(1849 - 1902 / Gloucester / England)

poet William Ernest Henley
#74 on top 500 poets
What do you think this poem is about?

Invictus

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.

Submitted: Friday, January 03, 2003


Read poems about / on: fate, night, thanks

Comments about this poem (Invictus by William Ernest Henley )

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  • Beverly Felix (5/8/2013 3:15:00 PM)

    MY ABSOLUTE TIMELESS FAVORITE.

    13 person liked.
    		4 person did not like.
  • Camilo Bohorquez (5/8/2013 11:09:00 AM)

    Sedric Ramey, I agree. I learned of this poem in High School and have always loved it without thinking of how it prophesies that I can do it all on my own. That is not true all things are only possible with God. Since High School I have learned to recite this poem in my head a little differently.

    I thank the God i know to be
    for my unconquerable soul

    He [God] is the master of my fate
    He [God] is the captain of my soul.

    20 person liked.
    		52 person did not like.
  • Sedric Ramey (4/21/2013 9:49:00 PM)

    It's a great poem for someone who doesn't believe in God because the Bible clearly says we don't own, ourselves.(Psalm 24) . My fellow Christians and I are bought with a price by God and we ought to want Him to be the captain of our souls, just read 1 Corinthians 15-20.

    30 person liked.
    		112 person did not like.
  • Andrea Scarpa (4/8/2013 6:14:00 PM)

    Probably my favorite of all poems, such noble grace in words, so much accuracy in depicting the strain and the pain, so much strength and moving power, simply amazing

    45 person liked.
    		13 person did not like.
  • Jayne Hart (4/2/2013 11:48:00 AM)

    Beautiful words but hauntingly isolated.

    35 person liked.
    		16 person did not like.
  • Alan Workman (2/22/2013 10:54:00 PM)

    Two months ago I had open heart surgery. It lasted twice as long as expected because of complications…now I take multiple medications daily to stay alive. But I am Alive…I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

    114 person liked.
    		25 person did not like.
  • Terriyanah Davis (2/19/2013 6:22:00 PM)

    This poem is about how many people try to tear thos person down but he is showing them that he is undefeated.

    39 person liked.
    		40 person did not like.
  • Gajanan Mishra (2/13/2013 5:54:00 AM)

    Master of fate and captain of soul. good.

    48 person liked.
    		26 person did not like.
  • Jed Mills (2/11/2013 4:01:00 PM)

    this poem rocks dudes'! !

    46 person liked.
    		36 person did not like.
  • Tiffany T (1/29/2013 7:45:00 PM)

    No matter what the odds, no matter who I face, i will never give in to it. I will always stay strong. I will always be me.

    70 person liked.
    		30 person did not like.
Read all 193 comments »

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