Comparing Ulysses with Not My Best Side

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Comparing Ulysses with Not My Best Side

Tennyson's poem, 'Ulysses', explores many different aspects of death.

It addresses the issues of growing old and coping with challenges in

later life. Ulysses is a single developed monologue, in comparison

'Not my Best Side' is a three part monologue all intersecting and

converging on each other.

Tennyson's choice of the title 'Ulysses' arouses curiosity as he

chooses the Latin translation for the name as opposed to the Greek.

The poems message reflects the Victorian ethics and the Homeric era.

The poem is based on Ulysses return to his home on the island of

Ithaca. On his return he is disappointed to abandon battle as he,

"cannot rest from travel"

Tennyson astounds the reader by breaking down their stereotypical

thoughts of Ulysses, as being a strong, heroic, and fair character.

Instead, he installs the idea of a bitter Ulysses, one which is,

"Match'd with an aged wife,"

This thought shocks the reader. Tennyson goes on to say that Ulysses

is an,

"idle king"

Tennyson also explains that the character Ulysses will,

"drink / life to the lees

This gives an adventurous and heroic sense to Ulysses, but is short

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