Invictus is a poem by William Ernest Henley that gives us a glimpse at the theme. Latin for “invictus” is unconquerable. This is because Henley wrote the poem while he was in hospital receiving treatment for tuberculosis. This confirms my belief that the poem is about strength in the face of death.
The first section is about death and strength. The entire stanza basically says that the author arose from his dark knight. Because he doesn’t want to die, he was grateful for his awakening. He knows that one day he will be gone. He says that he thanks all the gods for his unconquerable soul. The author must have been thinking darkly because he was lying on his deathbed. He uses words like “outtain the night that covers” and “blackest pit from pole-to-pole”. This is a clear sign that he’s thinking dark. He wakes up in the morning and finds he is still breathing. This is why he is happy to be alive. The author perseveres through his difficulties in the second stanza. “In spite of all the circumstances, I have not cried nor winced.” The author claims that the sinister hold of circumstances has kept him through all his difficulties. Henley says that although his head has been bruised by the luck of the odds, his head is still unbowed. This basically states that, despite all the beatings of his life, Henley does not give up. He is talking about his strength and the fight he has to keep alive, I think. When he speaks about strength, he uses phrases like “I never winced or cried aloud” as well as “My head was bloody but not bowed” to describe it. When he speaks of fighting to survive, he uses phrases like “In a fallen clutch of circumstances” and “Under bludgeonings’s of opportunity”.
The third stanza focuses mainly on death. “Beyond this area of wrath und tears.” The sentence refers specifically to the Earth. Earth is described by the writer as a place full of pain, tears, and harshness. “And yet… the menaces of the years Finds, and shall Find me Unafraid.” The author says this to indicate that he isn’t afraid or will never fear death. Henley wrote about his experiences in life because he believed it was hell. You can see it in his sentences, such as “looms horror of the shadow, and yet the threat of the years”, and “beyond the place of wrath or tears.” This suggests that Henley was feeling down and decided to write dark stuff again. The realm of death, harshness and tears is an example.
The author’s determination to keep going forward is the last stanza. “It doesn’t matter how straight your gait is or how filled with punishments the Scroll is.” This indicates that he doesn’t care how narrow his gait may be to get there. He will choose his destination, no matter if it’s heaven or hell. “I am the master and captain of my destiny. It is almost my time.”
All the evidence I have provided supports the thesis that strength and perseverance are essential in facing death. The author eventually realizes that his life is his. You are responsible for the outcome of your life.
