Question

How does Alfred, Lord Tennyson characterize Ulysses in his poem? In what ways does this characterization reflect Victorian ideals?

Answer 1

Tennyson's characterization is a bit different from the Homeric vision. Traditional texts present Ulysses as character which seeks freedom. A character whose final destination is his home in Ithaca.

Answer 2

Ulysses is characterized as an older man in search of adventure and does not like the idea of a simple life, he yearns for a challenge. This can reflect Victorian ideas because Ulysses character is in search of knowledge and new experiences, which were widely popular topics of that era.