All times I have enjoy'd
Greatly, have suffer'd greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when
Thro' scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vext the dim sea:
These lines have been taken from the famous dramatic monologue "Ulysses", composed by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the representative poet of the Victorian period. These lines refer to the troubles that Ulysses had to face while returning from the battle of Troy.
Ulysses was one of the great Greek heroes who fought against the Trojans at the battle of Troy to rescue Helen. After the Trojan battle, on his way back to his homeland, Ithaca, he had to suffer a lot for the enmity of some gods and goddesses. In all these adventurous events, his heroic comrades shared both his troubles and joys. It took him ten years to return to his kingdom because of the hostility, mainly of Poseidon, the god of oceans. He had to survive after fighting back storms, giants and witches. In these lines, all these troubles have been alluded. Ulysses and his companions fought heroically with the Trojans, won the battle and enjoyed the pleasure of victory. His victory in the sea also brought him pleasure. Therefore, pain and pleasure made him famous.
