Invictus

Invictus

Invictus is a short poem by the British poet William Ernest Henley. The title is Latin for "Unconquered". It was first published in 1875.

Background

At the age of 12 Henley became a victim of tuberculosis of the bone. In spite of this, in 1867 he successfully passed the Oxford local examination as a senior student. His diseased foot had to be amputated directly below the knee; physicians announced the only way to save his life was to amputate the other. Henley persevered and survived with one foot intact. He was discharged in 1875, and was able to lead an active life for nearly 30 years despite his disability. With an artificial foot, he lived until the age of 54. "Invictus" was written from a hospital bed.

The Poem

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.

See also

* If—, an inspirational poem by Rudyard Kipling;

* "Kings Row", a 1942 film in which the poem is recited at the climax.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Invictus — Студийный альбом Virgin Steele Дата выпуска 1998 Записан …   Википедия

  • INVICTUS — Graece Α᾿νίκητος, a Commodo Imp. nominatus est mensis October, ut Lamprid. scribit, Februarius, uti Dio refert. vide Salmas. ad Lamprid. Idem sollenne esse Imperatorum elogium, docet ad Epigr. 6. l. 7. Mart. cuius Epigraphe est, de sama reditûs… …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • invictus — Latin adjective, unconquered, unsubdued, invincible …   Etymology dictionary

  • Invictus — Filmdaten Deutscher Titel Invictus – Unbezwungen Originaltitel Invictus P …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Invictus — Para otros usos de este término, véase Invictus (desambiguación). Invictus es un poema breve escrito por el poeta inglés William Ernest Henley (1849–1903). Escrito en 1875, fue publicado por primera vez en 1888[1] en el Libro de Poemas del mismo …   Wikipedia Español

  • Invictus —  Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différentes œuvres portant le même titre. Invictus est le titre des œuvres suivantes : Invictus, poème de l écrivain William Ernest Henley ; Invictus, film réalisé par Clint Eastwood, sorti en …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Invictus (Album) — Invictus (Iconoclast III) Studioalbum von Heaven Shall Burn Veröffentlichung Deutschland …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Invictus (film) — Invictus Titre original Invictus Réalisation Clint Eastwood Scénario Anthony Peckham d après l œuvre de : John Carlin Direction artistique Tom Hannam Jonathan Hely Hutchinson Décors James J. Murakami Costumes Deborah …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Invictus Games — Тип Частная компания Год основания 1992 Прежние названия …   Википедия

  • Invictus (poeme) — Invictus (poème) Invictus est un court poème de l écrivain William Ernest Henley qui fut cité à de très nombreuses reprises dans la culture populaire et qui contribua à le rendre célèbre. Le titre latin signifie invincible et se fonde sur la… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”