Question

What is the main theme reflected in this excerpt from “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson?
There gloom the dark broad seas. My mariners,
Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and thought with me--
That ever with a frolic welcome took
The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
Free hearts, free foreheads--you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil.
Death closes all; but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.


A .The old have free hearts and free minds.



B. The mariners have toiled hard to avoid the dark and broad seas.



C. It is very important to have free time and sunshine in life.



D. The old can regain honor by taking up challenges again.

Answer 1

The main theme reflected in these lines is, I believe, D) the old can regain honor by taking up challenges again. 

Answer 2

Answer: D) The old can regain honor by taking up challenges again.

Explanation: In literature, the theme is the underlying message of a story, it is  what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel, play, short story or poem. Usually this belief, or idea, is universal and transcends cultural barriers. In the given excerpt we can see reflected the theme that the old can regain honor by taking up challenges again, as we can see in the phrases "but something ere the end,  Some work of noble note, may yet be done.."