Chapter 2.1 - Invictus
“Invictus” was written by the English poet William Ernest Henley. This is a short Victorian poem written in 1875 and published in 1888. Here, he talks about the deep realities of life, which are not smooth and flawless. He knows the hard truth of life: that everyone’s life is full of troubles, which come with different circumstances.
But one should not give up; one must keep one’s willpower strong and unconquered by anyone. One must look for solutions to overcome the troubles of life. These waves of trouble will try to make one weak, bloody-headed, or even shake to the extent that feelings of horror may shower upon the person, but what is important at this stage is to feel strong, keep the head up, and fight against such troubles.
The poet is describing how he had a hard life. He has encountered many troubles in different circumstances but has never given up, even after being regularly troubled by these evil troubles. After his life has been beaten down, he still feels strong and hopeful. He differentiates the fact that there will be more circumstances in the future that he cannot prevent from happening. However, the past troubled years have prepared the individual for the future.
Now the author explains how a person is the controller of his own life. Whenever he encounters such problems, troubles, or such circumstances in his life, or whatever life throws at him, he knows that he is the ‘captain of his soul, and he can manage his own life. Just like the captain of a ship, he feels that his life is a big ship sailing through the waves of different circumstances and troubles.
He is the master of his own fate and the captain of his soul. He is convinced that he can rule his own life and overcome his obstacles.
invictus : unconquered
pit : a large deep hole in the ground
wrath : anger
fell clutch : wicked trap
bludgeonings : violent beating with a club
winced : jerked withpain
menace : threat
looms : hangs overhead
POINT FORMAT
Title: Invictus
Poet: William Ernest Henley
Rhyme Scheme:
The Rhyme Scheme is abab.
Favourite line:
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Theme/Central idea:
This powerful poem is all about showing courage in the face of death and the will to survive with dignity in the face of severe hardships. The poet stresses that he alone is responsible for his actions, and though he has been battered by fate, he has not been conquered.
Figure of Speech:
‘In the fell clutch of circumstance’.
The figure of speech is Personification. ‘Circumstance’ is personified. It is said to be clutching wickedly.
Special Feature/Implied meaning, etc.:
A very powerful poem where strong words are used. The poet wishes to tell us that we must have courage and strength. Our actions are the result of our own feelings, and we must take responsibility for everything that happens in our lives.
Why I like/don’t like the poem:
The poem had a great effect on me. I like it because it has some very memorable lines.
PARAGRAPH FORMAT
‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley is a powerful poem. It is all about showing courage in the face of death and the will to survive with dignity in the face of severe hardships. The poet stresses that he alone is responsible for his actions, and though he has been battered by fate, he has not been conquered.
The Rhyme Scheme of the poem is abab. One example of a Figure of Speech is Personification. ‘In the fell clutch of circumstance’, circumstance, is personified. It is said to be clutching wickedly.
The poem stands out because it is a very emotional poem where strong words are used. The poet wishes to tell us that we must have courage and strength. Our actions are the result of our own feelings, and we must take responsibility for everything that happens in our lives. The poem has impressed me deeply. My favourite lines are: I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. I like the poem because it has some very memorable lines.
∗ ∗ ∗ Warming up! ∗ ∗ ∗
Let’s introspect!
1. Think and respond with ‘YES’ or ‘NO’.
When you are faced with a very serious problem or some grave danger, what do you experience ?
Your feelings
panic
Ans: No
wishing you were never born
Ans: No
hopelessness
Ans: No
helplessness
Ans: No
no emotion
Ans: No
calmness and composure
Ans: Yes
willingness to tackle it
Ans: Yes
Your reactions
break down and cry
Ans: No
run away and hide
Ans: No
pray to God
Ans: Yes
ask for help
Ans: Yes
build up courage
Ans: Yes
take it as a challenge
Ans: Yes
Write about your feelings and reactions in 4-5 lines.
You may describe your feelings and reactions using other words than those given here.
Ans: When I find myself in trouble, facing a serious problem, I experience a lot of stress. A part of me just wants to run away from the problem and simply avoid dealing with it. I feel worried, angry and edgy. But then I try to calm myself down by taking deep breaths. I prepare myself mentally to boldly overcome the obstacle and move forward again.
Form groups of four. Discuss what you actually feel and do in difficult situations and some of the things you could do and would like to do in those situations.
Ans: Students should do this on their own.
2. Guess what the following symbolise and match the pairs.
(1) a tall mountain
(2) a dark night
(3) a rose
(4) sunrise
(5) a flying bird
(6) thunder
(a) beauty
(b) freedom
(c) deep distress
(d) anger
(e) strength/firmness
(f) hope
Ans: (1 – e), (2 – c), (3 – a), (4 – f), (5 – b), (5 – d)
| Positive Feelings | Negative Feelings |
|---|---|
hopeful, happy, surprised, loving, proud, cheerful, excited, comfortable, peaceful, enthusiastic, motivated, inspired | lonely, jealous, shy, anxious, nervous, embarrassed, scared, silly, depressed, threatened, crushed, angry |
∗ ∗ ∗ In Between the Poetry ∗ ∗ ∗
Q1. What is the poet thankful for?
Ans: The poet is thankful for his soul which is unconquerable.
Q2. Which lines show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely?
Ans: The line that depicts the sufferings of the poet are as follows:
‘In the fell clutch of circumstances under the bludgeonings of chance’.
Q3. What is meant by the :place of wrath and fears’?
Ans: The ‘place of wrath and fears’ refers to the world we live in, which is full of anger and suffering.
Q4. What does the poet have full control over?
Ans: The poet has full control over his fate and soul.
∗ ∗ ∗ ENGLISH WORKSHOP ∗ ∗ ∗
1. Choose the correct option :
(a) Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole of pole
(i) There is a pit between two poles which you cannot see at night.
(ii) I am in a pit that is covered with a black sheet.
(iii) The circumstances are as bad as they can be with nothing to hope for from any corner.
Ans: (iii) The circumstances are as bad as they can be with nothing to hope for from any corner.
(b) In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud
(i) I fell down and cried aloud.
(ii) I have not expressed my grief even when I had to suffer great pains.
(iii) I freed myself from a difficult situation and cried.
Ans: (ii) I have not expressed my grief even when I had to suffer great pains.
(c) Under the bludgeonings of chance, My head is bloody, …
(i) I have suffered many setbacks and losses, for which there was no reason.
(ii) I got hurt due to my own faults.
(iii) My enemies hit me till I started bleeding.
Ans: (i) I have suffered many setbacks and losses, for which there was no reason.
(d) And yet the menace of the years, Finds, and shall find, me unafraid
(i) My enemies threaten me but cannot find me.
(ii) A great bully found me once, but shall not find me in future.
(iii) Even though I am growing old, I am not, and shall not be, afraid.
Ans: (iii) Even though I am growing old, I am not, and shall not be, afraid.
(e) How charged with punishments the scroll, …
(i) The scroll is very expensive.
(ii) I may have to pay for many of my mistakes.
(iii) I have to pay money as punishment.
Ans: (ii) I may have to pay for many of my mistakes.
(f) I am the master of my fate :
(i) I take responsibility for everything that happens in my life.
(ii) My fate is my master.
(iii) I am the master of this world.
Ans: (i) I take responsibility for everything that happens in my life.
(g) I am the captain of my soul.
(i) I am the captain of a team.
(ii) My soul is the captain of my team.
(iii) My actions are the result of my own feelings.
Ans: (iii) My actions are the result of my own feelings.
2. Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
Ans: The Rhyme Scheme of the poem is abab.
3. Read the poem : ‘Where lies the land…’ by A. C. Clough.
Ans:
Where Lies the Land
– by Arthur Hugh Clough
Where lies the land to which the ship would go?
Far, far ahead, is all her seamen know.
And where the land she travels from? Away,
Far, far behind, is all that they can say.
On sunny noons upon the deck’s smooth face,
Linked arm in arm, how pleasant here to pace;
Or, o’er the stern reclining, watch below
The foaming wake far widening as we go.
On stormy nights when wild north-westers rave,
How proud a thing to fight with wind and wave!
The dripping sailor on the reeling mast
Exults to bear, and scorns to wish it past.
Where lies the land to which the ship would go?
Far, far ahead, is all her seamen know.
And where the land she travels from? Away,
Far, far behind, is all that they can say.