Inspiration

I’ve used this before but I think it is worth another look.

 

In troubled times we all need some inspiration to lift us out of the hole we may find ourselves in and give us hope for the future. Words of inspiration shine a light in the dark corners of our mind and dissipate the fearsome shapes and shadows our imaginings may have created. 

 

The poem, “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is such a one and has inspired many. 

 

The words of the poem are a paean of praise to the indomitable human spirit; of the beauty of love for one’s fellow beings and the knowledge that Man can always aspire to, and achieve, greater and grander things. They remind us we are all free to seek for and arrive at that moment in life when peace, harmony and contentment fill our hearts. That we are better than we could ever imagine. 

 

Now, for sure not everyone likes or appreciates poetry but poets often get it right, as in this case. The poem’s last six lines, I feel, are the important ones:

 

                                                                        “.....; and tho’

                        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.

 

 “... but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” – powerful words. 

 

In the context of the poem, Ulysses (as the Romans called him, his actual Greek name was Odysseus), was immortalised in Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, which chronicle the siege of Troy and his epic journey home to his long suffering but faithful wife, Penelope, after a twenty year absence – is now an old man. But he is still fired by thoughts of greater things to do and greater feats of endurance. He is still seeking something, but unsure what. 

 

Ulysses (Odysseus) was not only a brave and fearless fighter, but also a brilliant tactician – it was he who devised the famous Trojan Horse that was used by the Greeks to finally overcome the defenders of Troy and break the siege, some thirty one centuries ago.