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Question
Explain with reference to the context the following line.
He works his work, I mine.
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Solution
- Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
- Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while justifying the decision of Ulysses to pass on his kingdom to Telemachus. Ulysses explains the polar difference between himself and his son Telemachus. His son will be a ‘fair’ and ‘decent’ ruler. Unlike Ulysses, Telemachus is rooted in regular political life. He enjoys leading the “savage” population and the responsibility of showing the subject better moral codes of conduct and upholding justice. Whereas Ulysses finds this “slow” and intolerable. So, he wishes his son to rule Ithaca and for himself, he wishes to set sail to the unknown.
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