Exploring Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses”: Lessons in Heroism and the Pursuit of Adventure for the Classroom

Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses” offers a captivating glimpse into the mind of the legendary Greek hero as he reflects on his past adventures and contemplates his desire for new challenges. With its stirring language and timeless themes of courage, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of adventure, “Ulysses” provides valuable insights for students as they explore the complexities of the human spirit and the quest for meaning and fulfillment. Here are some inspiring lessons and online resources to guide your exploration of Tennyson’s poem with your students:

1. Contextual Understanding: Begin by providing students with context about Alfred Lord Tennyson’s life and the historical context in which “Ulysses” was written. Discuss Tennyson’s role as the Poet Laureate of England and his fascination with mythology and epic storytelling.

2. Close Reading: Dive into a close reading of “Ulysses,” examining Tennyson’s use of language, imagery, and poetic devices to convey his message. Encourage students to analyze the structure of the poem, including its rhythmic flow and the significance of its monologue form, and discuss the meaning of each stanza in relation to the poem as a whole.

3. Exploring Themes: Engage students in discussions about the themes of heroism, wanderlust, and the search for purpose that permeate “Ulysses.” Encourage them to reflect on Ulysses’ longing for adventure and his restless spirit, and how it resonates with their own aspirations and dreams.

4. Character Analysis: Encourage students to delve into the character of Ulysses and explore his motivations, strengths, and flaws. Discuss the complexities of heroism and leadership as portrayed in the poem, and how Ulysses’ journey reflects the universal human quest for self-discovery and fulfillment.

5. Creative Response: Provide opportunities for students to respond creatively to “Ulysses” through writing, art, or performance. Invite them to write journal entries from Ulysses’ perspective, create visual representations of his adventures, or stage dramatic readings of key passages from the poem.

Online Resources:

• “Ulysses” Full Text: Read the full text of the poem on the Poetry Foundation website – Access the complete text of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem along with additional background information and analysis.
• Analysis of “Ulysses” by SparkNotes: SparkNotes Analysis of “Ulysses” – Explore a detailed analysis of “Ulysses” by SparkNotes, including themes, motifs, and literary devices used by Alfred Lord Tennyson in the poem.
• Alfred Lord Tennyson Biography: Poetry Foundation – Learn more about the life and works of Alfred Lord Tennyson, including his contributions to literature and his impact on Victorian poetry.

By incorporating Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses” into your classroom curriculum, you can inspire students to contemplate the timeless themes of heroism, adventure, and the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment. Let Tennyson’s stirring words be a source of reflection and inspiration as students embark on their own journey of self-discovery and exploration.

Online Resources For Teaching Poetry in the Classroom:

• Poetry Foundation (poetryfoundation.org)
• Academy of American Poets (poets.org)
• Scholastic Poetry Resources (scholastic.com/teachers/genres/poetry)
• ReadWriteThink Poetry Resources (readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/grade/k-12/genre-115)

This is part of my National Poetry Month resources for the classroom. Be sure to check out some of my other resources here.