Previous

Homer, Iliad

The speaker of Tennyson’s poem was first made famous by Homer’s epic poem of the Trojan War, where Ulysses is known by his Greek name, Odysseus.

Homer, Odyssey

The Odyssey takes its title from its hero: Odysseus, known by the Romans as Ulysses. This poem traces the tumultuous ten years after the Trojan War, during which Odysseus faced numerous obstacles and delays while trying to sail home to Ithaca. It is this poem that most powerfully showcases the nimble intelligence of Odysseus as he maneuvers around traps set for him by gods and demigods. These are the kinds of adventures the speaker of Tennyson’s poem wishes to relive.

Dante, Inferno

Dante famously features Ulysses in the Inferno. In canto 26 of that work, Ulysses gives an account of his final voyage and death to the poet, who is accompanied by his guide, Virgil. According to Dante’s poem, Ulysses has been consigned to hell for masterminding the duplicitous plot of the Trojan Horse during the Greek war with Troy.

Robert Browning, “Porphyria’s Lover”

Tennyson’s poem is a dramatic monologue, which is a form that was arguably perfected by his contemporary, Robert Browning. “Porphyria’s Lover” offers a useful counterpoint for what a Victorian dramatic monologue looks like.

James Joyce, Ulysses

Joyce’s 1920 novel famously reimagines Homer’s Odyssey as taking place within a single day in early-twentieth-century Dublin. In Joyce’s comic revision, the part of Ulysses is played by a somewhat bumbling man named Leopold Bloom. As an example of how this legendary character has continued to inspire writers, Ulysses is a must.

Previous section Historical and Literary Context

Take a Study Break