In Tennyson's poem titled 'Ulysses', how does Ulysses feel about his homeland ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Ulysses in Tennyson's poem is thoroughly discontented and yearns to travel and explore again, making Option 3 the correct answer. The entire poem revolves around Ulysses's restlessness and dissatisfaction with a life of ease and domesticity after his long years of adventure. He explicitly states his feeling of being idle and useless, saying "How dull it is to pause, to make an end, / To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!" This clearly demonstrates his discontent with staying in Ithaca. He feels stifled by the routine of ruling and longs for the excitement and challenges of exploration. He wants to "drink life to the lees," implying a desire for intense experiences that he cannot find at home. His famous line, "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield," encapsulates his unwavering desire for adventure and his rejection of a settled life.

Now, let's examine why the other options are incorrect:

*   **Option 1: He is content in ruling his people after being away for a long time.** This is incorrect because the poem directly contradicts this. Ulysses expresses boredom and frustration with his current role as a ruler. He sees it as a monotonous task that prevents him from pursuing his true passion for exploration.

*   **Option 2: He doesn't like the manner in which his son Telemachus has ruled the land in his absence.** While Ulysses acknowledges Telemachus's capability to rule ("He works his work, I mine."), the poem's focus is not on Ulysses's dissatisfaction with Telemachus's rule. Instead, it's about Ulysses's own internal desire for adventure, regardless of how well Telemachus is ruling. The poem doesn't suggest any animosity or disapproval towards Telemachus's leadership.

*   **Option 4: He reveres his homeland and is happy to be reunited with his wife, son and his people.** While Ulysses likely cares for his family and people, the poem emphasizes his overwhelming desire for further exploration over domestic bliss. The poem's central theme is his discontent with a settled life, making this option incorrect. His longing for adventure overshadows any contentment he might feel about being home.