4. What is the main theme of Ulysses?
a) The inevitability of death
b) The yearning for adventure and purpose
c) The struggles of old age
d) The joys of domestic life
5. What is Ulysses' attitude towards his life as a king in Ithaca?
a) He finds it fulfilling and peaceful.
b) He feels restless and bored.
c) He is content and enjoys ruling his people.
d) He is determined to expand his kingdom.
6. What phrase does Ulysses use to describe his people in Ithaca?
a) "Savage race"
b) "Noble race"
c) "Faithful followers"
d) "Adventurous souls"
7. How does Ulysses describe his subjects in Ithaca?
a) Loyal and noble
b) Savage and ignorant
c) Weak and helpless
d) Brave and adventurous
8. Why does Ulysses describe his people as a “savage race”?
a) They are uncivilized and ignorant.
b) They are unworthy of his rule.
c) They lack the adventurous spirit he values.
d) They are hostile towards him.
9. Which line in the poem reflects Ulysses’ desire for adventure and exploration?
a) “I mete and dole unequal laws unto a savage race.”
b) “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
c) “This is my son, mine own Telemachus.”
d) “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs.”
10. What does Ulysses compare himself to in the poem?
a) A rusty sword
b) A caged bird
c) A ship lost at sea
d) A lion
11. What motivates Ulysses to leave Ithaca and sail again?
a) The pursuit of wealth and power
b) A desire to escape his responsibilities
c) A yearning for new experiences and knowledge
d) Revenge against his enemies
12. What does Ulysses say about death in the poem?
a) It should be faced with courage and dignity.
b) It is a tragic end to life.
c) It can be avoided through adventure.
d) It is irrelevant to those who seek knowledge.
13. What does Ulysses mean by the phrase “It little profits that an idle king”?
a) A king gains nothing from idleness.
b) A king should enjoy the comforts of life.
c) A king should always stay at home.
d) A king should rule with strict discipline.
14. Which line suggests Ulysses’ dissatisfaction with a life of inactivity?
a) “Matched with an aged wife, I mete and dole.”
b) “Life piled on life were all too little.”
c) “As though to breathe were life.”
d) “How dull it is to pause, to make an end.”
15. What does Ulysses mean by “I am a part of all that I have met”?
a) His identity is shaped by his past experiences.
b) He feels disconnected from his past adventures.
c) He regrets the mistakes of his past.
d) He sees himself as separate from others.
16. What does Ulysses refer to as “the Happy Isles”?
a) A mythical destination of eternal rest
b) The islands of Ithaca
c) A metaphor for personal fulfilment
d) The lands he has conquered
17. What is the tone of Ulysses?
a) Defeated and mournful
b) Joyful and celebratory
c) Determined and inspirational
d) Reflective and nostalgic
18. Ulysses’ famous declaration “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” reflects which of the following?
a) His resignation to the inevitability of old age
b) His determination to live life fully despite challenges
c) His belief in the power of fate
d) His desire to return to Ithaca
19. In Ulysses, what does the phrase “the ringing plains of windy Troy” signify?
a) The peace and stillness of Troy
b) Ulysses’ nostalgic memory of the Trojan War
c) The desolation of Troy after the war
d) The harshness of life at sea
20. What is Ulysses’ opinion of his “aged wife” in the poem?
a) He respects her wisdom.
b) He finds her companionship fulfilling.
c) He views her with indifference.
d) He resents her for his lack of freedom.
21. What does Ulysses mean by the line “Life piled on life were all too little”?
a) He regrets his past decisions.
b) He feels life is too short to achieve everything.
c) He wishes for a simpler life.
d) He believes in reincarnation.
22. Ulysses refers to himself and his companions as “One equal temper of heroic hearts.” What does this imply?
a) They share the same courage and resolve.
b) They are equals in age and experience.
c) They are indifferent to heroism.
d) They are united by their loyalty to Ithaca.
23. What does Ulysses mean when he says, “To follow knowledge like a sinking star”?
a) He seeks knowledge even if it is unattainable.
b) He wants to avoid the pursuit of knowledge.
c) He believes knowledge is fleeting.
d) He wishes to explore the mysteries of the cosmos.
24. In the poem, what is Ulysses' view of death?
a) It is a great adventure.
b) It is to be feared and avoided.
c) It is an unnatural end.
d) It should be embraced passively.
25. "And this gray spirit yearning in desire"... Here "this gray spirit" refers to:
a. Ulysses himself
b. Death
c. Limitation of human action
d. None of the above
26. What does Ulysses refer to as “this gray spirit yearning in desire”?
a) His old age limiting his ambitions
b) His soul longing for exploration and adventure
c) His desire for eternal youth
d) His nostalgia for the past
27. How does Ulysses describe old age in the poem?
a) As a time for rest and peace
b) As a period of inactivity and decay
c) As a phase of continuous striving
d) As a reward for past achievements
28. What does the “untraveled world” symbolize for Ulysses?
a) A source of fear and uncertainty
b) New opportunities and unknown experiences
c) A metaphor for the afterlife
d) A longing for his homecoming
29. In which literary period was Ulysses written?
a) Romantic
b) Victorian
c) Modernist
d) Renaissance
30. How does Ulysses describe his past adventures?
a) As dull and uneventful
b) As noble and inspiring
c) As difficult and tragic
d) As ordinary and mundane
31. Which mythical figure serves as the central character in Ulysses?
a) Hercules
b) Ulysses (Odysseus)
c) Achilles
d) Prometheus
32. What does Ulysses believe about his own potential in the face of old age?
a) It is diminished and irrelevant.
b) It can still lead to meaningful endeavours.
c) It has been fulfilled entirely.
d) It is wasted on mundane duties.
33. The line “Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will” reflects Ulysses' belief in what?
a) The inevitability of human weakness
b) The power of the human spirit to endure
c) The futility of resisting fate
d) The strength of his physical abilities
34. What does the phrase “the quiet life” symbolize in Ulysses?
a) Peace and contentment
b) Rest after a life of hard work
c) Boredom and lack of adventure
d) The rewards of kingship
35. What does Ulysses mean by “Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’ / Gleams that untravel’d world”?
a) Experience limits one’s potential.
b) Experience opens doors to new adventures.
c) Experience is a barrier to exploration.
d) Experience only reflects the past.
36. Which quality does Ulysses admire most in his mariners?
a) Loyalty and obedience
b) Their willingness to follow him into danger
c) Their strength and youth
d) Their ability to adapt to change
37. What does Ulysses imply by “To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use”?
a) A tool (or person) loses value when unused.
b) Aging gracefully requires no effort.
c) Retirement is a peaceful state.
d) Life is meaningless without responsibilities.
38. Which line best expresses Ulysses' refusal to succumb to old age?
a) “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs.”
b) “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
c) “I cannot rest from travel.”
d) “There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail.”
39. In Ulysses, how does the speaker view his previous adventures?
a) As the most fulfilling part of his life
b) As a waste of time and energy
c) As something he wishes to forget
d) As unimportant compared to his current role
40. What does Ulysses mean by “the lights begin to twinkle from the rocks”?
a) The fading of daylight
b) The arrival of ships
c) A metaphor for his fading youth
d) The peaceful nature of Ithaca
41. The line “Old age hath yet his honour and his toil” suggests that Ulysses believes:
a) Aging is a time of rest and peace.
b) Old age brings both dignity and continued effort.
c) Aging is a burden and without value.
d) Old age offers little to those who once lived boldly.
42. What does Ulysses consider the “noblest toil” in life?
a) Ruling his people
b) Facing challenges and seeking adventure
c) Honouring his family legacy
d) Living peacefully in old age
43. What is the significance of the phrase “Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods”?
a) Ulysses and his mariners have divine qualities.
b) They are mortals who lived lives of heroic courage.
c) They aim to surpass the power of gods.
d) They regret their defiance of the gods.
44. Which literary device is most evident in the line “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs”?
a) Simile
b) Imagery
c) Hyperbole
d) Alliteration
45. What does Ulysses imply when he says, “Death closes all; but something ere the end”?
a) Life is meaningless because of death.
b) People should strive to achieve something before they die.
c) Death marks the beginning of a new journey.
d) Death should not be feared.
46. What does the sea symbolize in Ulysses?
a) The dangers of the unknown
b) A desire for freedom and adventure
c) A barrier between Ulysses and his people
d) A peaceful resting place
47. Why does Ulysses say, “Some work of noble note, may yet be done”?
a) He believes his life is incomplete without further accomplishments.
b) He wants to prove his worth to the people of Ithaca.
c) He feels Telemachus cannot succeed without his guidance.
d) He desires to reclaim his youth.
48. Who does Ulysses plan to leave the responsibilities of ruling Ithaca to?
a) His wife, Penelope
b) His son, Telemachus
c) His sailors
d) A council of elders
49. What qualities does Ulysses attribute to Telemachus?
a) Strength and bravery
b) Wisdom and patience
c) Ambition and curiosity
d) Loyalty and adventurousness
50. In Ulysses, what does the phrase “There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail” indicate?
a) Ulysses' readiness to embark on a new journey
b) A metaphor for his acceptance of death
c) His longing to remain in Ithaca
d) The arrival of foreign traders
51. What is Ulysses' tone when he describes his people as a "savage race"?
a) Respectful
b) Critical and dismissive
c) Grateful
d) Envious
52. What literary device is used in the line “To rust unburnished, not to shine in use”?
a) Metaphor
b) Hyperbole
c) Simile
d) Personification
53. Ulysses refers to his mariners as:
a) Faithful servants
b) Adventurous souls
c) Fellow travellers with heroic hearts
d) Warriors of Ithaca
54. What does Ulysses mean by “We are not now that strength which in old days / Moved earth and heaven”?
a) He regrets his lost youth and strength.
b) He acknowledges the limitations of old age.
c) He believes his achievements are insignificant.
d) He wishes to relive his past glory.
55. What does Ulysses describe as his “unquenched thirst”?
a) His desire for immortality
b) His longing for knowledge and adventure
c) His wish to expand his kingdom
d) His love for his family
56. How does Ulysses describe his experiences of travel and exploration?
a) As monotonous and repetitive
b) As enriching and enlightening
c) As dangerous and regretful
d) As a means to escape responsibility
57. What does the “Happy Isles” symbolize in the poem?
a) The afterlife or paradise
b) Ithaca’s neighbouring islands
c) A place of rest for sailors
d) The Greek islands of myth
58. What does the line “Come, my friends, / 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world” signify?
a) A desire to start fresh and explore the unknown
b) An admission of defeat in Ithaca
c) A longing to reconnect with his youth
d) A farewell to his family
59. How does Ulysses portray his past battles and achievements?
a) As insignificant in the grand scheme of life
b) As the pinnacle of his existence
c) As stepping stones to future greatness
d) As burdens he wishes to forget
60. What does Ulysses suggest about the nature of heroism in the poem?
a) It fades with age.
b) It is rooted in constant striving and adventure.
c) It is defined by ruling one’s kingdom.
d) It is achieved through personal sacrifice.
61. Why does Ulysses want to leave Ithaca?
a) To relive his past adventures
b) To escape his responsibilities as king
c) To pursue a sense of purpose and discovery
d) To find immortality
62. Which characteristic best describes Ulysses in the poem?
a) Resigned and nostalgic
b) Restless and ambitious
c) Content and wise
d) Regretful and apologetic
63. What does Ulysses believe is the most important aspect of life?
a) Conquering lands
b) Seeking knowledge and adventure
c) Ruling with fairness
d) Leaving a legacy for one’s family
64. What is the speaker in "Ulysses" longing for?
a) A peaceful and quiet retirement
b) New adventures and experiences
c) The comfort of his family
d) Forgiveness for past mistakes
65. What is the significance of the "far-off lands" mentioned in the poem?
a) They represent a lost love.
b) They symbolize the speaker's regrets.
c) They represent the unknown and the call for continued exploration.
d) They represent the speaker's yearning for death.
66. What does Ulysses compare himself to when he talks about rusting?
a) A forgotten hero
b) A sword that is not used
c) A ship lost at sea
d) A tree shedding its leaves
67. Why does Ulysses feel dissatisfied with ruling Ithaca?
a) He finds the people too intelligent.
b) He believes ruling is boring and unfulfilling.
c) He thinks his son is a better ruler
d) He enjoys ruling but desires more power
68. What does Ulysses mean by "Life piled on life"?
a) He wishes to live multiple lives to experience everything
b) He feels burdened by the weight of life
c) He regrets the life he has lived.
d) He wants to focus only on his past.
69. How does Ulysses view old age?
a) As a time for peace and rest
b) As a chance to reflect on his past
c) As a time for continued adventure and purpose
d) As a sign of weakness and regret
70. What does Ulysses call his fellow mariners?
a) Friends who have suffered with him
b) Brave soldiers of Ithaca
c) The future rulers of his land
d) Strangers who do not understand his desires
71. What is the significance of the "Happy Isles" in the poem?
a) They represent Ithaca's peaceful lands.
b) They symbolize the afterlife or eternal peace.
c) They are a place Ulysses wishes to conquer.
d) They refer to the past battles Ulysses fought.
72. What does Ulysses mean by "Death closes all"?
a) Death is the end, but life should be lived fully before it comes.
b) He fears death and wants to avoid it.
c) Death erases all memories and accomplishments.
d) He believes death is more powerful than human will.
73. What does the "arch" in the poem symbolize?
a) The end of Ulysses' Journey
b) A gateway to new experiences and knowledge
c) The burdens of old age
d) The rule of Ithaca
74. What does Ulysses say about his past experiences?
a) They have made him tired and unwilling to continue
b) They are meaningless now that he is old.
c) They have shaped him and left him longing for more.
d) He regrets many of them.
75. What does Ulysses mean by "Some work of noble note may yet be done?
a) He still believes he can achieve something great.
b) He wants his son to carry on his legacy
c) He wishes to rebuild Ithaca,
d) He is unsure about his future.
76. Why does Ulysses describe his people as a savage race?
a) They lack adventure and understanding
b) They are physically aggressive and violent.
c) They have abandoned him as their king
d) They refuse to obey his commands.
77. What is Ulysses final resolution in the poem?
a) To remain in Ithaca and support his son
b) To set sail once more in search of adventure
c) To retire peacefully with his wife
d) To build a grand palace in Ithaca
78. What does Ulysses mean by "for my purpose holds / To sail beyond the sunset"?
a) He is determined to continue exploring despite his age.
b) He wants to find a new place to rule.
c) He seeks a peaceful retirement away from Ithaca.
d) He is looking for a hidden treasure
79. How does Ulysses contrast himself with his son, Telemachus?
a) Ulysses is adventurous, while Telemachus is dutiful and patient
b) Ulysses is strong, while Telemachus is weak.
c) Ulysses is fearful while Telemachus is brave.
d) Ulysses is wise, while Telemachus is foolish.
80. What is the central theme of Ulysses?
a) The importance of duty over adventure
b) The desire for knowledge and exploration despite aging
c) The fear of death and regret
d) The burden of ruling a kingdom
81. What is Ulysses' position in Ithaca?
a) A warrior
b) A king
C) A sailor
d) A philosopher
82. Who is Ulysses wife?
a) Helen
b) Calypso
c) Circe
d) Penelope
83. Who is Ulysses son mentioned in the poem?
a) Achilles
b) Telemachus
c) Paris
d) Hector
84. Which Greek epic hero does Ulysses hope to meet in the afterlife?
a) Hector
b) Achilles
c) Agamemnon
d) Ajax
85. What kind of life does Ulysses compare to rusting?
a) A life of inaction
b) A life of war
c) A life of wisdom
d) A life of sorrow
86. What natural element does Ulysses frequently mention in the poem?
a) Mountains
b) Sky
c) Sea
d) Forest
87. What does Ulysses mean by "I am a part of all that I have met"?
a) He has been shaped by his experiences.
b) He owns many lands.
c) He is still haunted by his past.
d) He has lost his identity.
88. Where did Ulysses fight with his peers?
a) Marathon
b) Thebes
c) Troy
d) Sparta
89. What celestial object does Ulysses use as a metaphor for knowledge?
a) The sun
b) The moon
c) A sinking star
d) A comet
90. What does Ulysses call his mariners?
a) Old and tired men
b) Strong and brave warriors
c) Souls that have toiled, and wrought, and thought
d) Fools who follow him blindly
91. What does Ulysses say about death?
a) it closes all
b) it is avoidable
c) It should be feared
d) It is meaningless
92. What does Ulysses say about Telemachus rule?
a) He will make the people mild and useful.
b) He will destroy the kingdom.
c) He will lead them into battle.
d) He will abandon Ithaca.
93. What does Ulysses long to do instead of ruling Ithaca?
a) Rest in peace
b) Go on new adventures
c) Train his son
d) Write his memoirs
94. What is the final message of Ulysses?
a) To keep striving despite age and limitations
b) To enjoy life in peace and rest
c) To accept one's fate without question
d) To pass wisdom to future generations
95. What phrase shows that Ulysses acknowledges his own aging?
a) "We are not now that strength which in old days..."
b) "Much have I seen and known..."
c) "The long day wanes..."
d) "Push off, and sitting well in order smite..."
96. What is the poetic structure of Ulysses?
a) Sonnet
b) Dramatic monologue in blank verse
c) Ballad
d) Free verse
97. Which poetic form is Ulysses written in?
a) Sonnet
b) Dramatic monologue
c) Ballad
d) Ode
98. Which poetic device is used in "The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs"?
a) Alliteration
b) Simile
c) Metaphor
d) Personification
99. What is the meaning of "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield"?
a) To fight against enemies
b) To continue seeking knowledge and adventure without giving up
c) To enjoy a peaceful life in Ithaca
d) To accept old age and retire
100. The poem is a typical dramatic monologue common in the
a) Later Victorian era
b) Earlier Victorian era
c) Romantic period
d) Restoration period
101. Which one of the following is a feature of a dramatic monologue?
a) It is a poem in which we have the words of a single speaker who is clearly not the poet himself.
b) There is an audience, usually silent, as well as a setting.
c) The protagonist faces a crisis. In the course of the poem, he reacts to the crisis and, by his reaction, reveals the basic traits of his personality.
d) All of the above
102. Ulysses kingdom Ithaca represents:
a) Human actions
b) Tyranny
c) Last voyage
d) Limitation of human action
103. Ulysses' final voyage towards the unknown region represents:
a) Beginning of a new era of human action
b) Death
c) Human expectations
d) Limitation of human action
104. Ulysses, the king of Ithaca, is the son of:
a) Telemachus
b) Laertes
c) None of them
d) Homer
105. Ithaca was a barren and rocky island in the:
a) Iranian Sea
b) Arabian Sea
c) Ionian Sea
d) Aral Sea
106. Telemachus was the __ of Ulysses.
a) Father
b) Lieutenant
c) Navigator
d) Son
107. 'Hyades' is a Greek word that means:
a) Pioneers
b) Rainers (who calls rain)
c) Signs of an imminent storm
d) Natural calamities
108. Hyades is a constellation of _______ stars.
a) Three
b) Five
c) Seven
d) Nine
109. The main theme of Ulysses is:
a) The conflict between duty and adventure
b) The beauty of nature
c) The importance of family life
d) The dangers of the sea
110. Ulysses calls his mariners:
a) Cowards
b) Free souls
c) Gods
d) Tyrants
111. Ulysses wants to leave Ithaca because:
a) He is tired of ruling
b) He wants to meet his son
c) He wants to explore new lands
d) He fears war
112. What does Ulysses say about old age?
a) It is weak and useless
b) it still has the power to strive and seek
c) it should rest peacefully
d) It should avoid adventure
113. The poem Ulysses is written in:
a) Free verse
b) Blank verse (no rhyme at the end of each line)
c) Rhymed couplets
d) Sonnet form
114. The poem Ulysses is addressed to:
a) The people of Ithaca
b) Telemachus
c) Ulysses' sailors
d) Himself
115. The poem Ulysses was written in:
a) 1815
b) 1825
c) 1833
d) 1842
116. The poem was published in:
a) 1835
b) 1842
c) 1850
d) 1664
117. Tennyson wrote Ulysses after the death of his close friend:
a) Robert Browning
b) Percy Bysshe Shelley
c) Arthur Henry Hallam
d) William Blake
118. "It little profits that an idle king" - What does idle king mean?
a) A lazy and inactive king
b) A just and noble king
c) A wise ruler
d) A cruel king
119. "By this still hearth, among these barren crags, What does hearth symbolize?
a) Warmth and fire
b) Home and domestic life
c) Adventure and excitement
d) Political power
120. The phrase still hearth suggests:
a) A lively home
b) A place of adventure
c) A dull and unadventurous life
d) A battlefield
121. "I will drink Life to the lees" - What is life compared to?
a) A cup of tea
b) A cup of wine
c) A cup of water
d) A cup of honey
122. The phrase "hungry heart" refers to:
a) A desire for food
b) A craving for adventure and knowledge
c) A heart filled with sadness
d) A heart suffering from disease
123. "Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and dole" - Who is the aged wife?
a) Helen
b) Andromache
c) Penelope
d) Clytemnestra
124. "Unequal laws unto a savage race The savage race refers to
a) The people of Troy
b) The people of Ithaca
c) The Greeks
d) The Spartans
125. "Vext the dim sea" - What does 'vext' mean?
a) Made stormy or turbulent
b) Made calm
c) Made clear
d) Made bright
126. In "I am become a name," Ulysses means that
a) He has lost his identity
b) He is famous for his adventures
c) He is forgotten by history
d) He is searching for a new name
127. What is Ulysses final resolution in the poem?
a) To retire and rest
b) To rule Ithaca wisely
c) To set out on new adventures
d) To spend time with his family
128. How does the poem Ulysses end?
a) With Ulysses bidding farewell to his son.
b) With Ulysses preparing for his final voyage.
c) With Ulysses expressing regret for his actions.
d) With Ulysses deciding to stay in Ithaca.
_____________________________________________
Class 12 English 3rd Semester "Ulysses" Poem MCQ ANSWERS:
1. Ans: c) Alfred Lord Tennyson