Ulysses Perseverance Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Line Number

Quote #4

Made weak by time and fate; but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield (69-70)

Ulysses doesn't really know what he's striving for or what he's looking for; none of the verbs in the last line of the poem have objects, which makes us wonder what exactly Ulysses thinks he's doing. While a few lines earlier he had a "purpose," he now seems caught up in the moment, unclear about what exactly he wants to do. And we get caught up in the moment with him! The lines are so catchy that it's easy to overlook the vagueness of Ulysses' plans.