Question

Which line in the excerpt from “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson exposes the attitude of the Victorians toward idle people? It little profits that an idle king, By this still hearth, among these barren crags, Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and dole Unequal laws unto a savage race, That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me. I cannot rest from travel; I will drink Life to the lees. All times I have enjoyed Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades Vexed the dim sea: I am become a name; For always roaming with a hungry heart Much have I seen and known-- cities of men And manners, climates, councils, governments, Myself not least, but honoured of them all--

Answer 1

The first stanza from the excerpt from “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson exposes the attitude of the Victorians toward idle people.

It little profits that an idle king, By this still hearth, among these barren crags,Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and doleUnequal laws unto a savage race, That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.

Answer 2

Answer: I would contend that the specific line is "... a savage race, That hoard, and sleep, and feed."

Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can be added that in this first part of the excerpt Ulysses is declaring that there is no point in staying home with his aging wife and among peoples from all walks of life, some of whom "hoard, sleep, and feed," as if they were animals. This exposes the attitude of the Victorians toward conformist people, an attitude of rejection and criticism. Lord Tennyson wrote this poem as a tribute to a dear friend who died very young, and as a way to show that he did not want to resign himself and sought to live life to the fullest, in spite of the consequences.