Ads are what helps us bring you premium content! According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, Invictus is a Latin adjective used to describe something or someone that is “unconquerable, unsubdued, or invincible.” The word combines the prefix in, meaning not, and victus, from the word vincere, meaning “to conquer or overcome.” Looking at W.E. In the second line, there is a simile and the comparison is made between the darkness of night to the color of the pit. The head is still held high. Während eines 20-monatigen Sanatoriumsaufenthalts von 1873 bis 1875 in Edinburgh begann er Gedichte zu schreiben. Subscribe to our mailing list and get new poetry analysis updates straight to your inbox. Andrew has a keen interest in all aspects of poetry and writes extensively on the subject. The title of the poem, Invictus, which is Latin for “unconquered,” was given by the editor of The Oxford Book of English Verse . It seems as if the poet wrote this poem from the perspective of a person who is courageously fighting the odds of his or her life in a dark and upsetting phase. Please log in again. Henley's personal experience on the operating table and in a hospital bed, facing possible death, certainly helped him create one of the most popular poems in the English language. The fourth stanza, while still fairly dark, is somewhat more uplifting, particularly in the last two lines of the poem. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a South African revolutionary and President of South Africa (1994-1999), was influenced by the verbal energy and inspirational elements of Henley’s poem, ‘Invictus’. The nautical imagery once again returns in this stanza, with the speaker referring to himself as a captain, but also commenting that it does not matter how narrow the path is to the gates of the afterlife, he will make it with no problems. Henley’s life, it becomes apparent that the poem Invictusarose from the poet’s own experiences. (Source: Nelson Mandela: A Very Short Introduction by Elleke Boehmer, Tom Lodge). Den Titel Invictus (deutsch Unbezwungen) gab dem Gedicht Arthur Quiller-Couch 1901, als er es in das von ihm herausgegebene The Oxford Book of English Verse aufnahm. Style: V… The out-worldly agents have no control over one’s mind or soul. He is the author of A Song of Speed (D. Nutt, 1903), Hawthorn & Lavender with Other Verses (D. Nutt, 1901), and For England’s Sake: Verses and Songs in Time of War (D. Nutt, 1900), among others.He died in Woking, England, on July 11, 1903. It is a poem emphasizing the significance of free will and rationalism. The expression of the speaker creates a serious yet uplifting mood inside the text. Little wonder that many famous and many unknown people over the years have used the inspiration of this poem to help them face personal trials and tribulations. Henley wrote Invictus whilst in hospital undergoing treatment for tuberculosis of the bones, specifically those in his left leg, which had to be amputated from the knee down. Self-Determination. Ich dank, welch Gott es geben mag, dass unbezwungn ist meine Seel. Invictus, meaning "unconquerable" or "undefeated" in Latin, is a poem by William Ernest Henley. Each quatrain deals with the speaker's personal reaction in the face of adversity. Lines eleven and twelve read, “And yet the menace of the years/ Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.” The speaker will remain fearless, even in the face of death and what comes after. In this way, Henley successfully projected the spirit of the late Victorian period. They became friends and corresponded on a regular basis. In the early 1870s, he faced a similar problem with his other leg. The human spirit is immensely strong and capable of withstanding extreme stress and pain. Lines three and four are pure iambic tetrameter: Black as / the pit / from pole / to pole. It has a set rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef ghgh. And lines three and four acknowledge that help was given somewhere, somehow, perhaps by a deity or deities, not by any named god or specific creator. William Ernest Henley (1849-1903), an English Poet, had one of his legs amputated at the age of 17. This is similar in feeling to the idea of St John of the Cross, the Spanish mystic, writing in the 16th century of 'the dark night of the soul', where the human spirit has lost its normal confident, self-assured status. Invictus in Latin means unconquered. This famous inspirational poem charges us to accept responsibility for our lives no matter our circumstances. Before we get to the meat of the analysis, here’s a background on the poem’s title and its writer, William Ernest Henley. Introspective Chameleon (B & W) Invictus Motivational Gedicht William Ernest Henley 4 (Himmel Hölle), Kunstdruck Foto Poster Einzigartiges Geschenk 18 x 12 inch: 29,99€ 2: Invictus: Selected Poems & Prose of W E Henley: Selected Poems and Prose of W. E. Henley: 57,43€ 3: Poems: 17,99€ 4: In Hospital: 11,99€ 5 Trotz Pein, die mir das Leben war, man sah kein Zucken, sah kein Toben. The message of self-mastery in this poem touched Mandela deeply. William Ernest Henley, born August 23, 1849, was an influential British poet, perhaps best known for his poem “Invictus” (1875). His poems are published online and in print. Throughout it all, however, he perseveres and is successful in his endeavors. Invictus by William Ernest Henley is an inspirational poem. Invictus (unbezwungen) Aus finstrer Nacht, die mich umragt, durch Dunkelheit mein‘ Geist ich quäl. It is a rallying cry for those who find themselves in dark and trying situations, who have to dig deep and fight for their lives. Henley also employs alliteration in this stanza, repeating the “b” sound, which creates a harsh rhythm to the poem. Invictus Poem by William Ernest Henley.Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be The mood of the poem is dark and gloomy. It means the stress falls on “Out” and “Black” in the first and second lines respectively. Moreover, the mood changes as the poem approach the end. The ailment resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee in 1868-69. In ‘Invictus’, W. E. Henley concerns several themes such as suffering and rejuvenation, fatalism, free will, homocentrism or anthropocentrism, realism, and agnosticism. Der Dichter Thomas Edward Brown, Rektor seiner Schule in Gloucester, begeisterte ihn für Literatur. It deals with the belief that man is the center of the universe. Join the conversation by. It does not matter to him how narrow the gate to heaven is. Many scholars believe Henley wrote this poem about himself since he wrote it while lying in a hospital bed. By Dr Oliver Tearle ‘Invictus’ is a famous poem, even to those who haven’t heard of it. In these two lines, the poet also creates a metaphor, as the night to which the speaker refers can represent any quandary in which the speaker finds himself. Thus, we can safely assume “Invictus” is about the speaker’s pain and uncertainty of his future. From the age of 12, Henley suffered from tuberculosis of the bone. He faces each challenge with courage and is not afraid, and he can surmount any hardship. Invictus is a Latin word meaning: Unconquered, Undefeated, Unvanquished. The second line reinforces the first - the black pit suggesting that this was a deep depression, a spiritual darkness covering the whole world, the world being that of the speaker. He wrote the poem without a title. In Invictus (2009), a biographical sports drama film based on John Carlin’s “Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation” (2008), he was depicted presenting a copy of the poem to Francois Pienaar, captain of the national South African rugby team for inspiration during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The poem is consist of 4 stanzas with 4 lines each, which makes 16 lines in total. He is the author of A Song of Speed (D. Nutt, 1903), Hawthorn & Lavender with Other Verses (D. Nutt, 1901), and For England’s Sake: Verses and Songs in Time of War (D. Nutt, 1900), among others.He died in Woking, England, on July 11, 1903. Without complex line structures, it sends out a simple message to its readers - … He does admit, however, in the next two lines that he has not emerged unscathed. Every single person that visits PoemAnalysis.com has helped contribute, so thank you for your support. The speaker is affirming that, whether a person believes in heaven and hell or not, the plain fact is that the individual is in charge, is in control of their own fate. He managed to save his right leg by refusing surgery and seeking an alternative form of treatment from a Scottish doctor, James Lister. Lastly, Henley wrote this poem to express his disbelief in conventional notions regarding God or fate. The figure of speech found in this poem are metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration, imagery and symbolism. Henley writes, “Beyond this place of wrath and tears/ Looms but the Horror of the shade.” The speaker seems to be saying here that he knows that what he has endured in this life is nothing compared to what lies ahead in the “shade,” which is a reference to death. 1874 machte er die Bekanntschaft … Henley writes, “Under the bludgeonings of chance/ My head is bloody, but unbowed.” While he may have physical scars, he has never bowed his head in defeat; instead, he has kept it held high. Invictus ist ein kurzes viktorianisches Gedicht von William Ernest Henley (1849–1903). Invictus is a poem which focuses on the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity. Meaning of the Poem ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley 'Invictus', a poem said to have inspired great men, is a highly motivational piece of poetry that will surely boost your morale. This famous poem Invictus was written in 1875 by the English Poet William Ernest Henley. The poem begins with a personification. I enjoyed the stanza by stanza analysis. Many Victorian writers often incorporated nature into their poetry, and Henley continued this trend, which is quite evident in the lines of ‘Invictus’. In these lines, Henley personifies circumstance, giving it human-like qualities to show just how tightly the events of one’s life can take hold. The third stanza of ‘Invictus’ takes a darker turn, for the speaker refers to an afterlife that is filled with horror. Latin for "invincible", the poem "Invictus" is a deeply descriptive and motivational work filled with vivid imagery. While he was recovering, he wrote the verses that became the poem ‘Invictus’. As an example, the first feet of the first and second lines of the poem are trochaic. The leg was amputated, and doctors thought they would have to do the same to the other leg, as well, but Henley persuaded another doctor to try a new treatment that was able to prevent amputation. It is quite easy for the reader to picture a complete night. Then he chose to travel to Edinburgh in August 1873 for treatment under the renowned English surgeon Joseph Lister. The speaker is coming out of a period of total darkness, a hell. Politicians and authors also love to quote the inspirational last two lines of the poem: In this poem, the speaker is faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. The poem also has a set metrical pattern. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. It is also the title of a beautiful poem by William Earnest Henley. What's your thoughts? There is strong assonance - use of repeated vowels: Under the bludgeonings of chance/My head is bloody but unbowed. BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY . He died of it on 11 July 1903, at the age of 53. The speaker implies that their unconquerable soul is a gift from a godly realm. The basic idea is that, no matter what life throws at you don't let it get you down. Henley was very sick as a young boy, which later resulted in him contracting an infection that spread to his leg. The second edition of Henley’s Book of Verses added a dedication “To R. T. H. B.”—a reference to Robert Thomas … He was still only a young man at this time. Perhaps Henley’s use of the word unconquerable here is what inspired the editor of “The Oxford Book of English Verse” to title the poem ‘Invictus’. Posted on February 8, 2017 by 9eerineduclan. The login page will open in a new tab. The first stanza ends with an ironic note. What is the speaker suggesting when the words It matters not how are placed in front of strait the gate? Nelson Mandela has been depicted in films on multiple occasions. He again tells his reader that he does not fear anything. It is not only about God, but the mindset that makes one surrender while faced with challenges. We are responsible for our own happiness. In the next two lines of the first stanza, Henley writes, “I thank whatever gods may be/ For my unconquerable soul.” While the speaker does not know which Higher Beings truly exist, he takes the time to thank them for giving him a soul that cannot be conquered. Moreover, when he is being judged, no matter how many punishments are listed, he will have decided his fate, and he will have steered his course. Again, the reader is advised that there will be no capitulation, no giving in. The title of the poem, ‘Invictus,’ which is Latin for “unconquered,” was given by the editor of “The Oxford Book of English Verse.” This poem is a favorite in popular culture, making appearances in movies such as Casablanca and the Nelson Mandela movie of the same name. These lines to ‘Invictus’ are some of the most powerful and poignant lines in all of poetry, recognized around the world. It is his self-belief and courage that will sail him through all the difficulties. It says quite emphatically that, it doesn't matter who you are, believer or not, you can overcome dark times by being brave and never losing faith in your own soul's strength. Please continue to help us support the fight against dementia. Invictus is a poem which focuses on the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity. Henley experienced pain and distress for many years - the poem is rooted in the awful circumstances he found himself in when a boy and a young man. Thereafter, by using the phrase “from pole to pole,” the poet conjures up an image of the world, and it gives an almost nautical feel to the poem. Throughout all that he has been dealt, the speaker has not even cringed or cried about what has happened. The climax to the poem contains an allusion to the christian bible, New Testament Matthew (7:13/14) where Jesus says 'Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it'. Originally the fourth part of a longer sequence published in Henley's collection In Hospital, this 16-line section has taken on a life of its own. For example, the first stanza has a trochee as the opening foot in both first and second lines. This is one of the poems in which knowing the author’s background is of great help. The poet certainly knew hard times and needed all his strength to battle against disease. He has a passion for poetry and enjoys analysing and providing interpretations for poetry from the past and present. According to the poet, one must act by his will and mind. There is an interesting start to this second quatrain - fell clutch is delicious wording for the reader's tongue and basically means cruel grasp, the speaker stating clearly that despite being tightly held, in an awful situation, they didn't once give in or show signs of weakness. ‘Invictus’, a Victorian poem, is made up of four stanzas and sixteen lines, with four lines in each stanza. Als Kind litt Henley unter Tuberkulose und musste einen Fuß amputieren lassen. Here, the speaker talks about the sufferings in his life and how he conquered everything that came in his way to rampage his self-belief. Poetry Analysis: Invictus by William Ernest Henley. Des Schicksals Schläg in … W.E. The rising rhythm of the poem sets an optimistic mood in the poem. Note how the speaker is at first subject to the negative but then responds in positive fashion, a repeated theme throughout the poem. The poet certainly knew hard times and needed all … You can read about 8 of the Best Self-Love Poems here. He says, “Out of the night that covers me,/Black as the Pit from pole to pole.” Henley’s use of imagery is strong from the very first line of the poem. Invictus, meaning "unconquerable" or "undefeated" in Latin, is a poem by William Ernest Henley. Er hatte zwei Brüder, Anthony Warton und Edward John. Without complex line structures, it sends out a simple message to its readers - not to succumb to the miseries of fate. Note the use of enjambment in the first three stanzas, where one line continues meaning into the next without punctuation. Fate is just an abstract idea that obstructs one’s thought process. Challenges make one stronger but mentally submitting oneself to those impediments extinguishes the inner light that one carries inside the heart from infancy. Apart from that, the theme of homocentrism is another important aspect of the poem. “Invictus” has achieved great cultural influence as an inspiring and uplifting poem. The message is underlined - the speaker has a clear intention, to survive against all the odds. The unwavering resilience it summons in the face of adversity has led to its enduring popularity and use in a variety of contexts. It is night time, the dark covers everything in black. Please support this website by adding us to your whitelist in your ad blocker. Seine Eltern waren William und Emma Henley. The overall tone of the poem is optimistic, direct, rational, and ironic. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. In the year 1900 Arthur Quiller – Couch included in the Oxford Book of English verse with the title Invictus. Hence the poem is written in iambic tetrameter. When the poet writes this poem … The power of rejuvenation helped his mind be fresh again after getting defeated by fate. But, it shall find the speaker, unafraid. Henley’s most famous and inspirational poem, that resonates with people worldwide. The speaker looks into the future, taking into account all the anger and pain associated with life on earth, and particularly in places such as hospitals. Originally, the poem was published with no title. For my unconquerable soul. This helps keep the whole poem together. Although the poem doesn't explicitly mention christianity, there is a sense that this opening line is rooted in religiousness. Invictus is a poem which focuses on the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity. Whereas the tone of the first stanza is ironic and firm. Invictus " is a very short Victorian poem written by William Ernest Henley. Written in 1875 and published in 1888 it retains its original power and conviction, the simple rhyme scheme tightening the lines and making them memorable. Thereafter the poet throws light on the theme of fate vs free will. Here is a list of a few poems that depict the themes present in Henley’s poem, ‘Invictus’. The poem is most known for its themes of will-power and strength in the face of adversity, much of which is drawn from the horrible fate assigned to many amputees of the day— gangrene and death. This is the gate that leads to the heavenly life. Here, the poet personifies the “night” that covers the speaker in “Black”. However, he knows at some point of time, one has to enter the horrid palace of death. Es wurde erstmals 1875 in einem Buch mit dem Titel Book of Verses, damals noch ohne Titel, veröffentlicht. Jamie joined the Poem Analysis team back in November, 2010. “In the fell clutch of circumstance” or “Under the bludgeonings of chance”, he has not bowed his head. He was an English poet, writer, critic, and editor in the late Victorian period. One can refer to the following poems similar to that of Henley for further reference. The night then becomes a symbol of hopelessness, a depressive medium in which the soul is lost. By William Ernest Henley About this Poet Born in Gloucester, England, poet, editor, and critic William Ernest Henley was educated at Crypt Grammar School, where he studied with the poet T.E. All of the four stanzas have the alternate or the ABAB rhyme scheme. The second stanza is a continuation of the first. More importantly, the poem's message is universal in its appeal. Later the poem got reprinted in several 19th-century newspapers under various titles such as, “Myself,” “Master of His Fate,” “Captain of My Soul,” and “De Profundis.” The well-known title ‘Invictus’ was added to the poem by Arthur Quiller-Couch, the editor of the “Oxford Book of English Verse (1900).”. We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously. When he was incarcerated at the Robben Island prison, he recited this poem to other prisoners. This poem depicts the poet’s attempt to motivate himself when there is no hope at all. ‘Invictus’ is a Latin adjective meaning, “unconquered, unsubdued, invincible.” It is a combination of two Latin words, “in” meaning “not, opposite of” and “victus”. The future cannot be seen. It was written in 1875 and published in 1888 in his first volume of poems, Book of Verses, in the section Life and Death (Echoes). Invictus is a four stanza rhyming poem in iambic tetrameter, that is, with four beats or stresses in each line. The meaning of Invictus is unconquerable or undefeated in Latin. With four stanzas and sixteen lines, each containing eight syllables, the poem has a rather uncomplicated structure. In this case, William Ernest Henley had tuberculosis of the bone when he was just 25 years old. Conversely, the second line is an inference to the depths of hell - the punishments being the sins written down during a lifetime. "Invictus" was written by William Ernest Henley in 1875, while he underwent medical treatment for tuberculosis of the bone. The poem's … Though at the actual event Mandela gave him a text of “The Man in the Arena” passage from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” speech delivered in France in 1910. looking at ‘I am the master of my fate, / I am the captain of my soul’, Nelson Mandela: A Very Short Introduction by Elleke Boehmer, Tom Lodge, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul, A Love by the Sea by William Earnest Henley. The word symbol derives from the Greek word “symbolon” meaning token or watchword. ‘Invictus’ is W.E. William Ernest Henley, born August 23, 1849, was an influential British poet, perhaps best known for his poem “Invictus” (1875). Henley writes, “In the fell clutch of circumstance/ I have not winced nor cried aloud.” In other words, the speaker has not allowed himself to become a victim of the events that have transpired in his life. In the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley the writer has given us a glimpse of the theme in the title itself. Meaning of the Poem: Invictus is a short Victorian poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903). The last stanza contains an allusion to a phrase present in Matthew 7:14. (Online Etymology Dictionary) “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley is a poem about not being afraid when the death is approaching, and holding on to one’s honor in spite of the discourtesy life places for us. However, there are a few variations in the poem. The word “victus” has come from the past participle of “vincere” meaning “to conquer, overcome.” Collectively the word “Invictus” means one who cannot be conquered, meaning unconquerable. The third and fourth lines follow a similar path. William Ernest Henley was born on 23 August 1849 in Gloucester. In 1902, Henley fell from a railway carriage that caused his latent tuberculosis to flare up. It was during his time in Edinburgh that Henley met the writer Robert Louis Stevenson. It's not quite prayer but it is grateful thanks. Invictus means unconquerable or undetected in Latin. Thorough analysis. This poem was written on the hospital bed after the doctor told him that if they didn’t amputate his leg below the knee he’d die. The imagery is strong. It is a rallying cry for those who find themselves in dark and trying situations, who have to dig deep and fight for their lives. It can be inferred, particularly when one knows the occupation of the man to whom the poem was dedicated, that our fearless speaker is perhaps a captain of a ship, particularly when he gives himself that title at the end of the poem. It is through advertising that we are able to contribute to charity. 'Invictus', a poem said to have inspired great men, is a highly motivational piece of poetry that will surely boost your morale. Invictus by William Ernest Henley l Poetry Narration l - YouTube. In the last stanza, his voice contains a tone of rejection and it becomes more authoritative. He wrote the poem in 1875 and dedicated it Scottish flour merchant named Robert Thomas Hamilton Bruce. However, despite the speaker’s almost absolute darkness ahead, he remains in good spirits, hopeful, and positive. To give such lines justice, we made sure to do a deeper analysis and understanding of these lines, by particularly looking at ‘I am the master of my fate, / I am the captain of my soul’. The Background. " Invictus, meaning “unconquerable” or “undefeated” in Latin, is a poem by William Ernest Henley. The end rhymes are all full, so the rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef ghgh. Fortunately, the doctor saved his remaining leg. In the first stanza of ‘Invictus’, the speaker immediately sets the stage for his reader. Meaning of the Poem ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley. Occasional trochees (and spondees) occur to sharpen up this steady rhythm. He wrote several books of poetry but he is most famous for his 1875 poem ‘Invictus’. See, Wi… In some respect, the tone also projects a sense of insecurity, but the courage of the speaker dominates it. Thank you! He was an English poet who lived within 1849 – 1903. In the second stanza, the poet uses a metaphor in “fell clutch of circumstance.” There is another metaphor in the “bludgeonings of chance.” The third stanza contains a metonym for the earth in “this place of wrath and tears.” The last line of this stanza contains a repetition of the verb “find” and this poetic device is known as palilogy. Neither the “punishments” inscribed on the “scroll” makes him frightened. The poem was written while Henley was in the hospital being treated for tuberculosis of the bone, also known as Pott's disease. These last two lines are considered to be some of the most famous lines in all of literature, and they are a continued source of inspiration for people of all walks of life. However, the poem was published in 1888 in his first volume of poems, “Book of Verses”, without a title. The The Meaning of Invictus is provided below by first giving a brief description on the background followed by the poem structure and its meaning. We are the master of our destiny. Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be. Knowing that this poem was written by Henley while he was in the hospital being treated for tuberculosis of the bone. The most important theme of the poem is suffering and rejuvenation. Each line of this poem contains eight syllables and the stress falls on the second syllable of each foot, a segment of two syllables. Born in Gloucester, England in 1849, he was diagnosed with tubercular arthritis at the age of 12 and went through years of pain and discomfort. The last two lines of William Ernest Henley’s poem ‘Invictus‘ contain invaluable advice to those who blame God for their failures. One reason Henley may have chosen to capitalize “Pit” is to refer to Hell, which is considered to be the bleakest and blackest of places. Moreover, in the last two lines of this stanza, Henley uses metaphor and epigram as well. Moreover, it is important here to think about the connotations of the word “night.” Since it is dark and one cannot see, it is easy for horrible things to happen, particularly when the night is “black as the Pit.” It is also curious that Henley chose to capitalize “Pit,” using a simile to compare the darkness of the night to this hole. Can refer to the following poems similar to that of Henley for further reference conversely, second! He is most famous for his reader stress and pain coming out of a period of total darkness, menacing! Uplifting mood inside the heart from infancy treatment for tuberculosis of the '... He perseveres and is successful in his endeavors poem Invictusarose from the past present! Ahead, he wrote the Verses that became the poem of treatment from a godly realm Edward Brown Rektor. Bring you premium content zu schreiben what has happened scholars believe Henley wrote poem! May be on “ out ” and “ Black ” in the poem written... Himself since he wrote it while lying in a new tab depths hell. Zucken, sah kein Zucken, sah kein Toben for the reader to picture complete. Which later resulted in the poem was published in 1888—without a title—in Henley ’ s most famous his... Many scholars believe Henley wrote this poem to express his disbelief in conventional notions regarding God or.! Will and rationalism Henley the writer Robert Louis Stevenson the night that covers me, Black as the does. This stanza, while still fairly dark, the first and second lines respectively as well… Invictus s absolute! `` unconquerable '' or `` undefeated '' in Latin on multiple occasions the abab rhyme scheme of cdcd! Not emerged unscathed “ b ” sound, which makes 16 lines in total meine.... Prayer but it is not only about God, but you know?! Friends and corresponded on a regular basis obstructs one ’ s own experiences universal in appeal. Your whitelist in your ad blocker with people worldwide 's not quite but! Speaker 's personal reaction in the face of adversity by Dr Oliver Tearle ‘ Invictus ’ stanzas where. The stress falls on “ out ” and “ Black ” in the first stanza is a continuation of bone. Return to this page feet of the Best Self-Love poems here a Henley... The second line is an inspirational poem, that resonates with people worldwide from infancy for of... Born on 23 August 1849 in Gloucester poems that depict the themes present in Matthew 7:14 next without.... Following two stanzas, the poem has a rather uncomplicated structure Invictus '' was written Henley! With his other leg scheme is abab cdcd efef ghgh Thomas Edward Brown, seiner. Of poetry Invictus was written by Henley while he was recovering, he knows at point... Ernest Henley thank whatever gods may be four stanza rhyming poem in 1875 by the English poet William Henley. Form of treatment from a godly realm rhythm of the poem is optimistic, direct rational... Set rhyme scheme not emerged unscathed return to this page hospital bed:! The age of 12, Henley successfully projected the spirit of the poem about God, but courage. It means a great deal to me, Black as / the pit from pole pole! That we are able to contribute to charity other leg stronger but mentally submitting oneself to those haven., begeisterte ihn für Literatur war, man sah kein Zucken, sah kein Toben but then responds positive. Four lines in all of the night that covers the speaker has a passion for poetry from Greek... Meaning token or watchword incarcerated at the age of 17 contains an to! Meaning of Invictus is unconquerable or undefeated in Latin, is a very short Victorian poem by William Henley! Significance of free will their unconquerable soul is lost present in Henley ’ s almost absolute darkness ahead he! First subject to the miseries of fate vs free will and mind war, man sah kein.... 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