William Ernest Henley (1849 - 1902 / Gloucester / England)

I've carried this poem around in the front of my filofax for years, and it's given me strength through some very dark times. I never knew who wrote it until I read about the movie. Glad to know other people love it as much as I do.

Is a great poem about the character of a man...The movie 'INVICTUS' I think that has a little relationship because is about Nelson Mandela and his efforts to unite South Africa after the end of the apartheid, the movie shows his relationship and work together with the white captain of the south African team.

There is a new movie coming out soon by the same name. I'll have to see if it is of the same theme. Great poem!

A very important poem in a critical part of my life. I have since found that the memorization of poems, sayings, proverbs, and allegories assists one in pulling life together at certain moments. Poetry, proverbs etal. serve to create within one a life condensing and expanding gem. When the moment is right the poem, proverb, saying will come to life and bring new connective meainng to one's life.

Traveling the planet I have seen that the expression above is a constant in many cultures.

The final two lines of Invictus require a certain responsibilty that many would not like to take on - are not ready to take on. The poem prompts one to, perhaps, ask oneself if I am ready to become a master of my fate, if so...

My father recited this poem often. He said many times that he was an athiest but I really thought when his life ended he was maybe not in that frame of mind. This is the only poem I can recite. Now there is a movie with that name and I can't even invision what it can be about. Daniel I think you would have liked my dad.
Lorale

some brief personal history. I'm 79 yrs old, experiencing structual failure and some system failure. don't remember when I first read this poem. I am neither a student or a critic of poetry. I understand that the poem was banned by the clergy when it was published for it's seemingly agnostic overtones. I struggled as a young man to define myself, seek support for emotional turmoil. I had no idea of Henley's personal life or of that time in literary history. I did find insperation and determination in the poem. I, also, read Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay on 'Self Reliance'. Over the years, I have recomended both writings to my children and grandchildren. I was born Jewish, been Bar Mitzvoh, and long ago drifted away from organized religion, tho I retained my Jewish identity. Whenever I speak to someone who is fervently involved in their beliefs I shy away. Seems to me they think they are the sole posessors of the 'Truth'. What is 'Truth'? It is reality as one percives it. It is a belief system that one commits to. Seems to me that there are many pathways to the 'Truth'. From the most primitave of societies to the most sophisticated. Who am I to say that you are wrong, that I am right. The inhumanities that have been commited in the name of the 'Truth' are rife throughout history. Both pieces of literature seem to support that thesis and have been a guide for me. My only prejudice is against prejudice, lack of tolerance, the refusal to accept an individual based on personal merit. I'm a strong believer in accepting resposibility for one's own behaviour. I belive that no can can manipulate me without my permission. The strength of these two pieces of literature have sustained me over many years and continue to do so.

Though this poem may be about the poet & his adversities it’s hard to ignore the romantic machismo that bleeds through the verses.
The Romantic Movement had a profound influence on art, science, & exploration & much of the success of this very personal poem (apart from being a great poem) is the way it spoke to & reiterated sentiments of this era. Strength, self reliance, determination, adventure (this last element too often overlooked with respect to this poem) were all essential ingredients to imperial Europe and anyone looking to establish themselves in their respective field. This poem reflects the poets ethnosyncrasies as much as his idiosyncrasies.

easely ahigh score from the netherlands
can we have your votes please..W.E. Henley..ten points dix points

This is in response to Chris Robson. I like the level of thinking you put into your post...yet, having said that I have to say I feel otherwise. Given the context of the poem, I feel that in using the lower case letters for 'whatever gods may be' and using upper case for 'I am' towards the end emphasizes his then-current state of mind that to get through the struggle at hand it was purely self-reliance and inner strength. No disrespect or intent to start any type of argument...just voicing my thought as another rookie to the poetry game

That is a VERY good point Chris Robson! I never thought if it that way and I love this poem! I have loved it since reading it in high school.