Ulysses Dissatisfaction Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Line Number

Quote #4

And vile it were
For some three suns to store and hoard myself,
And this grey spirit yearning in desire (28-30)

It would be a tragedy if Ulysses were to sit around for three years and do nothing but store up supplies if he's not going anywhere; he wants to be out there traveling – he is possessed by an insatiable desire, and sitting around at home isn't the way to satisfy it. That would be "vile," disgusting, unpardonable. We are dealing with matters of the spirit, after all, and they shouldn't be taken lightly.