Discusses and delves into the purpose of the monologue, pointing out the port and ship,
inviting his crew to join him.
He counters any potential objections that they are too old to be adventurers again, that they
can still do something meaningful with their remaining time.
