Ulysses
BY ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON
It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Match’d with an aged wife, I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees: All times I have enjoy’d
Greatly, have suffer’d greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when
Thro’ scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vext the dim sea: I am become a name;
For always roaming with a hungry heart
Much have I seen and known; cities of men
And manners, climates, councils, governments,
Myself not least, but honour’d of them all;
And drunk delight of battle with my peers,
Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.
I am a part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’
Gleams that untravell’d world whose margin fades
For ever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!
As tho’ to breathe were life! Life piled on life
Were all too little, and of one to me
Little remains: but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it were
For some three suns to store and hoard myself,
And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,—
Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfil
This labour, by slow prudence to make mild
A rugged people, and thro’ soft degrees
Subdue them to the useful and the good.
Most blameless is he, centred in the sphere
Of common duties, decent not to fail
In offices of tenderness, and pay
Meet adoration to my household gods,
When I am gone. He works his work, I mine.
There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail:
There gloom the dark, broad seas. My mariners,
Souls that have toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me—
That ever with a frolic welcome took
The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;
Death closes all: but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.
The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
‘T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Word- Notes
Stanza 1
- Mete: To distribute or apportion something, usually in a measured or limited way.
- Dole: To give out or distribute, especially in small portions.
- Savage: In this context, referring to a primitive or uncivilized group of people.
- Hoard: To accumulate or store large quantities of something, often with the intention of keeping it for oneself.
- Lees: The sediment or residue left after a liquid, particularly wine, has been fermented or clarified.
- Scudding: Moving swiftly and smoothly, usually with reference to clouds or other objects in motion.
- Hyades: In Greek mythology, the Hyades were a group of nymphs associated with rain.
- Vext: An archaic form of the word “vexed,” meaning to irritate, annoy, or disturb.
- Councils: Here, it refers to deliberative assemblies or governing bodies.
- Delight of battle: The enjoyment or exhilaration derived from engaging in combat or warfare.
- Peers: Equals or companions who share a similar status or rank.
- Ringing plains: Open, expansive areas that resound with the echoes or sounds of battle.
- Arch: In this context, a structure or framework that spans or connects various experiences.
- Wherethro’: An archaic contraction of “through which.”
- Gleams: Shining or glowing lights or reflections.
- Untravell’d: Not yet explored or experienced.
- Margin: The outer edge or boundary of something.
- Rust unburnish’d: Not polished or kept in good condition, losing its luster.
- Shine in use: To be active, productive, or useful.
- Yearning: A strong and intense desire or longing.
- Sinking star: A star that is disappearing below the horizon, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge beyond conventional limits.
- Utmost bound: The farthest or outermost limit.
- Human thought: The realm or scope of what humans can conceive or comprehend.
Stanza 2
- Discerning: Having good judgment, being able to distinguish and recognize what is right or of value.
- Prudence: Careful and cautious in conduct, exercising good judgment and wisdom.
- Rugged: Rough, harsh, or difficult, often used to describe terrain or people.
- Subdue: To bring under control or conquer, to overcome resistance or opposition.
- Blameless: Free from fault or guilt, without blame.
- Decent: Characterized by conformity to accepted standards of morality or modesty, appropriate.
- Tenderness: Showing affection, care, or gentleness.
- Adoration: Deep love, respect, or reverence.
- Household gods: Deities or religious objects worshipped within a household, often associated with protection and prosperity.
Stanza 3
- Puffs: In this context, it means to emit puffs or gusts of air. It refers to the action of the vessel filling its sails with wind to move forward.
- Gloom: It means darkness or a state of partial or total obscurity. Here, it describes the appearance of the dark and broad seas, creating a somber atmosphere.
- Mariners: It refers to sailors or seafarers. In the passage, it specifically refers to the speaker’s companions and crew members.
- Frolic: It means playful or merry. The phrase “with a frolic welcome took” suggests that the mariners enthusiastically embraced both the challenges (thunder) and the joys (sunshine) they encountered during their voyages.
- Toil: It means laborious work or effort. The mariners are portrayed as souls who have toiled, worked hard, and engaged in thoughtful endeavors together with the speaker.
- Ere: It is an archaic term that means before or prior to. The phrase “something ere the end” implies that there might be an opportunity to accomplish a notable task before death.
- Twinkle: It means to shine or sparkle intermittently. The lights are described as twinkling from the rocks, indicating the onset of evening and the presence of distant sources of light.
- Wanes: It means diminishes or decreases. The phrase “the long day wanes” suggests that the day is coming to an end and gradually losing its brightness.
- Smite: It means strike forcefully. The speaker urges the mariners to sit well in order and forcefully strike the sounding furrows, emphasizing their determination and purpose.
- Baths: In this context, it refers to the waters or realms. The phrase “sail beyond the sunset, and the baths of all the western stars” suggests the speaker’s desire to explore and venture to distant realms beyond the known world.
- Gulfs: It refers to deep, wide gaps or chasms, often associated with the sea or ocean. The speaker acknowledges the possibility that the treacherous waters could engulf or submerge their ship.
Explanation of the poem ‘Ulysses’ by Alfred Tennyson
“It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Matched with an aged wife, I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race.”
In these lines, Ulysses expresses his dissatisfaction with being a king who is no longer active and engaged in the world. He finds little value in ruling a kingdom and living a sedentary life. The mention of the “still hearth” and “barren crags” represents the lack of excitement and adventure in his current situation. Ulysses also highlights his frustration with his domestic life, particularly his aged wife. He feels constrained by his responsibilities as a ruler and considers his people to be uncivilized or “savage” due to their unequal treatment under his laws.
“That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees: all times I have enjoyed
Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those”
Ulysses laments the ignorance and contentment of his subjects, who are focused on accumulating wealth, indulging in comfort, and are unaware of his true nature and desires. He asserts his relentless yearning for exploration and adventure, stating that he cannot find peace or satisfaction in staying still. He resolves to experience life to the fullest, embracing both the joys and hardships that come with it. Ulysses acknowledges that throughout his life, he has had moments of great enjoyment and immense suffering.
“That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when
Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vexed the dim sea: I am become a name;
For always roaming with a hungry heart”
Ulysses reminisces about the loyal companions who stood by his side during perilous times, emphasizing his love for them. He reflects on sailing on rough seas during stormy weather when even the constellations (Hyades) seemed disturbed. Ulysses realizes that he has achieved legendary status and has become a name known to many, often associated with his constant wanderings. His heart is depicted as forever longing for new experiences, restless and eager to continue his adventurous journey.
“Much have I seen and known; cities of men
And manners, climates, councils, governments,
Myself not least, but honored of them all;
And drunk delight of battle with my peers,”
Ulysses reflects on his extensive travels and the wealth of experiences he has gathered. He has witnessed different cities, observed various customs, encountered diverse climates, and engaged in political discussions and governance. He acknowledges that he, too, has played a significant role among those he encountered, gaining respect and recognition. The phrase “drunk delight of battle” signifies his enjoyment and fulfillment in engaging in combat alongside his fellow warriors.
“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough
Gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades
Forever and forever when I move.”
In these lines, Ulysses encapsulates his unwavering spirit and determination. He declares his resolve to continue striving, seeking, and exploring without ever surrendering. Ulysses sees life as an arch, representing the culmination of his experiences and adventures. Through these experiences, he catches glimpses of an unexplored world, a realm of possibilities and discovery. However, he acknowledges that this untraveled world remains forever on the horizon, fading away as he moves forward, always just out of reach.
“How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!
As though to breathe were life. Life piled on life
Were all too little, and of one to me”
Ulysses expresses his disdain for idleness and the thought of settling down. He finds it dull and uninspiring to pause, to bring his adventurous journey to a conclusion, and to remain inactive. He uses the metaphor of rusting unburnished to describe the loss of vibrancy and purpose that comes with inactivity. Ulysses believes that to truly live is to be actively engaged and utilized, as if breathing itself were synonymous with life. He craves a life filled with constant challenges and experiences, declaring that even a multitude of lifetimes would not be enough to satisfy his thirst for exploration.
“Little remains: but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it were
For some three suns to store and hoard myself,”
Ulysses reflects on the limited time he has left and the urgency to make the most of every moment. He views each passing hour as a precious resource, saving him from the ultimate silence of death. He anticipates that every hour holds the potential for something new, a bringer of fresh experiences and opportunities. Ulysses finds the idea of hoarding and storing himself away for even a few sunrises abhorrent, as it would mean denying himself the chance to continue his adventurous pursuits.
“And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
Ulysses describes the inner longing of his aging spirit, a yearning for knowledge and discovery that burns within him. He compares his desire to follow knowledge to a sinking star, emphasizing its elusive and fleeting nature. Ulysses seeks to transcend the limits of human understanding, aspiring to venture into realms of knowledge that surpass the boundaries of conventional thought. He then introduces his son, Telemachus, acknowledging their shared spirit and adventurous disposition. Telemachus is an extension of Ulysses’ own aspirations and represents the continuation of his legacy.
“This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle—
Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfill
This labor, by slow prudence to make mild
A rugged people, and through soft degrees”
Ulysses reveals his intention to pass on the sceptre (symbolizing kingship) and the isle (representing his kingdom) to his son, Telemachus. He expresses his love for his son and recognizes Telemachus as someone who possesses understanding and discernment. Ulysses believes that Telemachus has the capability to carry out the responsibilities of ruling the kingdom and fulfilling the labour of governing. This labour involves employing cautious and wise measures to temper the rough nature of the people, gradually guiding them towards a more civilized and gentle state.
“Subdue them to the useful and the good.
Most blameless is he, centered in the sphere
Of common duties, decent not to fail
In offices of tenderness, and pay”
Ulysses emphasizes the importance of subduing the people under Telemachus’ rule to what is useful and good. He praises his son, describing him as blameless and well-balanced in his understanding of common duties. Telemachus is portrayed as someone who upholds societal responsibilities with decency and reliability. Ulysses encourages his son to be diligent in carrying out acts of tenderness and compassion towards others.
“Meet adoration to my household gods,
When I am gone. He works his work, I mine.
There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail;
There gloom the dark, broad seas. My mariners,”
Ulysses instructs Telemachus to pay appropriate reverence to the household gods after his departure. He acknowledges that both he and Telemachus have their respective tasks to fulfill. Ulysses envisions his own journey as a separate endeavor from his son’s responsibilities as ruler. He points out the destination, the port where his vessel awaits, ready to set sail. The description of the dark and expansive seas hints at the unknown and challenging nature of the journey ahead.
“Souls that have toiled, and wrought, and thought with me—
That ever with a frolic welcome took
The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old;”
Ulysses reflects on the companionship he has shared with his fellow sailors, who have laboured, worked, and contemplated alongside him throughout their journey. He describes them as souls who always greeted the challenges of life with joy and enthusiasm, whether they were faced with tumultuous storms or radiant moments of sunshine. Ulysses appreciates their willingness to stand against obstacles with free-spirited hearts and unburdened minds. Finally, he acknowledges that both he and his companions have aged, recognizing the passage of time and the accumulation of experience.
“Old age hath yet his honor and his toil;
Death closes all; but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with gods.”
In these lines, Ulysses reflects on the significance of old age, acknowledging that it still carries honour and the potential for meaningful endeavors. He recognizes that death is inevitable and will eventually bring an end to all things. However, before reaching the end of life’s journey, Ulysses believes that there is an opportunity to accomplish a work of noble significance. He asserts that such a task is fitting for individuals who have striven and contended with gods, indicating the courage and determination required to face formidable challenges.
“The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks;
The long day wanes; the slow moon climbs; the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.”
Ulysses observes the approaching evening as the lights twinkle from the rocks, signifying the onset of darkness. The day is drawing to a close as the moon gradually ascends in the sky. Ulysses depicts the sea as emitting a melancholic sound, echoing with the voices of many. In this context, he addresses his companions as friends, urging them to seize the opportunity. He believes that it is not too late to embark on a journey to explore a newer world, emphasizing the enduring spirit of adventure and the possibility of new discoveries.
“Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.”
Ulysses commands his companions to push off from the shore and take their positions in the boat, ready to strike the waves with well-coordinated strokes. He declares that his resolve remains steadfast and unwavering. His purpose is to sail beyond the realm of the known, pursuing a voyage that will extend beyond the setting sun and the celestial baths of the western stars. Ulysses vows to continue this odyssey until the day of his death, implying his determination to pursue his adventurous spirit until his last breath.
“It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though”
Ulysses acknowledges the risks and uncertainties that lie ahead in uncharted waters. There is a possibility that treacherous waves might overwhelm and engulf them. However, he also entertains the hope that they may reach the mythical Happy Isles, where they will have the chance to encounter the legendary figure of Achilles, the great hero of Greek mythology. Ulysses recognizes that they have suffered losses and faced adversity throughout their lives. Yet, he emphasizes that despite the challenges and hardships, much remains and endures, inspiring them to press forward.
“Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are—
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
In these lines, Ulysses reflects on the accomplishments and triumphs of his past. He acknowledges that what they have achieved, both individually and collectively, has left a profound impact on the world. He asserts that they are who they are, unapologetic and unyielding, possessing a shared spirit characterized by unwavering determination and heroism. Ulysses acknowledges that time and fate have weakened their physical strength, but their will remains resolute and unshakeable. They are committed to striving, seeking new experiences, finding meaning, and refusing to surrender.
Figures of Speech in the poem ‘Ulysses’
Consonance refers to the repetition of consonant sounds within a single line of poetry. An example of this can be found in the line, “This is my son, mine own Telemachus,” where the /n/ sound is repeated.
Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds in a line. For instance, in the line “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep,” the /a/ sound is repeated.
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in quick succession within a line. A good example of this is seen in the line “Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old,” where the /f/ sound is repeated.
Enjambment occurs when a thought or idea in poetry extends beyond a line break and carries over into the next line. A clear illustration of this can be found in the following lines:
"And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought."
Imagery is a literary technique that appeals to the senses and helps readers visualize and experience the poet’s words. Examples of imagery include phrases such as “The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed,” “That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me,” and “To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths.”
Personification is when human qualities or characteristics are attributed to inanimate objects. For instance, in the line “For always roaming with a hungry heart,” the poet personifies the heart as if it can experience hunger.
Metaphor is a figure of speech that involves comparing two different objects or ideas. A metaphor is implied rather than directly stated. An example of a metaphor can be found in the line “How dull it is to pause, to make an end; To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use.” Here, the poet compares himself to a dull and lifeless surface. ” roaming with a hungry heart,” “And drunk delight of battle with my peers.”
Anticlimax: The line, “That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me”, is an anticlimax. Here, the ideas get arranged in descending order of importance. It heightens the verbal effect of the speaker on the audience.
Antithesis is seen in the phrases in juxtaposition, “enjoy’d greatly” and “suffer’d greatly”.
Onomatopoeia is seen in the line “Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.”
Epigram is a concise, clever, and often witty statement that conveys a deeper meaning or insight in a brief and memorable way. Examples: “To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!”, “Old age hath yet his honour and his toil”, and “It is not too late to seek a newer world.”
Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human qualities to non-human entities or abstract concepts. For instance, when Ulysses says, “Death closes all,” he personifies death as an active force that brings closure.
Simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as”. For example, ” To follow knowledge like a sinking star”.
MCQs & Answers from Ulysses by Tennyson
1. The poem Ulysses is composed by
(a)John Milton
(b)Arthur Hugh Clough
(c)Ulysses
(d)Tennyson
Answer: (d) Tennyson
2. The hero in Tennyson’s poem ‘Ulysses’ is
(a)Samson
(b)Jacques
(c) Ulysses
(d)Achilles
Answer: (c) Ulysses
3. Ulysses was a hero of …….. mythology.
(a)Chinese
(b)Greek
(c)Communist
(d)Jewish
Answer: (b) Greek
4. Ulysses is written in a…….form.
(a)Sonnet
(b)Ballad
(c) Epic
(d) Blank Verse
Answer: (d) Blank verse
5. My mariners,……. that have toiled and wrought and thought with me:
(a)People
(b)Souls
(c)Angels
(d) Devils
Answer: (b) Souls
6. ———hath his honour and his toil”.
(a)Young age
(b)Middle age
(c) Old age
(d)Innocent age
Answer: (c) old age
7……. closes all; but something are the end”.
(a) Life
(b)End
(c)Death
(d)Beginning
Answer: (c) Death
8. “Not ——– men that strove with gods”
(a)Unfasting
(b)Unsatisfied
(c) Unfaithful
(d) Unbecoming
Answer: (d) Unbecoming
9. “The —— begin to twinkle from the rocks”.
(a) Sun
(b) Lights
(c) Star
(d) Moon
Answer: (b) Lights
10. ” The long day…….., the slow moon climbs.”
(a) ends
(b) wanes
(c) finishes
(d) turns
Answer: (b) wanes
11. The speaker describes himself as an ______ king.
a) active
b) idle
c) powerful
d) wise
Answer: b) idle
12. The king is matched with a(n) ______ wife.
a) young
b) aged
c) loving
d) loyal
Answer: b) aged
13. The laws given to the savage race are described as ______.
a) fair
b) unequal
c) just
d) merciful
Answer: b) unequal
14. The savage race hoards, sleeps, feeds, and ______.
a) fears
b) respects
c) obeys
d) does not recognize the king
Answer: d) does not recognize the king
15. The speaker cannot rest from ______.
a) work
b) sleep
c) travel
d) ruling
Answer: c) travel
16. The speaker has enjoyed and suffered greatly ______.
a) on the throne
b) with his wife
c) during battles
d) throughout his travels
Answer: d) throughout his travels
17. The speaker has seen and known ______.
a) only cities of men
b) only climates and councils
c) only governments
d) a variety of things, including cities, manners, climates, and governments
Answer: d) a variety of things, including cities, manners, climates, and governments
18. The speaker has delighted in battles fought ______.
a) on the sea
b) on the plains of Troy
c) with his peers
d) in the cities of men
Answer: b) on the plains of Troy
19. The speaker feels he is a part of ______.
a) the savage race
b) his wife
c) all the people he has met
d) his own kingdom
Answer: c) all the people he has met
20. The speaker describes all his experiences as an arch through which ______.
a) he can see the fading margin of an untraveled world
b) he gains knowledge of the world
c) he finds eternal silence
d) he becomes a name
Answer: a) he can see the fading margin of an untraveled world
21. The speaker finds it dull to ______.
a) pause and rest
b) travel and explore
c) meet new people
d) shine in use
Answer: a) pause and rest
22. The speaker compares breathing to ______.
a) life
b) rusting
c) shining
d) pausing
Answer: a) life
23. The speaker believes that life piled on life is ______.
a) a waste
b) not enough
c) overwhelming
d) fulfilling
Answer: b) not enough
24. The speaker has little time remaining and desires to ______.
a) store and hoard himself
b) follow knowledge like a sinking star
c) rule his kingdom
d) explore the world
Answer: b) follow knowledge like a sinking star
25. The speaker’s spirit is described as ______.
a) gray and yearning
b) vibrant and content
c) restless and impatient
d) wise and knowledgeable
Answer: a) gray and yearning
26. The speaker wishes to follow knowledge beyond ______.
a) human thought
b) Troy
c) the sea
d) the realm of the known
Answer: a) human thought
27. The untraveled world is described as ______.
a) eternal and silent
b) vibrant and colorful
c) unknown and limitless
d) dim and fading
Answer: c) unknown and limitless
28. The speaker believes it would be vile to store and hoard himself for ______.
a) eternity
b) three suns
c) a lifetime
d) a fleeting moment
Answer: b) three suns
29. The speaker’s gray spirit yearns in desire to follow knowledge like a sinking star beyond the utmost bound of ______.
a) human understanding
b) human imagination
c) human capability
d) human thought
Answer: d) human thought
29. The speaker is leaving the sceptre and the isle to ______.
a) his wife
b) his son
c) his trusted advisor
d) his loyal subjects
Answer: b) his son
30. The speaker describes his son as ______.
a) well-loved and discerning
b) ambitious and ruthless
c) indifferent and careless
d) inexperienced and naive
Answer: a) well-loved and discerning
31. The son is tasked with making the rugged people ______.
a) fierce and powerful
b) submissive and obedient
c) mild and gentle
d) prosperous and wealthy
Answer: c) mild and gentle
32. The son is advised to subdue the people ______.
a) quickly and forcefully
b) through harsh measures
c) by slow prudence and soft degrees
d) without considering their well-being
Answer: c) by slow prudence and soft degrees
33. The son is praised for being ______.
a) centred in common duties
b) ambitious and daring
c) rebellious and disobedient
d) indifferent to responsibilities
Answer: a) centred in common duties
34. The son is expected to fulfill ______.
a) the speaker’s ambitions
b) the household duties
c) his own desires
d) the wishes of the people
Answer: b) the household duties
35. The speaker emphasizes the importance of showing ______.
a) adoration to household gods
b) loyalty to the ruler
c) obedience to laws
d) respect to the mariners
Answer: a) adoration to household gods
36. The speaker describes his son’s work as ______.
a) tedious and monotonous
b) fulfilling and rewarding
c) challenging and exhausting
d) unimportant and trivial
Answer: b) fulfilling and rewarding
37. The speaker sees the port and the vessel ______.
a) with excitement and anticipation
b) with fear and anxiety
c) as a symbol of freedom
d) as a reminder of his own mortality
Answer: d) as a reminder of his own mortality
38. The mariners are described as souls that have ______.
a) labored and toiled
b) abandoned the speaker
c) rebelled and disobeyed
d) fallen into despair
Answer: a) labored and toiled
39. “It may be that the gulfs will wash us _______:”
a) away
b) out
c) off
d) down
Answer: d) down
40. “It may be we shall touch the Happy _______.”
a) Isles
b) Lands
c) Shores
d) Beaches
Answer: a) Isles
41. “And see the great ______, whom we knew.”
a) Achilles
b) Hercules
c) Zeus
d) Odysseus
Answer: a) Achilles
42. “Tho’ much is taken, much _______; and tho'”
a) remains
b) abides
c) endures
d) persists
Answer: b) abides
43. “We are not now that strength which in old days Moved ______ and heaven,”
a) sea
b) land
c) earth
d) sky
Answer: c) earth
44. “That which we are, we are; One equal temper of ______ hearts,”
a) brave
b) noble
c) heroic
d) valiant
Answer: c) heroic
44. “Made weak by time and fate, but strong in ______”
a) spirit
b) resolve
c) determination
d) will
Answer: d) will
45. “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to ______.”
a) surrender
b) yield
c) retreat
d) give up
Answer: b) yield
46. “That ever with a frolic welcome _______”
a) embraced
b) took
c) accepted
d) received
Answer: b) took
47. “The _______ and the sunshine, and opposed”
a) rain
b) thunder
c) lightning
d) storm
Answer: b) thunder
48. “Free hearts, free _______—you and I are old;”
a) minds
b) souls
c) spirits
d) foreheads
Answer: d) foreheads
49. “_______ all: but something ere the end,”
a) Time lifts
b) Life renews
c) Death erases
d) Death closes
Answer: d) Death closes
50. “The _______ day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep”
a) bright
b) endless
c) tiresome
d) long
Answer: d) long
51. “Moans round with many _______.”
a) whispers
b) cries
c) voices
d) echoes
Answer: c) voices
52. “_______, my friends, ‘T is not too late to seek a newer world.”
a) Stand up
b) Come
c) Gather around
d) Come by
Answer: b) Come
53. “_______ well in order smite”
a) Standing
b) Arranged
c) Organized
d) Sitting
Answer: d) Sitting
54. “To sail beyond the sunset, and the _______”
a) horizons
b) galaxies
c) constellations
d) baths
Answer: d) baths
55. “Of all the western stars, until I _______.”
a) rest
b) sleep
c) perish
d) die
Answer: d) die
