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Henley's Invictus Explication

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Invictus Explication William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus” primarily emphasizes the themes of being brave, perseverant, and unconquerable. Written in traditional closed form with an abab-cdcd-efef-ghgh rhyme scheme, the fluidity and straightforwardness of the poem enhance Henley’s theme. Furthermore, the poems syntax allows for the meaning to be unmistakably present, clear, and precise. The beginning of the poem “Out of the night that covers me” immediately gives the poem a negative connotation. Straight from the gecko the speaker is surrounded by dark and troubling times in his life. However, the end of the stanza changes the mood of the poem towards an enlightening one. The speaker, although he is not privileged with an easy life, will not let this affect him. He “thanks whatever gods may be” for his “unconquerable soul.” By thanking “whatever gods” and not capitalizing the G in “gods” the speaker is suggesting at being agnostic. …show more content…

The speaker finds himself in the “fell clutch of circumstance.” This stanza contains interesting word choice from Henley. For instance, Henley uses the adjective form of the word “fell” which means evil ferocity. Typically the word fell is used as a verb meaning to move downward unintentionally. Because the verb version of fell is most common by using this word Henley is creating an image of falling and defeat, one which enhances the readers interpretation of the poem. Moreover, the speaker continues showing the reader his hardships, “under the bludgeonings of chance.” Again, much like the first stanza, the speaker states that he will not let these predicaments stop him, emphasizing this by stating that his “head is bloody, but

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