Ulysses MCQs
1. In which year was the poem Ulysses originally written?
A) 1842
B) 1850
C) 1833
D) 1830
Answer: C) 1833
Explanation: The year 1833 is historically significant in Tennyson’s life because it marks the writing of Ulysses. This poem was an immediate, emotional outpouring written in late 1833 shortly after Tennyson received the devastating news of the death of his best friend, Arthur Henry Hallam. Although the poem would not be shared with the public for nearly another decade, it was composed during a year of personal tragedy and anchors the poem in Tennyson’s “Ten Years’ Silence,” a period when he wrote privately but refused to publish due to grief and criticism of his earlier work.
2. How old was Alfred, Lord Tennyson when he wrote Ulysses?
A) 24 years old
B) 30 years old
C) 45 years old
D) 19 years old
Answer: A) 24 years old
Explanation: It often surprises readers to learn that Tennyson was only 24 years old when he wrote this poem. The speaker, Ulysses, is an old man facing death, yet the author was a young man in his twenties. Tennyson projected his own youthful determination and battle against depression into the voice of the aged Greek hero, showing immense maturity that a 24-year-old could capture the complex feelings of an elderly king.
3. Which tragic event immediately inspired Tennyson to write this poem?
A) The loss of his family fortune
B) The sudden death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam
C) The outbreak of the Crimean War
D) Harsh criticism from literary magazines
Answer: B) The sudden death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam
Explanation: The death of Arthur Henry Hallam is the single most important context for this poem. Hallam was not just a friend; he was Tennyson’s intellectual soulmate and was engaged to Tennyson’s sister. He died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage in Vienna at the age of 22. Tennyson was absolutely devastated. He later explained that Ulysses was written to express his “need of going forward and braving the struggle of life.” While the poem looks like it is about a mythological hero, it is actually a personal message from Tennyson to himself, convincing himself that he must keep living and working despite the overwhelming pain of losing Hallam.
4. In which collection was Ulysses first published?
A) Lyrical Ballads
B) Idylls of the King
C) In Memoriam
D) Poems
Answer: D) Poems
Explanation: Ulysses was finally published in a collection simply titled “Poems” (often referred to by scholars as the “1842 Poems”). This two-volume collection was a major turning point in Tennyson’s career. Before this, he had been mocked by critics for his earlier, more romantic style. The 1842 collection included revised versions of his old work in the first volume and powerful new poems, including Ulysses, in the second volume. This collection proved his critics wrong and established him as the leading poet of his generation. It is distinct from his other famous collections like In Memoriam or Idylls of the King.
5. The period between the writing (1833) and publication (1842) of Ulysses is known as:
A) The Ten Years’ Silence
B) The Lost Decade
C) The Victorian Pause
D) The Silent Spring
Answer: A) The Ten Years’ Silence
Explanation: The “Ten Years’ Silence” refers to the long gap between Tennyson’s publications from 1832 to 1842. After his 1832 book received brutal reviews, he stopped publishing entirely. However, he continued to write during this decade, grieving for Hallam, studying, and refining his craft in secret. This period was essential for his growth: he transformed from a promising but flawed writer into the master poet of the Victorian age.
6. In which year was Ulysses published for the general public?
A) 1833
B) 1842
C) 1855
D) 1832
Answer: B) 1842
Explanation: The poem “Ulysses” was first published for the general public on May 14, 1842, as part of Tennyson’s two-volume collection titled Poems.
While it was completed in 1833, Tennyson waited nine years to release it due to his sensitivity to the harsh critical reviews of his 1830 and 1832 collections.
The “Ten Years’ Silence”: This publication marked the end of a decade-long period during which Tennyson published almost nothing, focusing instead on refining his craft after the death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam.
Immediate Success: The collection was published by Edward Moxon in London with an initial run of 800 copies; it was an immediate success and solidified his status as the premier poet of the Victorian era.
Trial Printing: A very small “trial book” titled Morte d’Arthur, and Other Idyls was printed in early 1842 for private review, but it was not intended for the general public.
7. According to Tennyson, writing Ulysses helped him to:
A) Win a poetry competition
B) Earn money for his family
C) Criticize the government
D) Cope with grief and move forward in life
Answer: D) Cope with grief and move forward in life
Explanation: Tennyson explicitly stated that this poem was written “under the sense of loss and that all had gone by, but that still life must be fought out to the end.” This means the poem served a therapeutic purpose for him. He used the character of Ulysses to argue against his own desire to give up. Part of him wanted to surrender to grief (a feeling explored in his other poem, “The Lotos-Eaters”), but the “Ulysses” part of him insisted on moving forward. It wasn’t written for money, fame, or politics; it was a personal survival mechanism to convince himself that even though “much is taken,” “much abides.”
8. On which exact date did Tennyson completed writing Ulysses?
A) October 20, 1833
B) September 15, 1833
C) January 1, 1842
D) December 10, 1833
Answer: A) October 20, 1833
Explanation:
Timeline of the Poem’s Creation
September 15, 1833: Arthur Henry Hallam, Tennyson’s closest friend, passed away suddenly in Vienna.
October 1, 1833: Tennyson received the news of Hallam’s death.
October 20, 1833: Tennyson completed the manuscript for “Ulysses”.
1842: The poem was finally published for the general public.
9. In which English county was Alfred, Lord Tennyson born?
A) Yorkshire
B) Lincolnshire
C) Kent
D) Sussex
Answer: B) Lincolnshire
Explanation: Alfred, Lord Tennyson was born in Somersby, Lincolnshire. This rural setting is important because the landscape of Lincolnshire—with its rolling wolds, flat fens, and open skies—heavily influenced his imagery. Although Ulysses is set in Greece and the Mediterranean, Tennyson’s descriptions of nature often reflect the moody, atmospheric weather of the English countryside he grew up in. His father was the rector (priest) of the church in Somersby. Growing up in a large, somewhat chaotic family in this isolated county shaped his personality, making him solitary and introspective, traits we clearly see in the character of Ulysses.
10. Which prestigious award did Tennyson win at Cambridge for his poem Timbuctoo?
A) The Pulitzer Prize
B) The Booker Prize
C) The Chancellor’s Gold Medal
D) The Nobel Prize
Answer: C) The Chancellor’s Gold Medal
Explanation: The Chancellor’s Gold Medal was a prestigious poetry prize awarded at Cambridge University. Tennyson won it in 1829 for a poem called Timbuctoo. Winning this medal was a significant milestone; it was the first major sign that he was destined for literary greatness. It gave him confidence and introduced him to the “Apostles,” the intellectual secret society where he met Arthur Hallam. While Timbuctoo is not as famous today as Ulysses, winning that medal was the spark that started his serious literary career and validated his talent before the critics turned against him.
11. Which Romantic poet deeply influenced Tennyson in his youth?
A) Lord Byron
B) John Keats
C) William Blake
D) Percy Bysshe Shelley
Answer: A) Lord Byron
Explanation: Lord Byron was the superstar of the literary world when Tennyson was a young boy, and his influence on the young poet was profound. Byron represented the ideal of the rebellious, passionate, and brooding artist. When Byron died in Greece in 1824, Tennyson was only 14 years old, and he was absolutely heartbroken. The story goes that upon hearing the news, Tennyson ran out into the woods near his home and carved the words “Byron is dead” into a sandstone rock. He felt that with Byron’s death, “the whole world was darkened.” Early in his career, Tennyson tried to mimic Byron’s style of dramatic melancholy before finding his own unique voice. This early obsession with Byron shows Tennyson’s roots in the Romantic tradition, even though he later evolved into the quintessential Victorian poet.
12. Tennyson’s first poetry collection (1827) was published in collaboration with whom?
A) His sister Emily
B) His friend Arthur Hallam
C) His brother Charles
D) His university professor
Answer: C) His brother Charles
Explanation: Tennyson’s literary career officially began with a collection titled Poems by Two Brothers, published in 1827. He wrote this in collaboration with his older brother, Charles Tennyson. Interestingly, a third brother, Frederick, also contributed a few poems, but he wasn’t credited in the title. The brothers were very close and shared a love for writing, largely to escape the difficult atmosphere of their home, which was dominated by their father’s alcoholism and mental instability. While this collection didn’t make them famous, it was a crucial starting point. It showed that writing was not just a solitary hobby for Alfred, but a serious pursuit supported by his siblings. Charles was a talented poet in his own right, though Alfred eventually overshadowed him completely.
13. Which secret intellectual society did Tennyson join at Trinity College, Cambridge?
A) The Inklings
B) The Cambridge Apostles
C) The Bloomsbury Group
D) The Fabian Society
Answer: B) The Cambridge Apostles
Explanation: The Cambridge Apostles was (and still is) an exclusive, secret debating society at Cambridge University. Being invited to join was a huge honor and a sign of great intellectual promise. Tennyson joined this group in 1829. This society is incredibly important to literary history because it is where Tennyson met Arthur Henry Hallam. The Apostles didn’t just discuss poetry; they debated politics, religion, philosophy, and ethics. The intense friendships and intellectual rigor of the Apostles shaped Tennyson’s mind. The support of this group gave him the confidence to pursue poetry seriously. They championed his work when critics were harsh. Without the environment of the Apostles, Tennyson might not have developed the philosophical depth we see in poems like Ulysses and In Memoriam.
14. In which city did Tennyson’s close friend Arthur Henry Hallam die in 1833?
A) Paris
B) Rome
C) London
D) Vienna
Answer: D) Vienna
Explanation: The city of Vienna, Austria, is the site of the greatest tragedy in Tennyson’s life. In 1833, his best friend Arthur Hallam was traveling through Europe with his father. While stopping in Vienna, Arthur felt slightly unwell. His father went out for a walk, and when he returned, he found Arthur dead on the sofa. He had died instantly from a cerebral hemorrhage (a stroke) at the young age of 22. The suddenness of the event in a foreign city added to the shock. Tennyson was back in England and received the news by letter weeks later. The idea of his friend dying alone in a distant city haunted Tennyson for years. The long journey of bringing Hallam’s body back from Vienna to England by ship became a central image in his long elegy, In Memoriam.
15. What phrase did the Tennyson family use to describe hereditary mental illness and depression?
A) The Black Blood
B) The Dark Curse
C) The Gray Mist
D) The Heavy Soul
Answer: A) The Black Blood
Explanation: “The Black Blood” was a grim phrase used by the Tennyson family to describe the hereditary strain of mental illness, depression, and epilepsy that ran in their bloodline. Tennyson’s father suffered from severe depression, alcoholism, and violent mood swings, and several of Tennyson’s brothers had mental health issues (one was institutionalized, another was an opium addict). Alfred lived in constant fear that the “Black Blood” would eventually claim him too. This fear of madness and melancholia is a major theme in his poetry (seen in works like Maud). Writing became his way of fighting against this darkness. Understanding the “Black Blood” helps us understand why his poems are often so moody and why he emphasized order and resilience—he was trying to keep his own mind stable.
16. In 1850, along with marriage and publishing In Memoriam, what major honor did Tennyson receive?
A) He was knighted
B) He became the Poet Laureate
C) He moved to the Isle of Wight
D) He traveled to America
Answer: B) He became the Poet Laureate
Explanation: The year 1850 is often called Tennyson’s Annus Mirabilis (Year of Wonders) because his life completely changed. After the death of William Wordsworth in 1850, the position of Poet Laureate became vacant. Due to the massive success of In Memoriam, which was published that same year, Queen Victoria offered the post to Tennyson. Becoming Poet Laureate meant he was the official poet of the nation, expected to write poems for state occasions (like royal weddings or military victories). This ended his financial struggles and cemented his status as the voice of Victorian England. In this same incredible year, he finally married Emily Sellwood after a 13-year engagement, proving that his “Ten Years’ Silence” and struggle had finally paid off.
17. Which British monarch felt a deep personal connection to In Memoriam?
A) King George IV
B) Queen Anne
C) Queen Elizabeth I
D) Queen Victoria
Answer: D) Queen Victoria
Explanation: Queen Victoria found immense comfort in Tennyson’s poetry, specifically his long elegy In Memoriam A.H.H.. After her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, Victoria went into a deep, lifelong mourning. She told Tennyson that next to the Bible, In Memoriam was the only book that brought her solace. The poem depicts the journey from overwhelming grief to a place of acceptance and faith, which resonated deeply with the widowed Queen. She famously told Tennyson, “Your poems have been a comfort to me.” This royal approval made Tennyson a celebrity and a national icon. It created a unique bond between the monarch and the poet, as they both shared a defining experience of loss and grief.
18. Tennyson is mainly associated with which literary period?
A) The Victorian Era
B) The Romantic Era
C) The Restoration
D) The Modernist Era
Answer: A) The Victorian Era
Explanation: Alfred, Lord Tennyson is the quintessential poet of the Victorian Era. This era corresponds with the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901). While he was influenced by the Romantics (like Keats and Byron) in his youth, his mature work defines the Victorian style. His poetry deals with the specific concerns of that time: the conflict between religion and science (evolution), the changing role of women, the expansion of the British Empire, and the strict moral codes of society. He captured the mood of his age—a mix of optimism about progress and deep anxiety about the loss of tradition. Just as Shakespeare represents the Elizabethan age, Tennyson represents the Victorian age; he was the voice of his generation.
19. What title was Tennyson given when he was raised to the Peerage for his writing?
A) Baron Tennyson
B) Duke of Somersby
C) Earl of Cambridge
D) Knight of the Realm
Answer: A) Baron Tennyson
Explanation: In 1884, Queen Victoria offered Tennyson a peerage, making him Baron Tennyson of Aldworth and Freshwater. This was a historic moment because he was the first English writer to be raised to the nobility specifically for his contributions to literature. Before this, titles were usually given for military or political service. Tennyson was actually reluctant to accept the title because he was a shy man who disliked public attention, but he eventually accepted it for the sake of his son’s future. This title gave him a seat in the House of Lords. It serves as proof of how incredibly respected poetry was in the 19th century—a poet could become a Lord just by writing great verses.
20. Which poem did Tennyson request to be printed at the end of all future collections of his work?
A) Ulysses
B) The Lady of Shalott
C) Crossing the Bar
D) Tears, Idle Tears
Answer: C) Crossing the BarExplanation: Tennyson wrote “Crossing the Bar” in 1889, just three years before his death, while crossing the Solent (the strait separating the Isle of Wight from mainland England). It is a short, beautiful poem in which he compares dying to a ship sailing out of the harbor into the open sea. He instructed his son and his publishers that this poem must always be placed at the very end of every edition of his poems. He wanted it to be his final goodbye to the world. To this day, almost every complete collection of Tennyson’s work honors this request. It serves as a perfect bookend to his career, replacing the fear of death seen in his earlier works with a calm, peaceful acceptance of “crossing over” to meet his “Pilot” (God).
21. In which part of Westminster Abbey is Tennyson buried?
A) The Royal Vaults
B) The Nave
C) Poets’ Corner
D) The Cloisters
Answer: C) Poets’ Corner
Explanation: Alfred, Lord Tennyson is buried in the most sacred spot for English literature: the Poets’ Corner in the South Transept of Westminster Abbey in London. Being buried here is the highest honor a writer in the UK can receive. He lies next to his favorite poet, Robert Browning, and near the father of English poetry, Geoffrey Chaucer. His funeral in 1892 was a massive national event, attended by thousands of mourners, dignitaries, and politicians, which showed just how much the British public loved him. The Abbey was so crowded that people were turned away. His grave is covered by a slate slab, and there is a bust (statue of his head) nearby. Resting in Poets’ Corner cements his status not just as a popular writer, but as a permanent pillar of Western culture.
22. In which year did Alfred, Lord Tennyson die?
A) 1888
B) 1901
C) 1850
D) 1892
Answer: D) 1892
Explanation: Tennyson died on October 6, 1892, at the age of 83. His death marked the end of an era. He had been the dominant voice in poetry for over 40 years, serving as Poet Laureate for the majority of Queen Victoria’s reign. His passing was felt deeply across the English-speaking world. According to accounts of his death, he died peacefully at his home in Aldworth, bathed in moonlight, with a copy of Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline lying open on his bed. This romantic and peaceful end was fitting for a man who had spent his life exploring the mysteries of life and death in verse. After 1892, the style of poetry began to change drastically as the Modernist movement approached, making his death a clear dividing line in literary history.
23. Who wrote the harsh 1833 review in the Quarterly Review that deeply humiliated Tennyson?
A) John Keats
B) William Wordsworth
C) John Wilson Croker
D) Samuel Johnson
Answer: C) John Wilson Croker
Explanation: The critic who nearly ruined Tennyson’s career was John Wilson Croker. In 1833, Croker wrote a savage and mocking review of Tennyson’s poetry collection in the Quarterly Review. Croker was known for being a bully in the literary world (he had previously attacked John Keats). He picked apart Tennyson’s poems line by line, mocking his use of language and calling his work silly and affected. Tennyson, who was young and incredibly sensitive, was humiliated. This review was a major reason why Tennyson retreated into his “Ten Years’ Silence.” It shattered his confidence so badly that he refused to publish another book for a decade. However, it also forced him to look critically at his own work and improve his style, eventually making him a better poet.
24. Which statement best describes Tennyson’s creative work during the “Ten Years’ Silence”?
A) He abandoned poetry entirely and turned to farming.
B) He continued writing and revising poetry but refused to publish it.
C) He wrote only plays and novels during this period.
D) He lost all his manuscripts in a fire.
Answer: B) He continued writing and revising poetry but refused to publish it.
Explanation: The term “Ten Years’ Silence” is a bit misleading because Tennyson was never actually silent—he just stopped talking to the public. He did not quit poetry to become a farmer or a soldier; he became a student of his own art. During this decade (1832-1842), he lived a quiet, almost reclusive life. He spent his days writing new poems (including Ulysses and Morte d’Arthur) and obsessively rewriting his old ones to fix the mistakes critics had pointed out. He studied science, history, and philosophy to give his work more depth. This was a period of intense artistic incubation. When he finally emerged from this “silence,” he wasn’t just a good poet; he was a master. He proved that he had the discipline to perfect his craft despite public failure.
25. The “Ten Years’ Silence” ended with the publication of which work that firmly established Tennyson’s reputation?
A) Idylls of the King
B) Poems (1842)
C) Maud
D) The Princess
Answer: B) Poems (1842)
Explanation: The publication of the two-volume collection simply titled “Poems” in 1842 was the triumphant end to his silence. This book is often considered one of the greatest collections of poetry ever published in English. It contained revised versions of his earlier work (proving he had listened to critics) and brilliant new masterpieces like Ulysses, The Lady of Shalott, and Locksley Hall. The reception was overwhelmingly positive. Critics who had mocked him ten years earlier now hailed him as a genius. This collection secured his reputation permanently. It showed the world that he was not a “flash in the pan” but a serious, enduring artist. From 1842 onwards, Tennyson was the undisputed king of Victorian poetry.
26. Apart from harsh criticism, what was the most significant personal reason behind the “Ten Years’ Silence”?
A) A long-term illness
B) His appointment as Poet Laureate
C) Deep grief following the death of Arthur Hallam
D) Extended travel in America
Answer: C) Deep grief following the death of Arthur Hallam
Explanation: While the harsh reviews hurt his pride, the death of Arthur Hallam broke his heart. This was the true emotional cause of his withdrawal from the world. Hallam’s death in 1833 threw Tennyson into a spiritual crisis. He questioned God, the afterlife, and the purpose of art. He felt unable to participate in the “marketplace” of publishing while he was paralyzed by sorrow. He needed time to process this loss privately. During the “Ten Years’ Silence,” he poured his grief into writing the separate lyrics that would eventually become In Memoriam. His silence was a period of mourning. He couldn’t face the public because he was too busy having an internal conversation with his dead friend.
27. What does Ulysses mean by the line “As tho’ to breathe were life!”?
A) He suffers from breathing problems
B) He is thankful merely to be alive
C) Mere physical survival is not real living
D) Life is easy and effortless
Answer: C) Mere physical survival is not real living
Explanation: When Ulysses exclaims, “As tho’ to breathe were life!”, he is making a philosophical distinction between existing and living. He dismisses the biological act of breathing as the bare minimum required for survival. For Ulysses, a person can breathe for 100 years and still not have “lived.” To him, “life” is defined by action, intensity, risk, and discovery. He looks at the people in his kingdom who are safe and comfortable, and he sees them as dead inside because they lack passion. This line reveals his refusal to settle for a safe, boring retirement. He would rather die seeking a new world than live a long, empty life sitting in a chair. It is a rejection of mediocrity.
28. According to Ulysses, how do his people spend their lives?
A) Thinking and creating
B) Hoarding, sleeping, and feeding
C) Exploring and conquering
D) Praying and fasting
Answer: B) Hoarding, sleeping, and feeding
Explanation: Ulysses describes his subjects (the people of Ithaca) with contempt, saying they do nothing but “hoard, and sleep, and feed.” This description reduces them to the level of animals. Animals eat and sleep; humans are supposed to do more. “Hoarding” implies they are greedy and obsessed with material wealth. “Sleeping” implies they are unaware and intellectually lazy. “Feeding” implies they are driven only by basic physical appetites. Ulysses is frustrated because he has seen the wonders of the world, and now he is stuck ruling over people who only care about their next meal and their bank accounts. He feels alienated because they cannot understand his “hungry heart” or his desire for knowledge.
29. How does Ulysses describe himself in the opening line of the poem?
A) An idle king
B) A wise philosopher
C) A busy ruler
D) A lost sailor
Answer: A) An idle king
Explanation: In the very first line (“It little profits that an idle king…”), Ulysses refers to himself as an “idle king.” The word “idle” is crucial. It means he is not doing anything productive. To the outside world, he looks successful—he is a king with a stable country. But to himself, he is useless because he is not moving. He feels like a tool that is rusting on a shelf. He hates the stillness of the throne. This establishes the central conflict of the poem immediately: Ulysses is a man of action who is trapped in a job that requires sitting still. He views his kingship not as a glorious duty, but as a boring pause in his real life of adventure.
30. Ulysses wishes to pursue knowledge beyond the furthest limits of:
A) Divine will
B) Royal authority
C) Physical power
D) Human thought
Answer: D) Human thought
Explanation: Ulysses wants to follow knowledge “beyond the utmost bound of human thought.” This is a magnificent expression of his ambition. He doesn’t just want to see new islands or cities; he wants to surpass the limits of what humans are supposed to know. He wants to break the barrier of human potential. In the Victorian context, this reflects the era’s obsession with scientific discovery and pushing boundaries. Ulysses isn’t satisfied with conventional wisdom or religion; he wants to sail into the unknown to find absolute truth, even if it is dangerous or forbidden. It shows that his journey is intellectual and spiritual, not just physical. He is an explorer of the mind as much as the sea.
31. Ulysses compares himself to a metal tool that is useless if it begins to “____ unburnish’d.”
A) Sleep
B) Rust
C) Break
D) Fade
Answer: B) Rust
Explanation: Ulysses compares himself to a metal sword or tool that must be used to stay shiny. In the line “To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!”, he uses a powerful metaphor. “Burnished” means polished by friction or use. When a sword is used in battle, it stays bright and sharp. When it is left hanging on a wall, it gathers dust and rusts. Ulysses feels that staying at home in Ithaca is making him “rust” away. He believes that human beings, like tools, are designed for action. Inactivity is a form of decay. He refuses to let his skills and spirit corrode simply because he is old. He wants to wear out from hard work and adventure (“shine in use”) rather than rot away from safety and boredom.
32. What are the “rainy Hyades” mentioned in the poem?
A) A cluster of stars
B) A group of islands
C) A type of ship
D) A mythical beast
Answer: A) A cluster of stars
Explanation: The Hyades are a V-shaped cluster of stars located in the constellation Taurus. In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, they were known as the “rainy stars” because their rising in the sky coincided with the rainy season in the Mediterranean. When Ulysses says, “Thro’ scudding drifts the rainy Hyades / Vext the dim sea,” he is recalling his past voyages. He remembers navigating through storms when these stars appeared. By saying the stars “vexed” (annoyed or agitated) the sea, he is using personification to describe how the weather turned violent. This detail highlights his skill as a sailor; he didn’t just sail in calm waters, he navigated by the stars through the most dangerous storms and still survived.
33. In the line “All experience is an ____,” what word completes the metaphor?
A) Ocean
B) Island
C) Anchor
D) Arch
Answer: D) Arch
Explanation: This is one of the most famous metaphors in literature: “All experience is an arch wherethro’ / Gleams that untravell’d world.” Usually, people think of experience as a building where you store things you have learned. But Ulysses sees it as a doorway or an arch. When you walk through an arch, your view expands. The more he learns (walks forward), the more he can see of the world ahead of him. The “untravell’d world” is the future knowledge he hasn’t reached yet. It “gleams” through the arch, inviting him forward. This metaphor explains why he can never stop: the journey has no end. Every step forward reveals a new horizon, making the unknown world seem infinite and exciting.
34. Ulysses declares, “I will drink Life to the ____.”
A) End
B) Fullest
C) Lees
D) Last
Answer: C) Lees
Explanation: The word “lees” refers to the sediment, dregs, or solid particles that settle at the very bottom of a bottle of wine. When Ulysses says, “I will drink Life to the lees,” he is comparing life to a cup of wine. Most people only sip the clear, easy wine at the top (the good times). Ulysses wants to tip the cup back and drink everything, right down to the bitter, muddy sediment at the bottom. This means he wants to experience everything life has to offer—the pain, the suffering, the aging, and the danger—not just the happiness. He doesn’t want to leave a single drop of life tasted. It shows his intense hunger for reality and his refusal to live a sheltered, partial existence.
35. What does the phrase “three suns” most nearly signify?
A) Three days
B) Three years
C) Three decades
D) Three months
Answer: B) Three years
Explanation: The phrase “three suns” is a poetic way of saying three years. Since the sun completes its cycle around the earth (or the earth around the sun) once a year, three suns represent three full cycles of seasons. Ulysses estimates that he has only about three years of life left before he dies. He says it would be “vile” (disgusting) to store himself away for these few remaining years. This timeframe adds a sense of urgency to the poem. He isn’t planning for a distant future; he knows his time is short. This makes his desire to leave immediately even more desperate. He wants to squeeze every bit of value out of these last “three suns” rather than hoarding them in safety.
36. How does Ulysses characterize the people he rules in Ithaca?
A) A savage race
B) A loyal army
C) A refined society
D) A peaceful family
Answer: A) A savage race
Explanation: Ulysses refers to his own subjects as a “savage race.” This sounds very harsh, considering these are the people he fought a war to return to. However, it reflects his current mental state. To a man who has seen the great cities of the world and debated with kings and gods, the simple farmers of Ithaca seem primitive. He feels they are “savage” not because they are violent, but because they lack culture and ambition. They are content to just eat and sleep. This disconnect highlights the tragedy of the intellectual hero: he has grown too big for his home. He cannot relate to them anymore because his experiences have fundamentally changed him, while they have stayed the same.
37. What is meant by the expression “drink life to the lees”?
A) To indulge in alcohol
B) To live recklessly
C) To retire peacefully
D) To experience life fully till the very end
Answer: D) To experience life fully till the very end
Explanation: To “drink life to the lees” is an idiom derived from wine drinking, but its deeper meaning is about living without reservation. It means accepting the totality of human existence. Ulysses doesn’t want a sanitized, safe life. He wants the raw, unfiltered experience of being alive, even if it hurts. Drinking the “lees” (the dregs) implies that he is willing to endure the bitter or difficult parts of life (like old age, danger, or death) just to say he experienced them. It is the opposite of a passive life. It suggests a greedy, enthusiastic consumption of time and experience. He wants to use up every ounce of his energy before he dies, leaving nothing behind.
38. Which metaphor expresses Ulysses’ endless desire for experience?
A) Physical hunger
B) Love for his wife
C) A hungry heart
D) A diseased heart
Answer: C) A hungry heart
Explanation: Ulysses describes himself as “roaming with a hungry heart.” This metaphor of hunger perfectly captures his personality. Hunger is a basic, primal need that causes physical pain if not satisfied. Ulysses feels a similar spiritual pain if he is not exploring. He consumes experiences like food. But unlike a stomach that gets full, his heart is insatiable—the more he sees, the more he wants to see. This “hungry heart” is what drives him away from his comfortable home. It is an internal force that he cannot control. It suggests that his travels are not just a hobby, but a necessity for his survival. Without new knowledge, he starves.
39. How is the landscape of Ithaca described by Ulysses?
A) Fertile valleys
B) Barren crags
C) Golden beaches
D) Dense forests
Answer: B) Barren crags
Explanation: Ulysses describes Ithaca as “barren crags.” A crag is a steep, rugged rock or cliff. “Barren” means it cannot grow crops or fruit. This description stands in sharp contrast to the lush, magical islands he visited during his odyssey. It reflects his boredom and disappointment with home. He sees his kingdom as dry, rocky, and lifeless. It offers him no nourishment or comfort. This bleak landscape mirrors his internal feeling of emptiness while staying there. If he saw Ithaca as a beautiful paradise, he might want to stay. By seeing it as “barren crags,” he justifies his decision to leave. The landscape itself seems to be pushing him away, back toward the open sea.
40. In the poem, the phrase “eternal silence” refers to:
A) Death
B) The sea
C) Outer space
D) Sleep
Answer: A) DeathExplanation: In the line “every hour is saved / From that eternal silence,” Ulysses is using a metaphor for Death. He views death not as a heaven or a hell, but as a complete cessation of sound and action—a void of silence. This terrifies him because he is a man of noise, battle, and debate. He loves the “ringing plains” of war and the “moaning” of the sea. Silence is his enemy. This fear of the “eternal silence” drives his obsession with using every single hour he has left. He wants to make as much noise and impact as possible before the silence swallows him forever. It reveals his secular, almost existential view of mortality.
41. What does “mete and dole” suggest in relation to Ulysses’ kingly duties?
A) Waging wars
B) Cultivating land
C) Framing laws
D) Measuring rewards and punishments
Answer: D) Measuring rewards and punishments
Explanation: The phrase “mete and dole” refers to the tedious administrative work of a king. “Mete” means to measure out, and “dole” means to distribute in small portions. Ulysses is complaining about his daily routine of sitting in a court and deciding how many coins a farmer owes his neighbor or what punishment a thief deserves. He finds this work incredibly boring and petty. He feels like a grocer weighing vegetables rather than a hero. This phrase highlights the contrast between the grand, sweeping actions of war and travel (which he loves) and the small, repetitive, bureaucratic details of governing a stable society (which he hates). He feels his great mind is being wasted on measuring out “unequal laws” to people who don’t appreciate him.
42. Ulysses compares his pursuit of knowledge to following a “____ star.”
A) Rising
B) Shooting
C) Sinking
D) Shining
Answer: C) Sinking
Explanation: Ulysses compares his pursuit of knowledge to following a “sinking star.” This is a beautiful and complex simile. When a star “sinks,” it sets below the horizon and disappears into the darkness of the unknown. By saying he wants to follow it, Ulysses means he wants to sail past the horizon where the star vanished. He wants to go where the light ends and the mystery begins. It implies that knowledge is elusive—you have to chase it. It also foreshadows his death, as a “sinking star” represents the end of a cycle. He is willing to chase wisdom right off the edge of the map, even if it leads him into the darkness of death.
43. What does Ulysses mean when he says, “I am become a name”?
A) He has lost his identity
B) He has become a legendary figure
C) He is insignificant
D) He wishes to change his name
Answer: B) He has become a legendary figure
Explanation: When Ulysses says, “I am become a name,” he is realizing that he is no longer just a regular human being; he has become a living legend. The word “Ulysses” has become a synonym for adventure, trickery, and survival. Strangers know his reputation before they even meet him. However, there is a sense of isolation in this. Being a “name” means people see him as a symbol or a statue, not as a flesh-and-blood man with feelings. He feels disconnected from the people around him because they worship the idea of him but don’t understand his current pain. He has achieved immortality through fame, but he feels empty because he is now just a character in a story rather than an active participant in life.
44. What happens to the “margin” of the untravelled world as Ulysses advances?
A) It fades endlessly
B) It moves closer
C) It turns into a barrier
D) It remains fixed
Answer: A) It fades endlessly
Explanation: This refers to the optical illusion of the horizon. The “margin” is the edge of the world that you can see. When you walk toward the horizon, it doesn’t get closer; it moves away from you. Ulysses uses this as a metaphor for learning. “It fades forever and forever when I move” means that the more he learns, the more he realizes there is to learn. The journey of knowledge never ends. You can never reach the “edge” of knowledge and say, “I am finished.” Every discovery reveals a new mystery in the distance. Instead of being frustrated by this, Ulysses is inspired by it. He loves the chase. He wants to keep moving toward that fading margin until his last breath.
45. What is the meaning of the line “Life piled on life were all too little”?
A) He is weary of living
B) He longs for death
C) He has lived too long
D) Even many lifetimes would be insufficient
Answer: D) Even many lifetimes would be insufficient
Explanation: Ulysses says, “Life piled on life were all too little.” This expresses his insatiable greed for experience. He realizes that a single human lifespan (70 or 80 years) is tragically short. The world is so massive and full of wonders that even if he were given ten lives stacked on top of each other, it still wouldn’t be enough time to see everything. He feels cheated by mortality. This realization creates a sense of panic and urgency. Since he doesn’t have multiple lives—he only has the “little remains” of this one—he refuses to waste a single second sleeping or resting. He has to cram as much living as possible into the tiny amount of time he has left.
46. Who is the “aged wife” to whom Ulysses refers?
A) Helen
B) Calypso
C) Penelope
D) Circe
Answer: C) Penelope
Explanation: The “aged wife” is Penelope. In Homer’s Odyssey, the entire plot revolves, ironically, around Ulysses trying to get home to his beloved wife Penelope. She is the symbol of faithfulness, waiting 20 years for him. However, in Tennyson’s poem, the reality of time has set in. They are both old now. The romantic spark has dimmed, and they have grown apart. She is content with the quiet domestic life by the hearth, while he is restless and bored. Calling her his “aged wife” instead of by her name sounds cold and detached. It shows that his love for adventure has become stronger than his love for his family. He is leaving her behind not because he hates her, but because he cannot share her desire for a peaceful retirement.
47. Which two symbolic items does Ulysses formally hand over to his son Telemachus?
A) The sword and the shield
B) The crown and the throne
C) The sceptre and the isle
D) The ship and the compass
Answer: C) The sceptre and the isle
Explanation: Ulysses formally hands over “the sceptre and the isle” to his son. These are symbols of political power. The sceptre is a ceremonial rod held by a monarch, representing his authority to make laws and judge people. The isle is the physical territory of Ithaca itself. By giving these two things to Telemachus, Ulysses is performing an act of abdication (resigning from the throne). He is effectively saying, “You are the King now.” This is a crucial plot point because it frees Ulysses from his obligations. He cannot leave on his voyage if he is still responsible for the kingdom. By passing the burden of leadership to his son, he buys his own freedom.
48. Ulysses describes Telemachus as being “centered in the sphere of ____.”
A) Endless adventure
B) Divine contemplation
C) Common duties
D) Royal luxury
Answer: C) Common duties
Explanation: Ulysses says Telemachus is “centered in the sphere of common duties.” The word “sphere” implies a limited, enclosed area, and “common” implies ordinary or everyday tasks. Ulysses is describing the job of a king: signing treaties, settling disputes, and managing the economy. He acknowledges that Telemachus is actually better at these things than he is. Telemachus is reliable, patient, and focused on the details. Ulysses is too wild and restless for “common duties.” He respects his son’s ability to handle the boring stuff, but he also subtly looks down on it as a smaller life. He is happy to let his son be a good bureaucrat so he can go back to being a hero.
49. Which adjective does Ulysses use for the people of Ithaca whom Telemachus must govern?
A) Rugged
B) Noble
C) Cultured
D) Peaceful
Answer: A) Rugged
Explanation: Ulysses describes his subjects as a “rugged people.” The word “rugged” suggests they are rough, unrefined, and perhaps a bit wild or stubborn. They are not the sophisticated intellectuals Ulysses met in his travels; they are simple farmers and goatherds. Ulysses finds them frustrating because they are difficult to govern and don’t understand his high ideals. He believes they need to be “subdued” (tamed) and taught how to be “useful and good.” He realizes he lacks the patience to do this teaching himself. He sees them almost as a raw material that needs to be shaped, and he trusts his son to do the hard, slow work of civilizing this “rugged” population.
50. According to Ulysses, how will Telemachus “make mild” the rugged people?
A) By enforcing strict laws
B) Through sudden force
C) By slow prudence
D) By divine magic
Answer: C) By slow prudence
Explanation: Ulysses believes Telemachus will succeed through “slow prudence.” Prudence means caution, wisdom, and good judgment. Slow indicates that the changes will happen gradually, not overnight. Ulysses knows that he himself is a man of “thunder and sunshine”—impulsive and dramatic. But a kingdom doesn’t need drama; it needs stability. Telemachus has the patience to make small, careful improvements over time (“soft degrees”). He will gently guide the people rather than forcing them. Ulysses recognizes that this “slow prudence” is exactly what Ithaca needs to prosper, even if it is a style of leadership that Ulysses himself finds painfully boring.
51. What is the famous concluding line of the passage describing Telemachus?
A) To strive, to seek, to find.
B) He works his work, I mine.
C) I cannot rest from travel.
D) The long day wanes.
Answer: B) He works his work, I mine.
Explanation: The line “He works his work, I mine” is the definitive concluding statement of the second section of the poem. It is a masterpiece of brevity and clarity. With these six monosyllabic words, Ulysses perfectly summarizes the relationship between himself and his son. It acknowledges a division of labor. Telemachus has his job (governing, civilizing, maintaining order), and Ulysses has his job (exploring, sailing, pushing boundaries). Neither work is insulted; they are just different. It solves the moral dilemma of the poem: How can a king leave his people? The answer is that he leaves a competent replacement. This line represents the formal separation of their paths—Telemachus to the hearth, Ulysses to the sea.
52. Telemachus is described as “decent not to fail in offices of ____.”
A) War
B) State
C) Glory
D) Tenderness
Answer: D) Tenderness
Explanation: Ulysses says Telemachus is “decent not to fail in offices of tenderness.” This is a crucial character trait. “Offices” here means duties or social obligations. “Tenderness” refers to the ability to care for people, specifically Ulysses’ “aged wife,” Penelope, and the citizens. Ulysses knows that he himself is a hard man; he is a warrior made of “thunder.” He lacks the softness required to comfort an old mother or nurture a developing society. Telemachus, however, has a gentler heart. He is capable of the emotional labor that Ulysses finds impossible. By highlighting this, Ulysses is assuring the reader (and himself) that his family will be emotionally supported even after he abandons them.
53. What does Ulysses trust Telemachus to do regarding the household gods?
A) Pay meet adoration to them
B) Ignore them completely
C) Replace them with new gods
D) Sell them for gold
Answer: A) Pay meet adoration to them
Explanation: Ulysses trusts Telemachus to “pay meet adoration” to the household gods. “Meet” means “appropriate” or “fitting.” The “household gods” (known as Lares and Penates in Roman mythology) were small statues kept in the home to protect the family lineage. Worshipping them symbolized respect for tradition, ancestors, and domestic stability. Ulysses is admitting that he is not a traditional man; he doesn’t care about staying home to dust statues or pray to ancestors. He wants to look forward, not backward. Telemachus, however, is a preserver of tradition. He will keep the religious rituals alive. This ensures that the spiritual health of the kingdom remains intact, even as the King sails away into the godless ocean.
54. Which word does Ulysses use to describe Telemachus’s moral nature?
A) Fearless
B) Blameless
C) Restless
D) Powerless
Answer: B) Blameless
Explanation: Ulysses describes Telemachus as “blameless.” This word is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is high praise—Telemachus is morally perfect. He never breaks the rules; he does everything society expects of him. He is the ideal Victorian gentleman. On the other hand, in the context of Ulysses’ wild adventurous spirit, being “blameless” sounds a bit boring. A man who never makes a mistake likely never takes a risk. Ulysses respects Telemachus’s purity, but he doesn’t envy it. It highlights the contrast between the Safe Bureaucrat (Telemachus) and the Flawed Hero (Ulysses). Ulysses is willing to be “blamed” for leaving, while Telemachus will stay and remain “blameless.”
55. In the line “Subdue them to the useful and the good,” what does “subdue” imply?
A) To conquer violently
B) To enslave
C) To guide and civilize
D) To imprison
Answer: C) To guide and civilize
Explanation: When Ulysses says Telemachus will “subdue” the people to the useful and the good, he is using the word in the sense of civilizing wild nature. Just as a farmer subdues the wilderness to make a productive farm, Telemachus will subdue the “rugged” instincts of the population to make a productive society. It implies a “civilizing mission”—a very Victorian concept. It suggests that without strong leadership, the people would remain savage and chaotic. Telemachus’s role is to tame their darker impulses and channel their energy into things that are “useful” (economy/industry) and “good” (morality/ethics). It is a constructive, educational process, not a violent military conquest.
56. Why does Ulysses suggest that Telemachus is better suited to rule Ithaca?
A) He is a superior warrior
B) He is younger and stronger
C) He possesses patience for administrative duties
D) Ulysses was forced to abdicate
Answer: C) He possesses patience for administrative duties
Explanation: Ulysses hands over the kingdom because Telemachus has the patience for the “slow prudence” of administration. Running a country involves endless meetings, compromises, and attention to small details. Ulysses is an adrenaline junkie; he thrives on crisis and war. He has zero patience for the boredom of peace. He recognizes that Telemachus is temperamentally better suited for the job. Telemachus can sit still; Ulysses cannot. This explanation validates Ulysses’ abdication—he isn’t just quitting; he is recognizing that his skillset (warrior/explorer) is no longer what the country needs. The country needs a manager, and Telemachus is the perfect manager.
57. What does the phrase “through soft degrees” suggest about Telemachus’s governance?
A) Gradual and gentle reform
B) Weak and ineffective leadership
C) Harsh and rigid rule
D) Frequent changes of mind
Answer: A) Gradual and gentle reform
Explanation: The phrase “through soft degrees” refers to the method of gradual reform. “Soft degrees” means small, gentle steps. Ulysses predicts that Telemachus will not change the society overnight with a hammer; he will change it slowly with a chisel. This is the Victorian ideal of progress—evolution, not revolution. Ulysses knows that his own style is too intense (“thunder”). If Ulysses tried to rule, he might break the people with his harshness. Telemachus will gently elevate them over years or decades. This reinforces the idea that Telemachus is the “safe pair of hands” to whom Ulysses can entrust the future, allowing Ulysses to leave without guilt.
58. Ulysses describes Telemachus as being “well-loved of ____.”
A) The gods
B) The people
C) The mariners
D) Me (Ulysses)
Answer: D) Me (Ulysses)
Explanation: It is very important that Ulysses says Telemachus is “well-loved of me.” Critics often accuse Ulysses of being a bad father for leaving his son. However, this line proves that he does love Telemachus. He isn’t leaving because he hates his son; he is leaving because he needs to be true to his own nature. He expresses deep affection and pride in Telemachus’s abilities. He recognizes that they are different people with different souls, but that doesn’t negate the love. It humanizes Ulysses. He is making a difficult choice to leave someone he loves in order to pursue the knowledge he craves. It adds emotional weight to his departure.
59. By stating, “He works his work, I mine,” Ulysses accepts that:
A) He and Telemachus are enemies
B) Telemachus is lazy
C) Each has a different but equally valid destiny
D) Ulysses is superior in all respects
Answer: C) Each has a different but equally valid destiny
Explanation: “He works his work, I mine” is an acceptance of separate but valid destinies. It is a declaration of mutual respect. Ulysses realizes that the world needs both types of men: the Stayers (who build, govern, and maintain civilization) and the Goers (who explore, discover, and expand boundaries). One is not necessarily “better” than the other; they just have different functions. If everyone were like Ulysses, civilization would collapse from chaos. If everyone were like Telemachus, civilization would stagnate from boredom. Ulysses accepts that his son is a Stayer and he is a Goer, and that is exactly how the universe should be ordered.
60. According to Ulysses, what is the ultimate aim of Telemachus’s rule?
A) Expansion of the kingdom
B) Making the people useful and good
C) Building a powerful navy
D) Accumulating great wealth
Answer: B) Making the people useful and goodExplanation: The ultimate goal of Telemachus’s rule is to make the citizens “useful and good.” This phrase reflects the Utilitarian philosophy popular in Tennyson’s time. A successful society is defined by its utility (productivity) and its goodness (morality). It is a very practical, grounded vision of success. It isn’t about glory, fame, or conquering the world (which are Ulysses’ goals). It is about creating a functional, moral community. Ulysses acknowledges that this is a noble goal, even if it is too boring for him personally to participate in. He leaves the task of social improvement to his son, while he seeks the transcendental goal of “experience” and “knowledge.”
61. Whom does Ulysses address in the final section of the poem?
A) The gods
B) His son Telemachus
C) His mariners
D) His wife Penelope
Answer: C) His mariners
Explanation: In the final section of the poem, the speaker shifts his attention away from himself and his son to address his mariners (his crew). This is a very poignant moment because, in Homer’s original myth, all of Ulysses’ crew died before he returned to Ithaca. He returned alone. Therefore, in Tennyson’s poem, he is either addressing the ghosts of his dead friends or a new crew of old men he has gathered. Addressing them as “Souls that have toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me” shows a deep bond of brotherhood. He treats them as equals (“my peers”), not as subjects. He is rallying them for one last suicide mission, appealing to their shared history of suffering and victory to convince them to join him.
62. Complete the line: “The long day wanes: the slow ____ climbs.”
A) Moon
B) Sun
C) Star
D) Tide
Answer: A) Moon
Explanation: The line “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs” creates a specific atmospheric setting. The moon rising signifies the arrival of night. In poetry, night is almost always a symbol for death or the end of a cycle. The “long day” represents Ulysses’ long life, which is now fading. As the moon climbs and the “deep moans round with many voices,” the tide is turning. This is the perfect time for departure. Sailors often leave on the tide. The imagery creates a mood of solemnity and finality. It isn’t a bright, cheerful morning departure; it is a twilight journey into the dark unknown, guided only by the “slow moon” and the stars.
63. What does Ulysses urge his companions to “smite” with their oars?
A) Enemy ships
B) The rocky shore
C) Sea monsters
D) The sounding furrows
Answer: D) The sounding furrows
Explanation: Ulysses commands his men to “smite the sounding furrows.” “Smite” means to strike hard, and “furrows” refers to the grooves or tracks made in the water by the oars (similar to how a plow makes furrows in soil). They are called “sounding” because when the heavy wooden oars hit the ocean waves, they make a loud, rhythmic crashing noise. This is a call to physical action. Ulysses wants them to row with strength and purpose. He wants to hear the noise of the journey beginning. It emphasizes the physical effort required to leave. They must actively strike the sea to escape the stagnation of the land. It is a violent, energetic image of breaking away from home.
64. Which great hero does Ulysses hope to meet in the Happy Isles?
A) Hector
B) Achilles
C) Hercules
D) Agamemnon
Answer: B) Achilles
Explanation: Ulysses hopes that if they reach the “Happy Isles” (the Greek heaven, or Elysium), they might “see the great Achilles, whom we knew.” Achilles was the greatest hero of the Trojan War, but he died young on the battlefield. Ulysses, in contrast, survived and grew old. By hoping to see Achilles, Ulysses is expressing a longing for the heroic past. He misses the days when giants walked the earth. It also suggests that Ulysses is ready to die. Meeting Achilles again can only happen in the afterlife. He is effectively saying that he is willing to die on this voyage if it means he can be reunited with his peers and equals in glory, rather than rotting away with people he doesn’t respect.
65. How does Ulysses describe the way his crew welcomed both “thunder and sunshine”?
A) Frolic
B) Fear
C) Silence
D) Anger
Answer: A) Frolic
Explanation: Ulysses reminds his men that they always welcomed danger with a “frolic.” The word “frolic” means playful, cheerful, and energetic behavior. This is an amazing description of their attitude toward life-threatening situations (“thunder and sunshine”). It means they didn’t just endure hardship; they enjoyed it. They treated war and storms like a game or a sport. They faced terror with a smile. This emphasizes their “free hearts, free foreheads.” They were not crushed by their suffering; they remained lighthearted and brave. Ulysses is trying to reignite this youthful, playful spark in their old hearts, reminding them that they used to laugh in the face of death.
66. Complete the line: “Tho’ much is taken, much ____.”
A) Is lost
B) Is gone
C) Abides
D) Remains
Answer: C) Abides
Explanation: The line “Tho’ much is taken, much abides” is one of the most quoted lines in English literature. “Abides” means remains, stays, or endures. Ulysses is admitting that they are not the men they used to be. Time has “taken” their physical strength, their youth, and their speed. They are old and broken. However, he insists that something essential “abides”—their spirit. The core of who they are has not changed. This line is the central message of the poem: resilience. It acknowledges loss without giving in to despair. It is a realistic assessment of old age (we lost a lot) balanced with a heroic assertion of will (but we still have what matters).
67. Where does Ulysses resolve to sail until the end of his life?
A) Back to Troy
B) Beyond the sunset
C) To the port
D) Across the Mediterranean
Answer: B) Beyond the sunset
Explanation: Ulysses states his purpose is to “sail beyond the sunset.” In ancient Greek geography, the “west” (where the sun sets) was the edge of the known world. It was a place of mystery, often associated with the entrance to the Underworld (Hades). To sail “beyond” it means to go off the map—to go where no living human is supposed to go. Metaphorically, the sunset represents the end of life. Ulysses wants to sail right through the barrier of death while he is still alive. He is chasing the sun as it sinks. It captures his refusal to stop exploring. He doesn’t want to reach a specific port; he wants to reach the limit of existence itself.
68. What produces the “sound” in the phrase “sounding furrows”?
A) The wind
B) Thunder
C) Human voices
D) Oars striking the water
Answer: D) Oars striking the water
Explanation: The “sound” in “sounding furrows” is produced by the oars striking the water. “Sounding” here is an adjective describing the noise the ocean makes when it is disturbed by the rowers. It creates an auditory image (something you can hear) for the reader. You can almost hear the rhythmic splash-thud of the oars hitting the waves. It also relates to the nautical term “sounding” (measuring depth), but in this specific context of “smite” (hit), it refers to the noise. The ocean is not silent; it “moans” and “sounds” as the men struggle against it. It brings the scene to life, making the departure feel physical and immediate rather than just a dream in Ulysses’ head.
69. According to Ulysses, what does old age still possess?
A) Honour and toil
B) Only rest and sleep
C) Regret and sorrow
D) Fear and weakness
Answer: A) Honour and toil
Explanation: Ulysses argues that “Old age hath yet his honour and his toil.” This challenges the stereotypical view that old people should just rest and be taken care of. Ulysses believes that being old doesn’t mean you are useless. There is still “toil” (hard work) to be done. There is still “honour” to be won. He believes they can still do “some work of noble note” before they die. This is an anti-ageist statement. He refuses to retire. He believes that as long as you are breathing, you have a responsibility to contribute, to struggle, and to achieve. He is redefining what it means to be an elder—not a passive observer, but an active participant in the struggle of life.
70. Complete the line: “The lights begin to twinkle from the ____.”
A) Ships
B) Stars
C) Rocks
D) Windows
Answer: C) Rocks
Explanation: The line “The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks” paints a picture of the town of Ithaca at twilight. The “rocks” refer to the cliffs or the rugged landscape where the houses are built. As the sun sets, the people in their homes are lighting candles or lamps. These “twinkling lights” represent safety, family, sleep, and domestic comfort—everything Ulysses is leaving behind. He is on his ship, looking back at the shore. The lights are inviting, but he turns his back on them to face the dark ocean. It is a visual representation of his choice: the twinkling lights of the known world versus the dark mystery of the “deep.” He chooses the dark.
71. What is the famous final line of the poem?
A) And not to fail
B) And not to die
C) And not to sleep
D) And not to yield
Answer: D) And not to yield
Explanation: The final line of the poem, “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield,” is one of the most famous endings in English literature. It perfectly encapsulates the Victorian spirit of resilience and determination. “Not to yield” means refusing to give up, surrender, or bow down to the inevitable forces of age, death, or failure. It is a powerful declaration of human will. Even though Ulysses knows he is old and physically weak (“made weak by time and fate”), his spirit remains unbroken. He is committed to the struggle of life until his very last breath. This line transforms the poem from a story about an old sailor into a universal anthem for anyone facing adversity.
72. What do the “Happy Isles” most likely represent?
A) The British Isles
B) The Elysian Fields (Heaven)
C) Troy
D) Ithaca
Answer: B) The Elysian Fields (Heaven)
Explanation: The “Happy Isles” (or Isles of the Blessed) refer to the Elysian Fields in Greek mythology. This was the resting place for the souls of great heroes and the virtuous, located at the extreme western edge of the world. It was a paradise where the weather was always perfect, and heroes lived forever in peace. By saying, “It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,” Ulysses is acknowledging that this voyage is likely a suicide mission. He knows they might die. However, he comforts himself and his crew with the thought that if they do die, they might reach this paradise and be reunited with their fallen comrades, like the great Achilles. It frames death as the ultimate adventure.
73. In the evening scene, what does the “deep” (the sea) do?
A) Moans round with many voices
B) Crashes violently
C) Sleeps silently
D) Turns dark and still
Answer: A) Moans round with many voices
Explanation: Ulysses describes the ocean at night saying, “The deep moans round with many voices.” This is a stunning example of personification. The sea is given a human quality—it “moans.” This sound implies sadness, mystery, and perhaps a warning. The “many voices” suggest that the sea is calling to him, whispering secrets of the past and the future. It reflects Ulysses’ deep connection to the ocean; it speaks a language he understands. While the land is silent and sleeping, the sea is alive and vocal. This spooky, atmospheric description emphasizes that the ocean is a living entity, a dangerous companion that is waiting for him to return.
74. Ulysses describes his crew as having “one equal temper of ____ hearts.”
A) Broken
B) Weary
C) Heroic
D) Young
Answer: C) Heroic
Explanation: Ulysses describes his crew as having “one equal temper of heroic hearts.” The word “temper” here refers to the quality or hardness of a metal (like tempered steel), suggesting their spirits have been hardened and tested by fire. Calling them “heroic” acknowledges that although they are physically old and weak, their internal bravery is undiminished. They share a single, unified spirit (“one equal temper”). They are not just employees; they are brothers in arms who have survived “thunder and sunshine” together. This elevates the crew from simple sailors to legendary figures, worthy of one last great voyage.
75. What does Ulysses declare it is “not too late” to do?
A) Save the kingdom
B) Seek a newer world
C) Make peace with God
D) Bid farewell to family
Answer: B) Seek a newer world
Explanation: Ulysses declares that it is “not too late to seek a newer world.” This line is the antidote to regret. Usually, old age is seen as a time when it is too late to start anything new. Ulysses rejects this. He believes that discovery is possible at any age. “Newer world” can mean a literal new continent (geographical discovery) or a metaphorical new realm of knowledge and experience (spiritual discovery). It captures the optimism of the explorer. He refuses to believe that his story is over just because he has grey hair. As long as there is an unknown horizon, there is a “newer world” waiting to be found.
76. By what does Ulysses say he and his men have been made weak?
A) War and peace
B) Travel and rest
C) Love and loss
D) Time and fate
Answer: D) Time and fate
Explanation: Ulysses admits they have been “made weak by time and fate.” This is a moment of brutal honesty. He does not pretend to be young. “Time” has taken their physical strength, muscle, and speed. “Fate” refers to the destiny that all humans must eventually age and die. He acknowledges these external forces that he cannot control. However, the power of the poem comes from the contrast in the next part of the line: “but strong in will.” He accepts that his body is decaying (Time/Fate winning), but he insists that his mind and determination are immune to these forces. It is the triumph of the internal Will over external Reality.
77. Which possible danger does Ulysses calmly accept during the voyage?
A) The gulfs may wash them down
B) They will surely find gold
C) They will conquer new lands
D) They will regain youth
Answer: A) The gulfs may wash them down
Explanation: Ulysses calmly accepts that “the gulfs may wash them down.” A “gulf” here refers to a deep whirlpool or the abyss of the ocean. “Wash them down” means they might drown and their ship might sink. By stating this so plainly, Ulysses shows he is not delusional. He knows the risks. He isn’t promising his men gold or safety; he is promising them adventure with a high chance of death. His willingness to accept drowning (“It may be…”) shows that he values the attempt more than the outcome. He would rather die sinking in a storm than die sleeping in a bed. It illustrates his absolute lack of fear regarding death.
78. What does the phrase “Souls that have toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me” reveal about the crew?
A) They were slaves
B) They were strangers
C) They shared intellectual and physical labour
D) They were rivals
Answer: C) They shared intellectual and physical labour
Explanation: Ulysses praises his crew as souls that have “toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me.” The inclusion of the word “thought” is very significant. It implies that his men were not just brute laborers who followed orders (“toil’d” and “wrought”). They were his intellectual partners. They shared his curiosity, his planning, and his philosophy. This elevates the status of the common sailor. It suggests a democracy of experience—they suffered together and learned together. This shared intellectual history is why he feels such a deep bond with them. They are the only ones who understand his mind, unlike the “savage race” back home who never “thought” with him.
79. What is meant by “the baths of all the western stars”?
A) A hot spring
B) The horizon where stars set into the sea
C) The morning sky
D) A constellation
Answer: B) The horizon where stars set into the sea
Explanation: The “baths of all the western stars” is a poetic image describing the western horizon. When stars set in the west, they appear to dip into the ocean, as if taking a “bath.” Ulysses wants to sail toward this point. Since the stars seem to sink into the water forever, sailing “beyond” them implies sailing into the infinite or the afterlife. It represents the ultimate boundary of the known universe. This imagery reinforces the direction of his journey (West = Death/Unknown) and the cosmic scale of his ambition. He isn’t just sailing to a city; he is sailing into the celestial mechanism of the stars themselves.
80. Despite physical weakness, Ulysses claims they are strong in their:
A) Arms
B) Wealth
C) Numbers
D) Will
Answer: D) WillExplanation: The poem climaxes with the assertion that they are “strong in will.” This is the central theme of the entire work. The Will is the driving force of human existence for Tennyson. Everything else—muscles, eyes, heart, lungs—eventually fails. The body (“the vessel”) breaks down. But the Will is the one thing a human being can control until the very end. Ulysses argues that even a weak, dying old man can still possess a “heroic heart” if his Will is strong enough to keep striving. It is a celebration of human determination. It suggests that you are not defeated when your body fails; you are only defeated when your Will yields.
81. “I will drink life to the lees.” Which poetic device compares life to a drink?
A) Simile
B) Irony
C) Metaphor
D) Oxymoron
Answer: C) Metaphor
Explanation: The phrase “I will drink life to the lees” is a classic example of a Metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by stating that one is the other (or by interacting with one as if it were the other), without using “like” or “as.” Here, Ulysses compares the abstract concept of “Life” to a concrete object: a cup of wine. By saying he will “drink” it, he implies that life is something to be consumed and enjoyed physically. The “lees” are the sediment at the bottom of the wine. If he were using a simile, he would say, “I will live life like I am drinking wine.” By skipping the word “like,” the comparison becomes stronger and more immediate. It suggests an intense, ravenous appetite for existence. He wants to swallow every drop of experience available to him.
82. “To follow knowledge like a sinking star.” Which device is indicated by the word like?
A) Simile
B) Personification
C) Synecdoche
D) Metaphor
Answer: A) Simile
Explanation: The line “To follow knowledge like a sinking star” is a clear example of a Simile. A simile is the easiest poetic device to spot because it explicitly compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” In this line, Ulysses compares his pursuit of “knowledge” to the visual image of a “sinking star” (a star setting below the horizon). This comparison achieves two things. First, it adds a sense of beauty and navigation to his quest. Second, and more importantly, a “sinking” star is moving away from the viewer. This implies that knowledge is elusive; the more you chase it, the further it moves. You can never actually catch a star. This simile perfectly captures the endless, impossible nature of his journey. He is chasing something he can never fully possess, but he chases it anyway.
83. “The deep / Moans round with many voices.” Giving the ocean a human quality is an example of:
A) Alliteration
B) Hyperbole
C) Simile
D) Personification
Answer: D) Personification
Explanation: When Ulysses says, “The deep moans round with many voices,” he is using Personification. Personification gives human qualities, emotions, or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. The “deep” (the ocean) is water; it cannot literally “moan” or have “voices.” Moaning is a human sound associated with pain, sadness, or ghosts. By giving the ocean a voice, Tennyson transforms the sea from a simple body of water into a living, breathing character in the poem. It feels as though the ocean is calling out to Ulysses, urging him to return. It creates a spooky, supernatural atmosphere. The sea isn’t just a place to sail; it is an old friend (or perhaps a dangerous enemy) that is speaking to him in the dark, inviting him to leave the land.
84. “Free hearts, free foreheads—” Using parts of the body to represent the whole crew is called:
A) Metaphor
B) Synecdoche
C) Personification
D) Alliteration
Answer: B) Synecdoche
Explanation: The phrase “Free hearts, free foreheads” is an example of Synecdoche. Synecdoche is a specific type of metaphor where a part of something is used to represent the whole. Here, “hearts” and “foreheads” are body parts, but Ulysses is using them to represent the entire men (his crew). He doesn’t just mean their actual foreheads were free; he means the men were free. Specifically, “hearts” represents their courage and emotions, while “foreheads” represents their minds and intelligence. By focusing on these specific parts, Tennyson emphasizes the qualities he admires most in his crew: their bravery (hearts) and their ability to think and plan (foreheads). It highlights that they were partners in both physical danger and intellectual discovery.
85. “Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’ / Gleams that untravell’d world.” This comparison is a:
A) Paradox
B) Metaphor
C) Simile
D) Pun
Answer: B) Metaphor
Explanation: The line “All experience is an arch” is a powerful Metaphor. It equates “experience” (an abstract concept) with an “arch” or doorway (a physical structure). This creates a visual model for how learning works. Usually, we think of experience as something we collect and store. Ulysses corrects this: experience isn’t a storage room; it’s a gate. When you walk through an arch, you don’t stop; you see a new view on the other side. This metaphor explains why Ulysses can’t settle down. Every time he has a new experience (walks through the arch), the horizon of the “untravell’d world” expands. It explains the infinite nature of his quest. The arch frames the unknown future, tempting him to keep walking forward forever.
86. “And drunk delight of battle with my peers.” The repetition of the d sound is:
A) Alliteration
B) Enjambment
C) Satire
D) Irony
Answer: A) Alliteration
Explanation: The phrase “drunk delight” contains the repetition of the ‘d’ sound at the beginning of the words. This is called Alliteration. Alliteration is used to create rhythm, mood, or emphasis. In this line (“And drunk delight of battle with my peers”), the hard ‘d’ sounds create a strong, percussive beat. It mimics the energy and intensity of the battle he is describing. It makes the line sound forceful and masculine. It also links the two words together concepts: the “delight” was so intense it was like being “drunk.” The sound pattern reinforces the meaning—that war was an intoxicating, overwhelming experience for him. Tennyson was a master of using sound to complement the meaning of his words.
87. “The vessel puffs her sail.” Treating the ship as if it can breathe is an example of:
A) Simile
B) Synecdoche
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole
Answer: C) Personification
Explanation: The line “The vessel puffs her sail” uses Personification. A ship (“the vessel”) is an inanimate object made of wood and canvas. It cannot breathe or “puff.” By saying the ship “puffs” its sail, Tennyson makes the ship seem alive, like a creature taking a deep breath before a race. Furthermore, referring to the ship as “her” is a traditional nautical form of personification (ships are always female in English sailing tradition). This implies a relationship of affection and intimacy between the sailor and his boat. The ship is not just a tool; she is an eager participant in the journey, ready and impatient to leave the harbor, just like Ulysses himself.
88. “Moved earth and heaven.” This exaggeration of power is called:
A) Simile
B) Personification
C) Irony
D) Hyperbole
Answer: D) Hyperbole
Explanation: The phrase “Moved earth and heaven” is an example of Hyperbole. Hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration used for dramatic effect. Ulysses and his men did not literally move the planet Earth or the heavens. However, Ulysses uses this phrase to describe the magnitude of their past deeds (likely referring to the Trojan War). He implies that their actions were so important that they shook the foundations of the world and attracted the attention of the gods. It emphasizes their legendary status. It conveys the feeling of their power rather than the literal scientific fact. He is telling his men, “We were giants once; we mattered.” It is an emotional truth expressed through exaggeration.
89. “To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use.” Comparing himself to a metal object is a:
A) Metaphor
B) Simile
C) Hyperbole
D) Synecdoche
Answer: A) Metaphor
Explanation: The phrase “To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use” is a Metaphor. Ulysses compares himself (a human being) to a metal sword or tool. He does not say “I am like a sword”; the comparison is implied by the words “rust” and “burnish” (polish). Human skin doesn’t rust; metal does. This metaphor perfectly describes his fear of inactivity. A sword that is used in battle stays bright (“shines in use”) because the friction keeps it polished. A sword left in a sheath or on a wall eventually corrodes and becomes useless (“rusts”). Ulysses feels that sitting on the throne in Ithaca is causing his soul to rust. He wants to wear out through hard work (adventure), not rot away in safety.
90. When a sentence continues into the next line without punctuation, it is known as:
A) Rhyme
B) Onomatopoeia
C) Enjambment
D) Stanza
Answer: C) Enjambment
Explanation: Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase runs over from one line of poetry to the next without a punctuation mark (like a comma or period) at the end of the line. For example: “Gleams that untravell’d world, whose margin fades / For ever and forever when I move.” The sentence doesn’t stop at “fades”; it rushes onto the next line. This technique creates a sense of forward motion and restlessness. It forces the reader to keep moving quickly to the next line to find the meaning, just as Ulysses wants to keep moving to the next adventure. It mimics the natural flow of passionate speech and reflects Ulysses’ inability to stop or stand still. The structure of the poem mirrors the personality of the speaker.
91. “Some work of noble note, may yet be done.” The repetition of the n sound shows:
A) Simile
B) Alliteration
C) Metaphor
D) Personification
Answer: B) Alliteration
Explanation: The phrase “noble note” features the repetition of the ‘n’ sound at the beginning of adjacent words. This is Alliteration. Tennyson uses this device to create a musical, dignified tone. The soft, nasal ‘n’ sound slows the line down slightly and gives it a solemn, resonant quality. It highlights the importance of the work Ulysses wants to do. He isn’t looking for just any work; he wants work of “noble note”—something significant and honorable. The alliteration ties these two words together, reinforcing the idea that even in old age, the actions of these men should be worthy of their reputation as heroes.
92. “Souls that have toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me.” Using souls to represent men is:
A) Synecdoche
B) Simile
C) Personification
D) Metaphor
Answer: A) Synecdoche
Explanation: Referring to the crew as “Souls” is an example of Synecdoche. As discussed earlier, synecdoche is using a part to represent the whole. Here, Ulysses identifies his men by their spiritual essence—their “souls”—rather than their bodies. This is significant because their bodies are old and weak, but their souls remain “heroic” and “strong in will.” By calling them “souls,” he strips away the physical decay of old age and focuses on the eternal, enduring part of them. It suggests that their bond is not just a professional one among sailors, but a deep spiritual connection forged through shared suffering and “thought.”
93. “For always roaming with a hungry heart.” Describing desire as hunger is a:
A) Pun
B) Simile
C) Paradox
D) Metaphor
Answer: D) Metaphor
Explanation: Describing the heart as “hungry” is a Metaphor. A heart is a muscle that pumps blood; it cannot literally feel hunger in the way a stomach does. By using this metaphor, Ulysses compares his desire for travel to the physical necessity of eating. It implies that adventure is not a luxury for him, but a survival need. If he stops exploring, he starves spiritually. The metaphor of “hunger” also suggests a craving that is never fully satisfied—no matter how much he eats (experiences), he always wants more. This defines his “insatiable” character.
94. The difference between Ulysses’ adventurous spirit and Telemachus’ cautious nature illustrates:
A) Simile
B) Alliteration
C) Contrast
D) Hyperbole
Answer: C) Contrast
Explanation: The literary device at play between Ulysses and Telemachus is Contrast (or Foil). Tennyson deliberately places these two characters side by side to highlight their differences. Ulysses is the “wild,” restless, and reckless hero; Telemachus is the “mild,” prudent, and safe administrator. By describing Telemachus’s virtues (patience, tenderness, decency), Tennyson sharpens our understanding of Ulysses’ flaws and strengths. We understand Ulysses’ adventurous nature better because we see it clashing with Telemachus’s domestic nature. The contrast shows that while Telemachus is the “good” king for the people, Ulysses is the “great” spirit for the ages.
95. “The rainy Hyades / Vext the dim sea.” Making stars capable of vexing is:
A) Simile
B) Personification
C) Alliteration
D) Irony
Answer: B) Personification
Explanation: The line “The rainy Hyades / Vext the dim sea” uses Personification. “Vext” (vexed) is a human emotion meaning annoyed, frustrated, or agitated. Stars (the Hyades) cannot literally feel annoyance or cause a sea to feel annoyed. By saying the stars “vext” the sea, Tennyson gives the natural world human-like agency. It creates a dramatic image of the storm: the stars look down and torment the ocean, churning it into a frenzy. It makes the universe feel alive and hostile, emphasizing the danger that Ulysses and his crew had to navigate. It elevates the storm from a weather event to a cosmic battle.
96. “To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle.” Using sceptre to stand for royal authority is:
A) Metonymy
B) Personification
C) Alliteration
D) Simile
Answer: A) Metonymy
Explanation: The use of “sceptre” to represent “royal authority” is a classic example of Metonymy. Metonymy is often confused with synecdoche. In synecdoche, you use a physical part of the thing (like “wheels” for a car). In metonymy, you use an object closely associated with the thing (like “the crown” for the King, or “the White House” for the President). A sceptre is not a body part of a king, but it is the physical object he holds that symbolizes his power. When Ulysses leaves the sceptre, he isn’t just leaving a stick; he is leaving the abstract concept of Power and Rule. He is handing over the job itself.
97. “…whose margin fades / For ever and forever when I move.” This comparison is a:
A) Simile
B) Synecdoche
C) Metaphor
D) Personification
Answer: C) Metaphor
Explanation: The phrase “whose margin fades” is a Metaphor. Ulysses compares the horizon of the “untravell’d world” to the “margin” of a page or a map. In reality, the horizon is an optical line, not a physical margin. The metaphor describes the optical illusion of travel: as you move forward, the horizon moves away. It “fades” into the distance. This metaphor captures the elusive nature of knowledge. You can never reach the “end” of the page; the margin keeps moving back, creating more and more space for new text (new experiences). It perfectly illustrates the concept of an infinite journey.
98. “Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.” Appealing to the sense of hearing is:
A) Metaphor
B) Simile
C) Irony
D) Auditory imagery
Answer: D) Auditory imagery
Explanation: The phrase “ringing plains of windy Troy” appeals to the sense of hearing, making it Auditory Imagery. The word “ringing” evokes the specific sharp, metallic sound of bronze swords and shields clashing in battle. It’s not a visual description; it’s a sound description. It transports the reader to the battlefield through noise. Combined with “windy,” it creates a complete sensory experience—you can hear the metal clashing and feel/hear the wind blowing across the open plains. It makes the memory of the Trojan War vivid and immediate, showing why Ulysses misses the sensory intensity of his past life.
99. “The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks.” These lights symbolize:
A) The stars
B) Safety and domestic life
C) War
D) Burning ships
Answer: B) Safety and domestic life
Explanation: The “lights” twinkling from the rocks symbolize safety, domestic life, and the hearth. In literature, a light in the window usually represents a home waiting for a traveler. It represents warmth, family, dinner, and sleep. By positioning these lights on the shore while Ulysses is on the ship, Tennyson creates a visual boundary. The lights are behind him. He is turning away from the warmth of the home (safety) to face the darkness of the sea (danger). The fact that they “twinkle” suggests they are small and distant, emphasizing that Ulysses no longer feels a strong connection to that domestic world. He prefers the dark ocean.
100. In “to sail beyond the sunset,” the sunset symbolizes:
A) Death and the unknown
B) The West
C) Sleep
D) Evening meal
Answer: A) Death and the unknownExplanation: “To sail beyond the sunset” is a powerful symbol for death and the unknown. Since the sun sets in the West, and the West was historically associated with the end of the day and the end of life, “beyond the sunset” represents the afterlife or the final mystery. Ulysses knows he is near the end of his life. He isn’t just sailing to a new location on a map; he is sailing toward his own mortality. He wants to meet death actively, while exploring, rather than waiting for it passively in bed. He treats death not as a full stop, but as just another horizon to cross in his eternal quest for knowledge.
101. What specific literary form does the poem Ulysses follow?
A) An Epic
B) A Soliloquy
C) A Dramatic Monologue
D) A Sonnet
Answer: C) A Dramatic Monologue
Explanation: “Ulysses” is one of the most famous examples of a Dramatic Monologue. This is a specific type of poem where a single speaker (who is not the poet) addresses a silent listener or audience. In this form, the speaker unintentionally reveals his own personality, motives, and character traits through his speech. It is “dramatic” because it feels like a scene from a play, and “monologue” because only one person is talking. Unlike a soliloquy (where a character talks to themselves), a dramatic monologue usually implies an audience. Here, Ulysses is the speaker, and he reveals his dissatisfaction with home and his intense desire for travel. Through his words, we see his heroism but also his selfishness and ego.
102. Which meter is predominantly used in Ulysses?
A) Iambic Pentameter
B) Trochaic Tetrameter
C) Free Verse
D) Anapestic Dimeter
Answer: A) Iambic Pentameter
Explanation: The poem is written in Iambic Pentameter. This is the classic meter of English poetry, famously used by Shakespeare. “Iambic” means the rhythm follows a “da-DUM” pattern (unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable). “Pentameter” means there are five of these “da-DUMs” (or feet) per line. For example: “To STRIVE, to SEEK, to FIND, and NOT to YIELD.” This rhythm is chosen because it closely mimics the natural sound of human speech while still elevating it to something artistic. It makes Ulysses sound dignified, natural, and serious, rather than sing-songy or artificial. It gives the poem a steady, driving heartbeat that matches Ulysses’ own unyielding will.
103. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem Ulysses?
A) ABAB CDCD
B) AABB
C) It has no rhyme scheme (Blank Verse)
D) ABC ABC
Answer: C) It has no rhyme scheme (Blank Verse)
Explanation: The poem has no rhyme scheme, which is known as Blank Verse. Blank Verse is unrhymed iambic pentameter. Tennyson likely chose this because rhyme can sometimes make a poem feel lighter or more structured like a song. By avoiding rhyme, Tennyson makes Ulysses sound like he is having a serious, spontaneous conversation or delivering a powerful speech. Blank Verse is traditionally used for epic subjects (like Milton’s Paradise Lost) and tragedy. It gives Ulysses the “grand style” of an ancient hero. It allows the thoughts to flow freely across the lines (enjambment) without being stopped by the need to find a matching sound at the end of every line.
104. What is the primary physical setting at the opening of the poem?
A) The deck of a ship
B) The battlefield of Troy
C) The royal palace or hearth in Ithaca
D) The Elysian Fields
Answer: C) The royal palace or hearth in Ithaca
Explanation: The physical setting at the start of the poem is the royal palace or hearth in Ithaca. Ulysses mentions the “still hearth” and the “barren crags,” indicating he is at home on his island kingdom. This setting is crucial because it represents everything he hates: stillness, silence, and stagnation. He feels trapped in this domestic space. The physical limitations of the island (surrounded by water) mirror the psychological limitations he feels in his old age. He is a man of the wide open sea who is stuck in a small room with a fire. This contrast between the small, static setting of the palace and the vast, dynamic setting of the ocean drives the conflict of the poem.
105. At what time of day does the final section of the poem take place?
A) Dawn
B) Noon
C) Midnight
D) Twilight (sunset)
Answer: D) Twilight (sunset)
Explanation: The final section of the poem takes place at Twilight (sunset). Ulysses says, “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs.” This time of day is highly symbolic. Twilight is the boundary between day and night, just as Ulysses is standing on the boundary between life and death. He plans to sail “beyond the sunset.” Setting the departure in the evening adds a sense of urgency and melancholy. It suggests that his “day” (his life) is almost over, and he must leave now before total darkness (death) sets in. It creates a mood that is both beautiful and ominous, fitting for a final, one-way voyage.
106. Which major theme is emphasized by the contrast between Ulysses and Telemachus?
A) War vs. Peace
B) Passion/Adventure vs. Duty/Stability
C) Wealth vs. Poverty
D) Youth vs. Age
Answer: B) Passion/Adventure vs. Duty/Stability
Explanation: The contrast between Ulysses and Telemachus highlights the theme of Passion/Adventure vs. Duty/Stability. Ulysses represents the Romantic ideal of the individual who seeks personal fulfillment, danger, and knowledge regardless of the cost. He is driven by passion. Telemachus represents the Victorian ideal of the dutiful public servant who values order, prudence, and social responsibility. He is driven by duty. The poem doesn’t necessarily say one is “right” and the other is “wrong”; it presents them as two necessary halves of human existence. However, the poem’s energy clearly favors the passion of Ulysses. It explores the tension between doing what you should do (stay and rule) and doing what you must do (leave and explore).
107. How would you best describe the diction of Ulysses?
A) Slang and casual
B) Simple and childlike
C) Elevated, archaic, and rhetorical
D) Humorous and satirical
Answer: C) Elevated, archaic, and rhetorical
Explanation: The diction (choice of words) in Ulysses is elevated, archaic, and rhetorical. Tennyson uses words that sound ancient and grand, such as “mete,” “dole,” “wrought,” “smite,” and “unburnish’d.” He avoids modern slang or simple language. This style is deliberate. It makes Ulysses sound like a character from a Greek Epic. It gives him an authoritative, kingly voice. It lifts the poem out of everyday reality and places it in the realm of myth. The rhetorical style—using persuasive speech techniques—is also important because Ulysses is trying to convince his men (and himself) to join him. He speaks like an orator making a grand argument for the value of life.
108. Symbolically, what does the “sunset” represent in the poem?
A) The end of the war
B) The approach of death
C) Celebration
D) The rise of Telemachus
Answer: B) The approach of death
Explanation: Symbolically, the “sunset” represents the approach of death. In literature, the rising sun usually symbolizes birth or new beginnings (East), while the setting sun symbolizes the end of life (West). Ulysses explicitly states he wants to sail “beyond the sunset,” which suggests he is ready to cross the threshold from the world of the living into the world of the dead (or the unknown afterlife). He knows his “day” is waning. However, he doesn’t fear this sunset; he chases it. He frames death not as a stopping point, but as a new horizon to be explored. It transforms the concept of dying from a passive fading away into an active, final adventure.
109. What central idea about old age does the poem convey?
A) Old age is meant for rest
B) Old age brings only weakness
C) Old age does not end purpose or achievement
D) Old age should be feared
Answer: C) Old age does not end purpose or achievement
Explanation: A central idea of the poem is that old age does not end purpose or achievement. Ulysses argues against the Victorian convention that old people should retire and rest. He famously says, “Old age hath yet his honour and his toil.” He believes that even though the body is weak, the mind and spirit can still do “some work of noble note.” He refuses to believe that productivity ends at a certain age. This message is empowering. It suggests that the value of a person is defined by their will to strive, which is something you can possess until the very last moment of life. It redefines old age as a time for a different kind of heroism—the heroism of endurance.
110. Who is the implied or “silent” listener in the poem?
A) The reader alone
B) The gods
C) Not specified, but likely the mariners or the court
D) Telemachus
Answer: C) Not specified, but likely the mariners or the court
Explanation: The listener (auditor) in the poem shifts or is ambiguous. In the first section, Ulysses seems to be speaking to himself (soliloquy). In the second section, he introduces his son, possibly to the court or the gods. In the final section, he explicitly addresses his mariners (“Come, my friends…”). However, since his mariners are dead in the original myth, the listener is technically “not specified” or imaginary. Many scholars view the poem as a speech given to different audiences at different times, or perhaps a speech occurring entirely in Ulysses’ mind. The most widely accepted interpretation of the dramatic form here is that he is addressing his crew (living or ghostly) to rally them for the voyage.
111. What is the main focus of the second structural movement of the poem?
A) Ulysses’ boredom with Ithaca
B) His handing over power to Telemachus
C) His speech to the mariners
D) His memories of Troy
Answer: B) His handing over power to Telemachus
Explanation: The poem is structurally divided into three distinct movements (or paragraphs). The first movement deals with Ulysses’ internal boredom and his dissatisfaction with Ithaca. The second movement (lines 33-43) shifts focus entirely to his son, Telemachus. In this section, Ulysses formally abdicates his throne. He introduces Telemachus to the audience (“This is my son, mine own Telemachus”) and explains why his son is fit to rule. This structural break is necessary because Ulysses cannot morally leave his people without a leader. He must establish a succession plan. This section bridges the gap between his complaints in the beginning and his action (leaving) in the end. It solves the political problem so he can focus on the personal journey.
112. The line “As tho’ to breathe were life!” explores which idea?
A) Fear of suffocation
B) The difference between existence and true living
C) Physical fitness
D) Love of nature
Answer: B) The difference between existence and true living
Explanation: The exclamation “As tho’ to breathe were life!” is a scathing critique of mere biological survival. Ulysses is mocking the idea that just because your heart is beating and your lungs are filling with air, you are “alive.” To him, that is just “existence”—something plants and animals do. True living, in his philosophy, requires consciousness, action, risk, and discovery. He feels that hoarding (“piling”) years of mere breathing is a waste of a human soul. This line encapsulates his existential crisis: he is terrified of becoming a breathing corpse, a man who is technically alive but spiritually dead because he has stopped moving.
113. Why does Tennyson use blank verse in Ulysses?
A) To create the effect of serious, natural speech
B) Due to lack of rhymes
C) To imitate nursery rhymes
D) To aid memorization
Answer: A) To create the effect of serious, natural speech
Explanation: Tennyson chose blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) to make the poem sound like a serious, natural speech. If the poem rhymed (AABB or ABAB), it might sound too musical, light, or artificial, like a song or a nursery rhyme. Ulysses is an old king delivering a final, weighty monologue about life and death. The lack of rhyme allows the sentences to flow more naturally, mimicking the rhythms of a real person thinking aloud or speaking to a crowd. However, the strict meter (iambic pentameter) keeps it dignified and poetic. It strikes the perfect balance between the naturalness of conversation and the grandeur of an epic hero.
114. What does the sea symbolize in the poem?
A) Agriculture and farming
B) Safety and home
C) Freedom, danger, and the unknown
D) Domestic love
Answer: C) Freedom, danger, and the unknown
Explanation: In Ulysses, the sea is the ultimate symbol of freedom, danger, and the unknown. To Ulysses, the land represents safety, boredom, and social rules (“unequal laws”). The sea represents the opposite: it is a place where no laws exist, only the raw forces of nature. It is dangerous (“the deep moans”), but that danger is exactly what makes him feel free. The sea is also the path to the “untravell’d world.” It is the physical manifestation of his desire to escape the limits of human life. It represents the infinite possibility of discovery, in contrast to the finite, closed world of the island.
115. How does the tone of the poem change from beginning to end?
A) Happy to sad
B) Angry to humorous
C) Melancholic/bored to resolute/inspiring
D) Fast to slow
Answer: C) Melancholic/bored to resolute/inspiring
Explanation: The tone of the poem undergoes a dramatic shift. The opening lines are melancholic and bored; Ulysses sounds grumpy, complaining about his “aged wife,” his “barren” island, and his “savage” people. He is bitter and stagnant. However, as he starts talking about his past and his future plans, the energy lifts. By the final section, the tone becomes resolute (determined) and inspiring. The language becomes more rhythmic and powerful (“smite,” “strive,” “seek”). He transforms from a complaining old man into a charismatic leader rallying his troops. The poem effectively charts his emotional journey from depression to motivation.
116. What does the “arch” symbolize in the line “All experience is an arch”?
A) A link to the past
B) A doorway to limitless future knowledge
C) A monument of victory
D) The entrance to a palace
Answer: B) A doorway to limitless future knowledge
Explanation: The “arch” is a symbol of limitless future knowledge. As explained earlier, Ulysses views experience not as a container that is full, but as a doorway (arch) that you walk through. The view through an arch is framed but open. The “untravell’d world” gleams through it. This symbol effectively visualizes the concept of infinity. No matter how far you travel, there is always more world to see through the next arch. It represents the idea that education and discovery are never finished. For Ulysses, the “arch” is the invitation to keep going, promising that there are always new things to learn if you are brave enough to step through.
117. The message “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” celebrates:
A) Human resilience and strength of will
B) The glory of war
C) Acceptance of death
D) Youthful wisdom
Answer: A) Human resilience and strength of will
Explanation: The famous line “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” is the ultimate celebration of human resilience. It is a list of active verbs. “Strive” means to struggle against difficulty; “Seek” means to look for something new; “Find” implies success in discovery; “Not to yield” means refusing to surrender to failure or death. It captures the essence of the Victorian “stiff upper lip”—the determination to keep going no matter how bad things get. It admits that humans are weak (“made weak by time”), but asserts that our Will can overcome physical limitations. It is a timeless statement of defiance against the inevitable end.
118. Words such as “wrought,” “mete,” and “smite” mainly serve to:
A) Confuse readers
B) Create a modern tone
C) Evoke an ancient, epic authority
D) Add humor
Answer: C) Evoke an ancient, epic authority
Explanation: Words like “wrought” (worked/created), “mete” (measure), and “smite” (hit/strike) are archaic—they were old-fashioned even when Tennyson wrote the poem in the 1830s. He used them deliberately to evoke an ancient, epic authority. He wanted Ulysses to sound like a character from the Bible or Homer’s Odyssey, not like a modern Victorian gentleman. This “biblical” or “epic” diction gives the poem a sense of weight and timelessness. It makes Ulysses sound larger than life. If he used modern words like “worked” or “hit,” the poem would lose its majestic, legendary flavor. The language transports the reader back to the age of heroes.
119. What is the structural purpose of the final line of the poem?
A) To create suspense
B) To summarize the theme of unyielding determination
C) To introduce a new character
D) To answer a question from the opening
Answer: B) To summarize the theme of unyielding determination
Explanation: The final line serves a specific structural purpose: it acts as a summary of the poem’s central theme. The entire poem is an argument about why an old man should keep moving. The last line punches this message home with a rhythmic, memorable slogan. It resolves the conflict. Ulysses has debated with himself, abdicated his throne, and rallied his men. Now, in the final line, he states his final intention. There is no ambiguity left. The poem ends on a high note of unyielding determination, leaving the reader with the lingering image of a man pushing forward against the odds. It seals the poem’s message of spiritual victory.
120. “I am a part of all that I have met.” What philosophical idea does this line express?
A) He has lost his identity in society
B) He owns everything he has seen
C) His identity is shaped by the sum of his experiences
D) He is only a fragment of his former self
Answer: C) His identity is shaped by the sum of his experiencesExplanation: The line “I am a part of all that I have met” expresses the philosophical idea that identity is cumulative. Ulysses is saying that he is not just a static individual; he is a mosaic made up of every person, city, war, and storm he has encountered. Every experience has left a mark on him and changed who he is. Conversely, he has left a part of himself in all those places. It highlights the interconnectedness of the traveler and the world. He cannot separate himself from his past because his past is what constructed his current self. It explains why he cannot stay in Ithaca—he is a creature made of travel, so to stop traveling is to lose his identity.
121. In the line “It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,” what is Ulysses referring to?
A) The islands of Ithaca
B) The British Isles
C) The Elysian Fields (Greek afterlife for heroes)
D) The Canary Islands
Answer: C) The Elysian Fields (Greek afterlife for heroes)
Explanation: The “Happy Isles” (or Insulae Fortunatae) is a direct reference to the Elysian Fields in Greek mythology. Unlike the Christian concept of Heaven which is spiritual, the Elysian Fields were a physical place—usually islands located at the extreme western edge of the earth, beyond the sunset. It was the final resting place reserved specifically for the souls of the virtuous and the heroic. By saying, “It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,” Ulysses is acknowledging that his voyage is a journey toward death. However, he views this death not as an end, but as a potential reunion. He hopes to be reunited with the “great Achilles,” his comrade from the Trojan War. This transforms his suicide mission into a hopeful pilgrimage to the resting place of heroes.
122. Which of the following lines is an example of synecdoche?
A) “The vessel puffs her sail”
B) “Free hearts, free foreheads”
C) “To follow knowledge like a sinking star”
D) “The deep moans round with many voices”
Answer: B) “Free hearts, free foreheads”
Explanation: This line is a textbook example of Synecdoche, a figure of speech where a part of something is used to represent the whole. Ulysses refers to his crew members not as “men” or “sailors,” but as “hearts” and “foreheads.” These specific body parts are chosen carefully. The “heart” represents their courage, emotional depth, and spirit. The “forehead” represents their intellect, pride, and ability to think freely (they hold their heads high). By using these parts to stand in for the whole men, Ulysses emphasizes the specific qualities he values in them. He isn’t praising their muscles or their obedience; he is praising their brave spirits and their free minds. It highlights the deep respect he has for their internal character.
123. “To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!” This metaphor compares Ulysses to:
A) A shield or sword
B) A crown
C) A ship
D) A plough
Answer: A) A shield or sword
Explanation: The metaphor “To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!” compares Ulysses to a piece of metal armor or weaponry, such as a sword or shield. In ancient times, metal tools had to be used and polished (“burnished”) constantly to prevent them from corroding. A sword that sits on a wall unused will eventually be eaten away by rust. Ulysses applies this physical process to his own soul. He believes that staying home and doing nothing is causing his spirit to “rust.” He feels that he is deteriorating from inactivity. He wants to “shine in use”—meaning he wants to wear himself out through action, battle, and travel. He would rather be a worn-down, shiny sword that broke in battle than a pristine, rusty sword that never left the sheath.
124. What does the word “margin” mean in the line “whose margin fades / For ever and forever when I move”?
A) The edge of a book
B) The border of a kingdom
C) The horizon
D) The sea shore
Answer: C) The horizon
Explanation: In this beautiful metaphor (“whose margin fades / For ever and forever when I move”), the “margin” refers to the horizon. Imagine a page of a book: the margin is the edge where the writing stops. Now imagine standing on a ship: the horizon looks like the “edge” or margin of the world. However, this edge is an optical illusion. As you sail toward the horizon, it moves away from you. You can never reach it. Ulysses uses this geometric fact to explain his thirst for knowledge. The “untravell’d world” is everything beyond that horizon. No matter how much he learns (moves forward), the margin of the unknown fades back, revealing even more to learn. It represents the infinite nature of the quest for knowledge.
125. “Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will.” This line contrasts:
A) Life and death
B) Physical weakness and spiritual strength
C) Humanity and divinity
D) Youth and old age
Answer: B) Physical weakness and spiritual strength
Explanation: The line “Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will” is built on a powerful contrast between the body and the spirit. On one side, Ulysses admits the brutal reality of aging: “Time and fate” have physically degraded him and his crew. They are old, slow, and near death. These are external forces they cannot control. On the other side is the “Will,” which is internal and completely under their control. The contrast asserts that physical weakness does not excuse spiritual surrender. You can have a dying body and yet possess an unconquerable spirit. This is the core message of the poem: heroism isn’t about having big muscles (which fade); it’s about having a will that refuses to yield.
126. Written after the death of Arthur Hallam, Ulysses is closely linked with which other poem by Tennyson?
A) The Lady of Shalott
B) The Charge of the Light Brigade
C) In Memoriam A.H.H.
D) Crossing the Bar
Answer: C) In Memoriam A.H.H.
Explanation: Ulysses and In Memoriam A.H.H. are spiritually linked because they were both born from the same tragedy: the sudden death of Tennyson’s best friend, Arthur Henry Hallam, in 1833. While In Memoriam is a long, mournful elegy that took 17 years to complete and details the slow process of grieving, Ulysses was written almost immediately after the death. Ulysses represents the active, defiant side of Tennyson’s grief—the part of him that said, “I must keep living and working despite this pain.” In Memoriam represents the depressive, contemplative side. Together, they form a complete picture of how the poet processed the greatest loss of his life. Ulysses is often seen as the “courageous postscript” to the sorrow of In Memoriam.
127. “The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks.” What do these “lights” symbolize?
A) Guiding stars
B) Domestic life and safety left behind
C) Enemy signal fires
D) The souls of the dead
Answer: B) Domestic life and safety left behind
Explanation: The “lights” that “begin to twinkle from the rocks” symbolize the domestic life, safety, and home that Ulysses is abandoning. As his ship moves away from the harbor in the evening, the small lamps in the cottages of Ithaca become visible. These lights represent warmth, family dinners, sleep, and the “common duties” of normal people. By placing these lights behind him, Tennyson creates a visual representation of Ulysses’ choice. The lights are inviting and pretty (“twinkle”), but they are static. Ulysses chooses to turn his back on these comforting lights to face the dark, “moaning” ocean. It emphasizes that he is voluntarily rejecting comfort in favor of the dangerous unknown.
128. By referring to his wife as “aged,” what aspect of Ulysses’ mindset is emphasized?
A) Deep affection for shared old age
B) Emotional distance from domestic stability
C) Anxiety about her health
D) Blame for his dissatisfaction
Answer: B) Emotional distance from domestic stability
Explanation: Referring to Penelope simply as his “aged wife” emphasizes Ulysses’ emotional distance from the domestic life she represents. It is a cold, objective description. He does not use terms of endearment like “beloved” or “my heart.” By focusing on her age, he mirrors his own decay, but implies that she has accepted her role as an old woman by the hearth, while he refuses to accept his role as an old man. She fits into the “still hearth” and “barren crags,” whereas he feels out of place. It suggests that their connection has faded over the years. He respects her, but he no longer feels that his soul is anchored to hers. She belongs to the home; he belongs to the sea.
129. In “I will drink life to the lees,” what does “lees” mean?
A) The finest part of wine
B) The dregs or sediment at the bottom
C) The froth on top
D) The cup itself
Answer: B) The dregs or sediment at the bottom
Explanation: The word “lees” refers to the sediment or dregs that settle at the bottom of a barrel or bottle of wine. In winemaking, the “lees” are the dead yeast cells and grape particles. To “drink to the lees” means to tilt the cup back and drain it completely, swallowing even the bitter, muddy sludge at the bottom. Metaphorically, Ulysses wants to consume every drop of life. He doesn’t just want the sweet, clear wine at the top (youth, happiness, easy victories). He wants the full human experience, including the pain, the struggle, and the aging (the lees). It signifies an appetite for life that is total and absolute. He refuses to leave any part of his existence untasted.
130. The poem is written in blank verse. What does this indicate?
A) Rhyme without meter
B) No rhyme and no meter
C) Unrhymed iambic pentameter
D) Rhyming couplets
Answer: C) Unrhymed iambic pentameter
Explanation: The poem is written in Blank Verse, which is technically defined as unrhymed iambic pentameter. This means each line generally has ten syllables with an alternating unstressed/stressed rhythm (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM), but the ends of the lines do not rhyme. Tennyson uses this form because it creates a tone of dignified, natural speech. Rhyme can sometimes make a poem feel artificial or song-like. Blank verse allows Ulysses to sound like a real person thinking aloud or delivering a serious speech to his men. It gives the poet the freedom to use enjambment (running sentences across lines) to mimic the flow of Ulysses’ restless thoughts, while the meter keeps the poem grounded in a steady, heroic heartbeat.
131. “To follow knowledge like a sinking star.” This figure of speech is a:
A) Metaphor
B) Personification
C) Simile
D) Hyperbole
Answer: C) Simile
Explanation: The line “To follow knowledge like a sinking star” is a classic example of a Simile. A simile is a figure of speech that explicitly compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” In this line, Ulysses compares his pursuit of knowledge to the act of chasing a star that is setting (sinking) below the horizon. This image is incredibly powerful for two reasons. First, a star is beautiful and guiding, representing the high value of knowledge. Second, a “sinking” star is moving away from the viewer. As you sail toward it, it dips lower and lower until it vanishes. This implies that absolute knowledge is impossible to catch; it is an endless pursuit. The simile perfectly captures the essence of Ulysses’ quest: the goal is not to “catch” the star, but to spend one’s life chasing it.
132. Who are the “savage race” mentioned by Ulysses?
A) The Trojans
B) The gods
C) His own subjects in Ithaca
D) His sailors
Answer: C) His own subjects in Ithaca
Explanation: Ulysses refers to the people he rules as a “savage race.” This term refers to his own subjects in Ithaca, not enemies or monsters. This harsh description reveals Ulysses’ deep sense of alienation. He has returned from the Trojan War and years of travel as a changed man—sophisticated, philosophical, and worldly. In contrast, his subjects have remained simple farmers and shepherds. He calls them “savage” not because they are violent, but because they are culturally primitive compared to him. They only care about “hoarding, sleeping, and feeding.” They cannot understand his complex mind or his desire for adventure. It highlights the tragedy of the leader who has outgrown his own kingdom and feels alone in a crowd of his own people.
133. In the line “Death closes all: but something ere the end…,” what does “ere” mean?
A) After
B) During
C) Because
D) Before
Answer: D) Before
Explanation: The word “ere” is an archaic (old-fashioned) poetic word that means “before.” When Ulysses says, “Death closes all: but something ere the end, / Some work of noble note, may yet be done,” he is saying: “Death ends everything, but before the end, we can still do something great.” This single word emphasizes the urgency of the poem. Ulysses knows that death (“the end”) is inevitable and approaching fast. However, he refuses to just wait for it. He wants to squeeze in one last “noble” achievement before the curtain falls. The use of “ere” adds to the elevated, formal tone of the poem, fitting for a serious speech about mortality and legacy.
134. In the poem, how does the “Sea” contrast with the “Hearth”?
A) Chaos vs. order
B) Freedom and action vs. safety and stagnation
C) Death vs. life
D) Cold vs. warmth
Answer: B) Freedom and action vs. safety and stagnation
Explanation: The contrast between the “Sea” and the “Hearth” creates the central tension of the poem. The Hearth (the fireplace in the palace) symbolizes domestic life, safety, warmth, and stagnation. It is where Penelope sits; it is where the “savage race” sleeps. It represents a life of staying still. The Sea (“the deep”) symbolizes the opposite: freedom, action, danger, and the unknown. The sea is dynamic; it moves, it “moans,” and it leads to new worlds. Ulysses feels trapped by the Hearth and liberated by the Sea. To stay by the Hearth is to “rust”; to sail the Sea is to “shine.” The poem is essentially his decision to abandon the safety of the Hearth for the perilous freedom of the Sea.
135. Why is the destination “beyond the sunset” significant in Greek belief?
A) It marks the site of Troy
B) It was thought to be the world’s edge or entrance to the underworld
C) It was the dwelling of the sun god
D) It was a trade route
Answer: B) It was thought to be the world’s edge or entrance to the underworld
Explanation: In ancient Greek cosmology, the world was often viewed as a flat disk surrounded by the river Oceanus. The sun set in the West, marking the end of the day and the boundary of the living world. The region “beyond the sunset” was mysterious and terrifying. It was believed to be the edge of the world or the entrance to Hades (the Underworld). By stating his intention to “sail beyond the sunset,” Ulysses is declaring his willingness to sail off the map. He is consciously heading toward the realm of death and the supernatural. He isn’t just taking a trade route to a neighboring city; he is embarking on a transcendental journey to find out what lies past the limits of human existence, even if it means dying in the attempt.
