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  • Essay / A Theme of Invincibility in Invictus by WE Henley

    One might wonder if our destiny is in our own hands or if it is governed by a higher power. There is a widely held Christian belief that destiny is in the hands of God. In 'Invictus', W. E Henley asserts that we are masters of our own destiny and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. It is an inspiring poem, imbued with Stoic wisdom. In his poem, Henley is invincible because of his self-belief and his refusal to despair despite his difficulties. We are masters of our own destiny, illustrates the poet. He embodies courage in the face of adversity with the utmost grace and skill. The poem reflects her resilience in the midst of darkness. He is undoubtedly heroic in his defiance of death. The poem is an inspiration to millions of people around the world because it teaches that if you are true to your beliefs, nothing can defeat you. You are blessed with an invincible spirit. If you are self-reliant, you can bravely face any misfortune, without resorting to religious recourse. Your destiny is defined by you. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Although the poet may be physically crippled by circumstances, his spirit is indomitable. Even after suffering from tuberculosis, an incurable disease at the time, the poet remained hopeful and fearless. Henley suffered from skeletal tuberculosis, his left knee was amputated and his other leg was also affected. He underwent several surgeries to restore his legs. During his hospital stay in 1875, he expressed his thoughts in this unforgettable poem. The Latin word “Invictus” means invincible in English. The poet used powerful images that arouse empathetic emotions in readers. The poem is written according to the “abab, cdcd, efef, ghgh rhyme scheme”. It is composed of “four stanzas”. Each stanza is composed of “four lines” (Quatrain). The poem is composed of “sixteen lines”. Although simple in structure, it contains a powerful message from an indomitable spirit. The powerful message of the invincibility of the spirit transcends its simplified structure. The glorification of self as an invincible spirit and the subordination of "gods" support Henley's autonomy. This is evident through a superficial reference to God such as: "I thank all the gods / For my invincible soul." » The numerous “gods” beginning with a lowercase “g” lessen the emphasis on the gods. The capital “I” in “I am” represents the self as an invincible spirit, taking charge of its destiny. The “gods” here allude to the pantheistic belief that the higher power is within me and that I am that invincible spirit. In this inspiring poem, the poet poured out his heart on paper, which reflects his valiant spirit. After reading this poem, we are impressed by the poet's position and we are filled with a sense of calm embodied by the poet. We admire the poet's strength of spirit when he expresses gratitude for his unconquered soul, even though he is ill. The poet is ready to embrace uncertainty, armed with his resolute faith in himself. He is willing to face the unknown stoically, which reflects his tolerance for ambiguity. He is not afraid of death. He is fearless. The beauty of this poem is that it inspires everyone. It speaks to everyone, wherever they come from. The meaning of the poem can be interpreted in several ways, from different angles. It is peppered with meaningful metaphors and images that awaken the reader's conviction and self-confidence. The poet expresses his anguish and his thoughts which resonate with all thosewho are sick and trying to recover from a serious illness. In his article “I am the master of my destiny”, P William points out that Nelson Mandela was greatly inspired by this poem. “Undefeated by racism, imprisonment, tuberculosis and bitterness, Mandela persevered as the master of his destiny. His lasting gift was his power of forgiveness - a gift we remember in his inimitable smile. The poem also resonates with people who are trying to fulfill a mission. The poem is a source of inspiration for players participating in the "Invictus Games". The Invictus Games are international sporting events involving wounded, ill or injured military veterans. The poem was recited by Louis Smith (athlete), Iwan Thomas (athlete), Daniel Craig (actor), Tom Hardy (actor) in the promotional video to inspire everyone. The poem gives a message of hope and resilience, that whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, our destiny is in our hands. We are indeed masters of our own destiny. The poem is also aimed at students who are preparing for an exam, as it inspires and gives a positive message of victory over our fears. The poem describes not only Henley's physical condition, but also his mental state and how he overcomes these challenges on his own. -conviction. The opening of the poem is undeniably dark, but ultimately the poet's triumphant spirit eclipses the surrounding darkness (sinister). The poem begins with “night”. The imagery of night as depicted in the poem paints a bleak picture. The “night” refers to the anguish and suffering the poet endures due to the complications of his tuberculosis treatment, painful surgeries, and his physically debilitating condition in the hospital. “Beyond the place of anger and tears, only a shadow of shadow looms. » The "dark night" refers to the depression he suffered due to his difficult situation. The poem is not only about facing difficulties such as illness/physical disability, but also about battling depression and pessimism. For people who are suffering from depression during a difficult phase, "Invictus" conveys a message of hope, courage and determination in taking control of one's destiny. The poet, by personifying “circumstances” and “chance,” described the bloody nature of his illness. Circumstances took hold of him and “luck” bludgeoned him. Her head is bleeding, but she is not bowed. He kept his spirits up, he was undefeated and he didn't give up. The poem emboldens everyone by instilling self-confidence when it expresses, “I am not perturbed, even when chance has bludgeoned me. I'm not hunched over. My spirit is invincible,” a reflection of stoicism that claims to be resilient and calm even in misery. There is a secular philosophy because the Victorian era witnessed the evolution of Darwinian thoughts and challenged creationism. The poet emphasizes his free will and autonomy over destiny rather than God, which reflects the philosophy of his contemporary, Nietzsche, who glorified man above God. Stoicism echoes the wisdom of Seneca. The Victorian era was disenchanted with austerity and Christian masquerades. Dependence on self rather than religion is the hallmark of this poem. The poem used religious imagery but the poem is not religious. There are allusions to biblical symbols: “No matter how narrow the gate / how heavy the scroll is with chastisements.” The “gate” refers to the entrance to heaven or hell, a Christian belief that one can enter heaven/hell after death. According to 2020