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Invictus
This anthology contains the masterpiece of Henley "Invictus" and over 100 other poems. Nicely formatted with capital letters, page break and interactive toc!
At the age of 12, Henley fell victim to tuberculosis of the bone. A few years later, the disease progressed to his foot, and physicians announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate directly below the knee. It was amputated when he was 25. In 1875, he wrote the "Invictus" poem from a hospital bed. Despite his disability, he survived with one foot intact and led an active life until his death at the age of 53
In the 2009 movie Invictus, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, the poem is referenced several times. It becomes the central inspirational gift from Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, to Springbok rugby team captain François Pienaar, played by Matt Damon, in advance of the post-apartheid Rugby World Cup hosted in 1995 by South Africa and won by the underdog Springboks.
At the age of 12, Henley fell victim to tuberculosis of the bone. A few years later, the disease progressed to his foot, and physicians announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate directly below the knee. It was amputated when he was 25. In 1875, he wrote the "Invictus" poem from a hospital bed. Despite his disability, he survived with one foot intact and led an active life until his death at the age of 53
In the 2009 movie Invictus, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, the poem is referenced several times. It becomes the central inspirational gift from Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, to Springbok rugby team captain François Pienaar, played by Matt Damon, in advance of the post-apartheid Rugby World Cup hosted in 1995 by South Africa and won by the underdog Springboks.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1875
54 people are currently reading
1767 people want to read
About the author
William Ernest Henley
417 books177 followersWilliam Ernest Henley was an English poet, critic and editor. Though he wrote several books of poetry, Henley is remembered most often for his 1875 poem "Invictus". A fixture in London literary circles, the one-legged Henley was also the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's character Long John Silver (Treasure Island, 1883), while his young daughter Margaret Henley inspired J.M. Barrie's choice of the name Wendy for the heroine of his play Peter Pan (1904).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 17, 2020
This poem is simply amazing. In four strophes it says so much. One of my best friends introduced me to this poem the summer we've met. It really holds a sentimental place in my heart.
I love this poem so much! I just read it in English and in Czech, so I can say that 100% I prefer the English version. Now, I'm going to look for the French one.
EDIT: Well, in French, it is also amazing. Still, I'm the fan of the English version :)
I love this poem so much! I just read it in English and in Czech, so I can say that 100% I prefer the English version. Now, I'm going to look for the French one.
EDIT: Well, in French, it is also amazing. Still, I'm the fan of the English version :)
May 12, 2016
SO inspiring.
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
May 7, 2019
قراءة من صفحة واحدة
القصيدة الأشهر في القرن التاسع عشر : الذي لا يُقهر
للشاعر الإنجليزي أرنست وليام هنلي .. الذي لم يُخلد من أعماله سوي هذه القصيدة
في نهاية القرن التاسع عشر كتب شاعر إنجليزي اسمه وليام إرنست هنلي قصيدة الذي لا يقهر
Invictus
وهي من القصائد والنصوص القليلة التي لاقت رواجا من مجمل أعماله. تم اقتباس القصيدة وبالذات آخر بيتين منها في الكثير من الحوارات الأدبية و الدرامية السينمائية، إلا أن أشهر اقتباسات القصيدة كان في الواقع حين علقها نلسن مانديلا على جدار سجنه؛ وكانت وفقا لما صرح به تعطيه بعض الثقة والقوة
أصبحت قصيدة هنلي من الشهرة بمكان بحيث أضحت مادة يستشهد بها الكتاب والخطباء خصوصاً البيتين الأخيرين منها: (فأنا سيد قدري وأنا ربان روحي) اللذان يعبران عن قوة الإرادة والتصميم. وقد كان الرئيس نلسون مانديلا يقرؤها على أسماع المساجين معه في جزيرة روبن. كما ظهر عنوان القصيدة في فيلم سينمائي بنفس الاسم حيث قدم مانديلا لرئيس فريق جنوب أفريقيا للرجبي نسخة من مقطع لخطاب للرئيس الأمريكي ثيودور روزفلت.. وكان الرئيس الأمريكي فرانكلن روزفلت من المعجبين بالقصيدة . وتشاء الظروف أن يقوم أحد مستشاريه بإلقاء القصيدة بأكملها تقديراً له عند تأبينه
خارجا من الليل الذي يغطيني
أسود كحفرة من القطب إلى القطب
أشكر الآلهة أيا كانت
على نفسي التي لا تقهر
في قبضة الظروف الموحشة
ما جفلت لحظة ولا بكيت
تحت هراوات القدر
رأسي مغسول بالدم لكنه لا ينحني
خلف أرض السخط والدموع
لا تلوح إلا رهبة الظل
ولكن وعيد السنين
يجدني وسيجدني غير خائف
لا يهمني أن الباب ضيق
لا يقلقني أن لفافة الأحكام زاخرة بالعقاب
أنا سيد قدري
أنا ربّانُ روحي
قد اكتشفت الشاعر أمس خلال حوار لي مع صديقة تدرس اللغة الإنجليزية ، فبحثت عن القصيدة ، وجمعت معلومات عن الشاعر الذي لم أكن أعرفه من قبل ، وقرأت القصيدة وأعجبتني للغاية ، علي الرغم طبعا من رفضي لـ لفظ معين ورد بها لا يتناسب مع معتقداتنا الدينية ، فضلا عن أن الفكرة نفسها بالطبع لها محاذير دينية معينة ، فالإنسان بالطبع ليس سيد قدره بصورة مطلقة ، فكل شئ مكتوب ومُيسر يإذن الله تعالي، لكن الإنسان يمكن أن يكون ربان روحه بالصبر والصلاة والإيمان بالله عز وجل
فالقصيدة يمكن تطويعها لمعتقداتك إذا أحببت ، بحيث يمكن أن تكون دعوة للعمل، وعدم التواكل في ظل الإيمان بالله ، ويمكن الاستعانة بها في فهم كثير من المذاهب الفلسفية إذا أردت
فسر إعجابي بالقصيدة، إنها تُهيئ فهم الكثير من المذاهب الفلسفية ، فالقصيدة لولا عبارة (أشكر الآلهة) لكانت خير مُعبر عن فلسفة نيتشه ، فضلاً عن أن جملة (ربان روحي) تعبر عن مذهب كل من سقراط و أفلاطون ، وغيرهما من الفلاسفة الذين أعلوا من قيمة الروح، سواء في الفلسفة اليونانية أو أي فرع آخر، والقصيدة بأكملها يمكن الاستعانة بها في فهم الألياذة والأوديسة لـ هوميروس .. أو تدريس السيرة الذاتية للفيلسوف الإيطالي أنطونيو غرامشي ، وغيرها من الموضوعات
فخلاصة القول كانت القصيدة بالنسبة لي اكتشافا أدبيا ودراسيا رائعاً
فكل الشكر لك صديقتي
القصيدة الأشهر في القرن التاسع عشر : الذي لا يُقهر
للشاعر الإنجليزي أرنست وليام هنلي .. الذي لم يُخلد من أعماله سوي هذه القصيدة
في نهاية القرن التاسع عشر كتب شاعر إنجليزي اسمه وليام إرنست هنلي قصيدة الذي لا يقهر
Invictus
وهي من القصائد والنصوص القليلة التي لاقت رواجا من مجمل أعماله. تم اقتباس القصيدة وبالذات آخر بيتين منها في الكثير من الحوارات الأدبية و الدرامية السينمائية، إلا أن أشهر اقتباسات القصيدة كان في الواقع حين علقها نلسن مانديلا على جدار سجنه؛ وكانت وفقا لما صرح به تعطيه بعض الثقة والقوة
أصبحت قصيدة هنلي من الشهرة بمكان بحيث أضحت مادة يستشهد بها الكتاب والخطباء خصوصاً البيتين الأخيرين منها: (فأنا سيد قدري وأنا ربان روحي) اللذان يعبران عن قوة الإرادة والتصميم. وقد كان الرئيس نلسون مانديلا يقرؤها على أسماع المساجين معه في جزيرة روبن. كما ظهر عنوان القصيدة في فيلم سينمائي بنفس الاسم حيث قدم مانديلا لرئيس فريق جنوب أفريقيا للرجبي نسخة من مقطع لخطاب للرئيس الأمريكي ثيودور روزفلت.. وكان الرئيس الأمريكي فرانكلن روزفلت من المعجبين بالقصيدة . وتشاء الظروف أن يقوم أحد مستشاريه بإلقاء القصيدة بأكملها تقديراً له عند تأبينه
خارجا من الليل الذي يغطيني
أسود كحفرة من القطب إلى القطب
أشكر الآلهة أيا كانت
على نفسي التي لا تقهر
في قبضة الظروف الموحشة
ما جفلت لحظة ولا بكيت
تحت هراوات القدر
رأسي مغسول بالدم لكنه لا ينحني
خلف أرض السخط والدموع
لا تلوح إلا رهبة الظل
ولكن وعيد السنين
يجدني وسيجدني غير خائف
لا يهمني أن الباب ضيق
لا يقلقني أن لفافة الأحكام زاخرة بالعقاب
أنا سيد قدري
أنا ربّانُ روحي
قد اكتشفت الشاعر أمس خلال حوار لي مع صديقة تدرس اللغة الإنجليزية ، فبحثت عن القصيدة ، وجمعت معلومات عن الشاعر الذي لم أكن أعرفه من قبل ، وقرأت القصيدة وأعجبتني للغاية ، علي الرغم طبعا من رفضي لـ لفظ معين ورد بها لا يتناسب مع معتقداتنا الدينية ، فضلا عن أن الفكرة نفسها بالطبع لها محاذير دينية معينة ، فالإنسان بالطبع ليس سيد قدره بصورة مطلقة ، فكل شئ مكتوب ومُيسر يإذن الله تعالي، لكن الإنسان يمكن أن يكون ربان روحه بالصبر والصلاة والإيمان بالله عز وجل
فالقصيدة يمكن تطويعها لمعتقداتك إذا أحببت ، بحيث يمكن أن تكون دعوة للعمل، وعدم التواكل في ظل الإيمان بالله ، ويمكن الاستعانة بها في فهم كثير من المذاهب الفلسفية إذا أردت
فسر إعجابي بالقصيدة، إنها تُهيئ فهم الكثير من المذاهب الفلسفية ، فالقصيدة لولا عبارة (أشكر الآلهة) لكانت خير مُعبر عن فلسفة نيتشه ، فضلاً عن أن جملة (ربان روحي) تعبر عن مذهب كل من سقراط و أفلاطون ، وغيرهما من الفلاسفة الذين أعلوا من قيمة الروح، سواء في الفلسفة اليونانية أو أي فرع آخر، والقصيدة بأكملها يمكن الاستعانة بها في فهم الألياذة والأوديسة لـ هوميروس .. أو تدريس السيرة الذاتية للفيلسوف الإيطالي أنطونيو غرامشي ، وغيرها من الموضوعات
فخلاصة القول كانت القصيدة بالنسبة لي اكتشافا أدبيا ودراسيا رائعاً
فكل الشكر لك صديقتي
October 21, 2024
Invictus 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
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
وأنا في مخالب الظروف المهلكة
لم أجفل أو أصرخ عاليًا
وتحت هراوات القدر
غطت الدماء رأسي
لكنه لم ينحنِ
لا يهم أن البوابة ضيقة
وأن لفافة الأحكام مفعمة بالعقوبات
فأنا سيد قدري
وأنا قبطان سفينة روحي..
قصيدة للشاعر البريطاني (هنلي) كتبها عام 1875، وتحمل عنوان Invictus
أي (الذي لا يقهر) باللاتينية..
مش هتكلم عن القصيدة لأن العراب رحمة الله عليه تكفل بالموضوع في مقالة مخصوص هحطلكم لينكها وكمان ذكر فيه الفيلم اللي جسد جزء من حياة مانديلا أو ماديبا وكان بيقرأ الأبيات دي في سجنه اللي دام 27 سنة 😥
الفيلم يحمل نفس اسم القصيدة Invictus واخد علي IMDb 7.3/10
Cast : Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon ..
Directed by Clint Eastwood ❤
مقالة العراب 👇
https://aktowfik.blogspot.com/2010/02...
القصيدة بإلقاء مورجان فريمان 👇❤
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAa6q...
استمتعوا...
دمتم قراء…❤❤❤
August 24, 2012
LOVELY. I HEAR MORGAN FREEMAN'S VOICE RECITING IT WHEN I REMEMBER IT.
April 6, 2023
I don't share his defiant come at me bro atitude twards missfortune but I admire him for this
December 29, 2017
Invictus:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
October 12, 2015
"I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul."
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
LOVED THIS POEM. Inspiring.
For my unconquerable soul."
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
LOVED THIS POEM. Inspiring.
January 26, 2014
Only that poem could inspire a man like Nelson Mandela!
Truly inspiring & motivational!
Truly inspiring & motivational!
May 6, 2019
i wish i could feel the same about myself ! it's great to believe in your own power against this freaking world
July 12, 2018
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Read
April 18, 2020Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
This poem is an especially powerful one. Henley was not a stranger to pain and suffering, yet these inspiring words are all the more meaningful knowing that he chose to overcome. The descriptive language in this poem is filled with imagery of pain. There is an overall sense of strength throughout the poem, and a self-proclaimed power of will that inspires the reader.
"Invictus" would be a powerful poem for middle school students to read. People often believe that adolescents do not yet know real pain, or that they haven't had enough experiences in life to understand what it means to suffer. I believe that all middle school students have some experience with pain, heartache, suffering, loss, and more. Their age does not disqualify them from understanding the woes of life. Many adolescents care for younger siblings due to an absent parent, suffer emotional or physical abuse, struggle with their body image which can lead to mental and physical health issues, and so much more. Adolescent students could fully understand the pain Henley is expressing in this poem. In fact, this poem is inspired by the events of Henley's adolescent years, when his foot was amputated in order to save his life. This amputation shaped Henley's experiences and his identity, but he chose to overcome this disability and persevere. In relation to the concept of identity, our experiences with pain and suffering will often shape our identity. Henley offers readers an interesting perspective on how trials can shape, but not necessarily define, you are a person. Henley choses to take control of his life in this poem, as is clear by the last two lines. This poem opens up a good discussion about a person's control over his or her identity.
Using this poem instructionally, I believe it would work well with a strategy from Chapter 2 of Gallagher's Write Like This book, which focuses on expressing and reflecting in writing. The poem has so much emotion that is rooted in the writer's experiences, that I think it could be used as a model text for writing expressively. The strategy "A Hard Moment," as described in Gallagher's book would pair well with this poem. In this strategy, students are asked to think about moments in their lives that have been difficult, but have taught them something. Having them write about a moment or time like this in their life could be turned from reflective writing into a poem based on the emotional writing they do based on the prompt.
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
This poem is an especially powerful one. Henley was not a stranger to pain and suffering, yet these inspiring words are all the more meaningful knowing that he chose to overcome. The descriptive language in this poem is filled with imagery of pain. There is an overall sense of strength throughout the poem, and a self-proclaimed power of will that inspires the reader.
"Invictus" would be a powerful poem for middle school students to read. People often believe that adolescents do not yet know real pain, or that they haven't had enough experiences in life to understand what it means to suffer. I believe that all middle school students have some experience with pain, heartache, suffering, loss, and more. Their age does not disqualify them from understanding the woes of life. Many adolescents care for younger siblings due to an absent parent, suffer emotional or physical abuse, struggle with their body image which can lead to mental and physical health issues, and so much more. Adolescent students could fully understand the pain Henley is expressing in this poem. In fact, this poem is inspired by the events of Henley's adolescent years, when his foot was amputated in order to save his life. This amputation shaped Henley's experiences and his identity, but he chose to overcome this disability and persevere. In relation to the concept of identity, our experiences with pain and suffering will often shape our identity. Henley offers readers an interesting perspective on how trials can shape, but not necessarily define, you are a person. Henley choses to take control of his life in this poem, as is clear by the last two lines. This poem opens up a good discussion about a person's control over his or her identity.
Using this poem instructionally, I believe it would work well with a strategy from Chapter 2 of Gallagher's Write Like This book, which focuses on expressing and reflecting in writing. The poem has so much emotion that is rooted in the writer's experiences, that I think it could be used as a model text for writing expressively. The strategy "A Hard Moment," as described in Gallagher's book would pair well with this poem. In this strategy, students are asked to think about moments in their lives that have been difficult, but have taught them something. Having them write about a moment or time like this in their life could be turned from reflective writing into a poem based on the emotional writing they do based on the prompt.
October 10, 2018
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Here's a soul touching reading of this powerful poem, making it more beautiful and inspiring <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_co...
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Here's a soul touching reading of this powerful poem, making it more beautiful and inspiring <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_co...
December 5, 2017
"Invictus"
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
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul...
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
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul...
January 1, 2015
My favorite poem
June 11, 2014
verrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy gooooooooodddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 15, 2021
"Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul."
...
"I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul."
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul."
...
"I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul."
Read
April 3, 2023Sorry, I’m not one for poetry. But this came highly recommended, both from a fanfiction in which it helps Harry, and from Zephyr on Fediverse.
July 1, 2017
"Invictus" by William Ernest Henley is a quite eloquent poem with its expressive words and many interpretations. The lines of this poem may require deep focus on the one true meaning of the poem. However, the legit meaning of "Invictus," I believe, lies between the lines. The words have meanings, but meanings that won't contribute to the definition to the poem itself. It requires an interpretation of the meaning of the words together to find the hidden information that lies between the lines. William Ernest Henley uses figurative language and personification in this poem. The reason this poem was written is not yet sure. However, it was written while Henley was in a hospital bed recovering from a leg amputation in 1867 because of tuberculosis. Coming back to the interpretation and focusing on the title, which has a great contribution to the interpretation, Invictus, means unconquerable. Given that bit of information, it is assumed that the poem has something to do with being unconquerable or invincible. --- Diane ™
The first stanza of "Invictus" is "OUT of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul." William Ernest Henley is implying someone's life being surrounded by the darkness of their life. Every aspect of their life is like the 'pit' or hell. However, they express their story of how they overcame their troubles and how they feel that nothing can get in their way anymore.
"In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeoning of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed." This is the second stanza; small, but meaningful. The poet is describing someone who has had a hard life. They have encountered many troubles and circumstances, but have never given up pushing through them. After their life has been beaten down, they are still strong and hopeful. 'Bludgeoning' has the definition of beating or forcing down. Henley is implying that someone has been beaten down, but they are still capable and full of endurance to conquer the troubles of the life ahead of them.
The third stanza says, "Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid." These lines of 'Invictus' explain how the individual differentiates the fact that there will be circumstances in the future that he cannot prevent from happening. However, the past troubled years has prepared the individual for the future ones. The approaching years must stand and be ready to find the person unafraid and ready to overcome the hardships that the forth comings will provide.
"It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishment the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." William Ernest Henley finishes his poem with this last and famous stanza. These words are basically interpreting how a person is the controller of their own life. Whatever they encounter in life, or whatever life throws at them, they are the 'captain of their soul;' they can manage their own life. Life is a struggle and is not absolute. However, with the authority that they have over their life, they can proceed on the road of their choice. They are the master of their fate, and the captain of their soul.
The first stanza of "Invictus" is "OUT of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul." William Ernest Henley is implying someone's life being surrounded by the darkness of their life. Every aspect of their life is like the 'pit' or hell. However, they express their story of how they overcame their troubles and how they feel that nothing can get in their way anymore.
"In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeoning of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed." This is the second stanza; small, but meaningful. The poet is describing someone who has had a hard life. They have encountered many troubles and circumstances, but have never given up pushing through them. After their life has been beaten down, they are still strong and hopeful. 'Bludgeoning' has the definition of beating or forcing down. Henley is implying that someone has been beaten down, but they are still capable and full of endurance to conquer the troubles of the life ahead of them.
The third stanza says, "Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid." These lines of 'Invictus' explain how the individual differentiates the fact that there will be circumstances in the future that he cannot prevent from happening. However, the past troubled years has prepared the individual for the future ones. The approaching years must stand and be ready to find the person unafraid and ready to overcome the hardships that the forth comings will provide.
"It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishment the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." William Ernest Henley finishes his poem with this last and famous stanza. These words are basically interpreting how a person is the controller of their own life. Whatever they encounter in life, or whatever life throws at them, they are the 'captain of their soul;' they can manage their own life. Life is a struggle and is not absolute. However, with the authority that they have over their life, they can proceed on the road of their choice. They are the master of their fate, and the captain of their soul.
April 17, 2019
'I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.' - You must have definitely read these lines somewhere. I faced similar health issues as Henley and this poem inspired me during the tough times. The movie inspired by this poem is a good watch too.
May 8, 2019
Biased and doesn't give whole picture of Madela's life as it pertains to this story. With all the hype of the movie, i expected much more about the game which I thought was the whole point of the book. Lots of background to the point of only about 1/6 of the book actually even mentions the game. Since the author insists on providing the background, he needs to give the COMPLETE background. The big problem with this book is the author is in love with Mandela. Although Mandela did have many good accomplishments late in life and did help to end apartheid, this book totally glosses over all the bad stuff he did. In addition, the author keeps painting Mandela as a master of charm to the point of having almost god-like ability to affect people. I only read it because it was a book club book.
October 16, 2018
3 stars
First off, I'm not reviewing the anthology presented with the image above, but rather its namesake poem "Invictus." It's a short poem - you can read it yourself through Wikipedia or your other favorite online source of poetry - but quite a powerful one. It's certainly good, but not the most spectacular poem I've ever read.
First off, I'm not reviewing the anthology presented with the image above, but rather its namesake poem "Invictus." It's a short poem - you can read it yourself through Wikipedia or your other favorite online source of poetry - but quite a powerful one. It's certainly good, but not the most spectacular poem I've ever read.
January 16, 2013
This book of poetry is fantastic! I especially enjoy Henley's shorter works and the works from when he stayed in hospital. He has a great way with words and you can't help but speak them lyrically as you read through this book.
August 17, 2018
''In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.''
<3
'Invictus' Read by Morgan Freeman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAa6q...
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.''
<3
'Invictus' Read by Morgan Freeman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAa6q...
July 29, 2011
Loved it! THe man Mandela is so inspiring. I would love to learn some of his traits.
October 7, 2011
This book of poetry was very good. I particularly liked the poems he wrote about his stay in the hospital and those about his mother
July 5, 2012
Life in your hands.
August 12, 2012
A very inspiring story.
November 19, 2012
A truly inspiring poem written by a man who had been truly humbled by life at a young age.
January 25, 2013
As soon as I triumph over something insurmountable, I'm going to recite this from memory (supposing I'm still able to speak coherently).
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