Question

Read the excerpt from "Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Which lines in the poem reflect the Victorian theme of seeking new adventures despite obstacles?

The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are--
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Answer 1

Tis not too late to seek a newer world.

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die.

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Step-by-step explanation:

All those phrases are about going beyond, finding new things, exploring, and adventuring. All of them fit the Victorian theme of seeking new adventures. Some of them talk about obstacles to be overcame as well.

Answer 2

The entire final stanza explores this theme as it says that their obstacle is being old, but they are still heroic, and they will find the strength due to their unfaltering will.