THE FAMOUS POEM, INVICTUS BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

The famous poem "INVICTUS" by William Ernest Henley. Do you understand it, what have you learned from it?

The poem "INVICTUS" is so popular and powerful. It touched me so much that I had to memorize it completely. interestingly, I found out that it has had same effect on almost all of the world's great men From former US president Theodore Roosevelt to Nelson Mandela in South Africa to Current US president Barack Obama and that is an insignificant part of the long list!

This famous poem was written by William Ernest Henley in 1875 under the following circumstances:

In 1875 one of Henley's legs required amputation due to complications arising from tuberculosis. Immediately after the amputation, he was told that his other leg would require a similar procedure. He chose instead to enlist the services of the distinguished surgeon, Joseph Lister, who was able to save Henley's remaining leg, after multiple surgical interventions on the foot.

While recovering in the infirmary, he was moved to write the verses that became "Invictus". This period of his life, coupled with recollections of an impoverished childhood, were primary inspirations for the poem, and play a major role in its meaning.

This poem is referred to by Napoleon Hill in his famous classic, Think and grow rich. It is the inspiration for former US president Theodore Roosevelt's famous 'man in the arena' speech (a passage in CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC a speech the President delivered at the Sorbonne Paris, France, April 23, 1910)

The primary message of the poem to me is this: THAT NO MATTER WHAT OUR PRESENT SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCES  MIGHT BE, WE ARE THE MASTERS OF OUR FAITH, WE ARE THE CAPTAINS OF OUR SOUL!

 Holding on to this believe causes us to take responsibility for our lives. We don't allow our lives to be determined by the Government, our parents, our religion, our background, our environment, our friends, our spouse, our siblings,etc. Many today blame someone and something else for the situations in their lives! This attitude robbs you of the power to create your own life. To see a dream life and to pursue it with determination that does not recognise failure but faith and persistence. Doing everyday the best you can to advance you in the direction of your dreams without violating the rights of others or the laws of God.

Let us see the words of this poem as written 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."

How do you feel reading those words?

See Theodore Roosevelt's man in the arena which is an offshoot of Henley's invictus:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

William Ernest Henley's invictus was recited by Nelson Mandela to other prisoners in Robben Island while he was incarcerated there and its message of self mastery empowered the freedom fighter.

Have you seen or read the poem before?

Have you taken time to read invictus again?

What effect has this great piece had on you?

Let us know in the comment box below!!