2 Poem Comparison

The two poems from class, Athlete Dying Young and Ulysses, give very distinct opinions about time. Both poems take the same stand; they think that time will destroy all accomplishments. The difference between the two poems is that the athlete dies but Odysseus lives. The speaker turns death into a positive. Unfortunately for Odysseus he lived to see his prime come and go, but the speaker argues that the athlete got the best possible scenario, he got to enjoy his life and be successful, but then died at the right time. This way he would never have to see anyone break his records and could live in ignorant bliss knowing he achieved his goals.