Ulysses's Character: In the poem, Ulysses (the Roman name for Odysseus) is an aging king who has returned home after his epic journey described in Homer's Odyssey. However, he finds his settled life with his wife and son to be unfulfilling and stagnant. He yearns for new adventures, knowledge, and experiences.

The Desire for Continued Endeavor: The line "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" is Ulysses's declaration of his unyielding spirit.

"To strive": To make great efforts to achieve or obtain something; to struggle or contend. This speaks to the effort required for new ventures.

"To seek": To attempt to find something; to search for. This refers to the pursuit of knowledge and new experiences.

"To find": To discover or perceive after a search. This is the reward, the new understanding or destination.

"And not to yield": This is the core of his resolve – never to give up, never to surrender to old age, weariness, or the comfort of a settled life. It's a defiant statement against complacency.

Victorian Spirit: As we discussed, this line also strongly reflects the Victorian spirit of exploration and progress. It's an affirmation of the human desire to constantly push boundaries, explore the unknown, and never be content with past achievements, no matter how great. It's about living life to the fullest until the very end.

So, when Ulysses speaks this line, he is essentially rallying his old mariners for one last voyage into the unknown, driven by an insatiable hunger for experience and discovery, even if it leads to their demise. It's a powerful statement about the human spirit's capacity for endless ambition and resilience.