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Classical Elements In John Tennyson's Ulysses

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Classical elements refer to ancient beliefs inspired by natural observation of the phases of matter; with the classical elements: earth is equivalent to solid, water is equivalent to liquid, air is equivalent to gas and fire is equivalent to plasma. Historians trace the evolution of modern theory pertaining to the chemical elements, as well as chemical compounds and mixtures of natural substances to medieval, and Greek models.
"Ulysses" details Ulysses' intense dissatisfaction and boredom on his island home of Ithaca. The poem is a monologue spoken by him, where he not only expresses his discontent, but also describes his desire to keep sailing. He's getting older and doesn't have a lot of time left, so he wants to get busy living rather than …show more content…

However, Tennyson wants to drink life to the 'lees'. 'Lees' refers to the grosser part of the liquid that has settled at the bottom. The poet implies that he gracefully welcomes old age with all the trials and tribulations it has to offer. All the elements in this poem are taken from Greek mythology. The poet expresses his feelings through the character of Ulysses which is itself the major classical element. The environments, events and the adventures are closely associated with classical elements.
Tennyson found much inspiration in the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome. Tennyson lived during a period of great scientific advancement, and he used his poetry to work out the conflict between religious faith and scientific discoveries. Much of his verse was based on classical mythological themes, such as Ulysses.
In "Ulysses", Tennyson uses the ancient voices and choices of Ulysses and his men to explore commitment to ideals and duty, inevitability and stasis, death wishes, and dualism. The character of Ulysses (in Greek, Odysseus) has explored widely in literature. The adventures of Odysseus were first recorded in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey (c. 800–700 BC), and Tennyson draws on Homer's narrative in the

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