Samacheer Kalvi solutions for English Class 12 TN Board chapter 4.2 - Ulysses [Latest edition]

Introduction

The poem ‘Ulysses’ is a dramatic monologue that contains 70 lines of blank verse. Ulysses, the King of Ithaca, gathers his men together to prepare for the journey and exhorts them not to waste their time left on earth. Ulysses has grown old, having experienced many adventures at the battle of Troy and in the seas. After returning to Ithaca, he desires to embark upon his next voyage. His inquisitive spirit is always looking forward to more and more of such adventures.

Complete the summary of the poem, choosing words from the list given below. Lines 1 to 32

Ulysses is (1) ______to discharge his duties as a (2) ______, as he longs for (3) ______. He is filled with an (4) ______thirst for (5) ______and wishes to live life to the (6) ______. He has travelled far and wide gaining (7) _______ of various places, cultures, men and (8) ______. He recalls with delight his experience at the battle of Troy. Enriched by his (9) ______he longs for more and his quest seems endless. Like metal which would (10) ______if unused, life without adventure is meaningless. According to him living is not merely (11) ______to stay alive. Though old but zestful, Ulysses looks at every hour as a bringer of new things and yearns to follow knowledge even if it is (12)______.

Complete the summary of the poem, choosing words from the list given below. Lines 33 to 42

Ulysses desires to hand over his (1) ______to his son Telemachus, who would fulfil his duties towards his subjects with care and (2) ______. Telemachus possesses patience and has the will to civilise the citizens of Ithaca in a (3) ______way. Ulysses is happy that his son would do his work blamelessly and he would pursue his (4) ______for travel and knowledge.

Complete the summary of the poem, choosing words from the list given below. Lines 44 to 70

Ulysses beckons his sailors to (1) ______at the port where the ship is ready to sail. His companions who have faced both (2) ______and sunshine with a smile, are united by their undying spirit of adventure. Though death would end everything, Ulysses urges his companions to join him and sail beyond the sunset and seek a newer (3) ______, regardless of consequences. These brave hearts who had once moved (4) ______ and earth, may have grown old and weak physically but their spirit is young and (5) ______. His call is an inspiration for all those who seek true knowledge and strive to lead (6) ______ lives.

‘Ulysses is not happy to perform his duties as a king.’ Why?

What does he think of the people of his kingdom?

What has Ulysses gained from his travel experiences?

Pick out the lines which convey that his quest for travel is unending.

‘As tho’ to breathe were life!’ – From the given line what do you understand of Ulysses’ attitude to life?

What does Ulysses yearn for?

Who does the speaker address in the second part?

Why did Ulysses want to hand over the kingdom to his son?

How would Telemachus transform the subjects?

‘He works his work, I mine’ – How is the work distinguished?

In what ways were Ulysses and his mariners alike?

What could be the possible outcomes of their travel?

Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.

Thro’ scudding drifts the rainy Hyades Vext the dim sea...

Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.

For always roaming with a hungry heart

Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.

And drunk delight of battle with my peers;

Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.

.....the deep Moans round with many voices.

Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.

To follow knowledge like a sinking star.

Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.

There lies the port the vessel puffs her sail

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

… I mete and dole

Unequal laws unto a savage race,

That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and

know not me.

1. What does Ulysses do?
2. Did he enjoy what he was doing? Give reasons.

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough

Gleams that untravelled world, whose margin fades

For ever and for ever when I move

1. What is experience compared to?
2. How do the lines convey that the experience is endless?

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

Little remains: but every hour is saved

From that eternal silence, something more,

A bringer of new things; and vile it were

1. How is every hour important to Ulysses?
2. What does the term ‘Little remains’ convey?

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

This is my son, mine own Telemachus,

To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle Well-loved of me,

1. Who does Ulysses entrust his kingdom to, in his absence?
2. Bring out the significance of the ‘sceptre’.

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

That ever with a frolic welcome took

The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed

1. What do ‘thunder’ and ‘sunshine’ refer to?
2. What do we infer about the attitude of the sailors?

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

Death closes all: but something ere the end,

Some work of noble note, may yet be done,

Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.

1. The above lines convey the undying spirit of Ulysses. Explain.
2. Pick out the words in alliteration in the above lines.

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

……for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die.

1. What was Ulysses’ purpose in life?
2. How long would his venture last?

Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

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.

1. Though made weak by time and fate, the hearts are heroic. Explain.
2. Pick out the words in alliteration in the above lines.

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

I cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees:

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

I am become a name; For always roaming with a hungry heart

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

How dull it is to pause, to make an end,

To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

To follow knowledge like a sinking star,

Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

He works his work, I mine.

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

....you and I are old;

Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs:

the deep Moans round with many voices.

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,

And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven;

Explain with reference to the context the following line.

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

What makes Ulysses seek newer adventures?

List the roles and responsibilities Ulysses assigns to his son Telemachus, while he is away.

What is Ulysses’ clarion call to his sailors? How does he inspire them?

Listen to the poem and fill in the blanks with appropriate words and phrases. If required, listen to the poem again

Wander-thirst

BEYOND the East the sunrise, beyond the West the sea, And East and West the wander-thirst that will not let me be; It works in me like madness, dear, to bid me say good-bye; For the seas call, and the stars call, and oh! the call of the sky!

I know not where the white road runs, nor what the blue hills are; But a man can have the sun for a friend, and for his guide a star; And there’s no end of voyaging when once the voice is heard, For the rivers call, and the roads call, and oh! the call of the bird!

Yonder the long horizon lies, and there by night and day The old ships draw to home again, the young ships sail away; And come I may, but go I must, and, if men ask you why, You may put the blame on the stars and the sun and the white road and the sky.

Choose the best option and complete the sentences.

1. ______ works like madness in the poet.

1. Wander – Thirst
2. Bidding Farewell
3. Eastern Sunrise
4. Western Seas

2. A man could choose ______ as his guide.

1. the sun
2. the hills
3. a star
4. a bird

3. There is no end of ______once the voice is heard.

1. walking
2. roaming
3. talking
4. voyaging

4. The old ships return, while the young ships ______.

1. drift
2. move
3. sail
4. wander

5. The blame is on the sun, stars, the road and the ______.

1. hills
2. trees
3. seas
4. sky