For the warriors out there who are still awake and working at 1:45am on Monday morning, here’s some inspiration to keep you going. This is a spectacular poem by William Ernest Henley written in 1875. The title means “Unconquered” in Latin. When I read this poem I get chills, the hair on my arms stands up and I feel the need to either kill something or create something.
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.
I learned Invictus almost 40 years ago. Since that time it’s always been a source of inspiration for me, especially when I find myself going through a tough time. It always gets me though it.
Great and truly inspirational.
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hi ! this poem is really amazing
i use this piece in my oration i cant get over it until now i still love that poem 
) <3
i like it SOOOOO much …
it is so inspirational .
from now on .
this poem will be my inspiration and guide ..
it really makes me touch ..
GOD BLESS ..
Ditto… I never heard the word either. However, my mom is 80 years old and still working and alert with clarity of mind. I am her doctor and she is well read. This is one of my mother’s favorites. I inspired me and I use it with clients and patients in my Meditation Faith – Master and Commander – Honor the Spirit and Feed the Soul. May this beautiful poem inspire you as well. Sending you Blessings, Love and Light:-)
One good thing about movies, when well done, they educate people. It seems many folks would never have heard this poem without the movie. That is a pity and certainly shows something lacking in todays education.
Invictus has long been my favorite poem. Its light ignites a place in my soul every single time I read it.
This a powerful message of strength and courage and mastery of one’s “inner life” even through an earthly life that may hold dire circumstances in store.
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” are words that speak to human choice about HOW we will master our thoughts, our perceptions and reactions, therefore our very souls in this life no matter where the roads in life take us. What can any man really take from you, when you have this kind of inner self respect and power.
very inspiring poem
Wonderful, It made me cry…..Aloha to you all!!
And GOD bless all who read this poem!!!!!
PASS IT ON
I’m drowning.
I have been to other sites where there is so much analysis of this poem. It’s pessimistic and dark…that’s not really the point is it? Isn’t the point of the poem to revel in it’s inspiration and let it impact anyone who reads it to take with it what they will. If after reading this poem you feel nothing but pessimistic or dark, maybe you are not the captain of your soul. And for me, it will live long in my memory and I for one will let it inspire me forever.
I always thought only long poems with unfamiliar vocabulary can create impact … at least until I read this !
The bible states ” In your patience, possess ye your soul”
OR…
You will be the owner of your own soul if you have patience through trial and sorrow.
This is what the poem ‘Invictus’ is all about. I love it.
love the poem hate it that mcveigh gave it a bad reputation
I’m afraid that those that think of Invictus in a religious way are misguided. It was Henley’s agnosticism that made him prefer: “I thank whatever Gods may be” …. It was his human unconquerable soul that saw him through.
I loved the poem “victus” by Peter Rhebergen. THis was his response to the poem “invictus”. One day Everyone, no matter what their beliefs are now, will know who their true Lord and Savior is.
I too just watched the movie and it was incredible. It truely made me PROUD to be a South African. Goose Bumps indeed!!!
I was given this poem and had to know it in high school….the teacher’s rules. anytime anyplace..if he saw you and said invictus….you had to say the poem or you failed 1/4 of your class for the term….years later I was in the Military…I carried this poem with me into battle numerous times…
Like other here I encountered Henley’s “Invictus.” I had two responses: (1) I was moved by the power of the words, the cadence is simply awesome! (2) I was saddened by its hopeless emptiness and moved to write the following, titled “Victus,” in reply:
Out of the night that covered me,
weak as the pit to take my soul,
I thank God, who will always be;
He came to save and make me whole.
Beneath fell weight of God’s just wrath,
my heart in fearful torment fled.
His love pursued me, took my path;
I am made clean because He bled!
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
loomed death and horror of the shade.
Thank God He carried all my fears;
and death will find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait His gate,
how charged with punishments His scroll.
God’s grace has saved me from my fate;
He is the Saviour of my soul.
It was all inspirational – learn about the Poet and his life as well – what an inspiration in and of itself: At the age of 12, Henley became a victim of tuberculosis of the bone. A few years later the disease progressed to his foot, and physicians announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate directly below the knee. It was amputated at the age of 25. In 1867 he successfully passed the Oxford local examination as a senior student. In 1875 he wrote the “Invictus” poem from a hospital bed. Despite his disability, he survived with one foot intact and led an active life until his death at the age of 53. He was a friend of Robert Louis Stevenson – Stevenson based the character ‘Long John Silver’ on him.
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.
I long for another Invictus, South Africa has forgotten all that the nation’s father Madibe stood and fought for. We now need to emulate him in our struggle to push for fairness, eduation and equality for all in what could be God’s own country, so beautiful it is.
When I came across the word “Invictus”, I wondered what it meant. When I came across the meaning, I wondered what it referred to — Mandella’s unconquerable spirit perhaps which never ceased to become hopeless. But now I know, that Invictus is not about a particular person as such but about that eternal fountain of poetry, truth and beauty which continues to live in people’s souls, not ever defeated on the face of adversity.
I saw the movie “Invictus.” I was overwhelmed to say the least. I have seen the movie six times already and can’t wait until it comes out on DVD. I purchased the soundtrack. I think this film is going to be one of the best films Clint Eastwood ever produced and directed. I hope every American will see this movie. I have sent an email to everyone I know to see the film. I talk to strangers about seeing this wonderful film. It has inspired me to research Nelson Mandela, aparthied, and Rugby. What a film! The best I have ever seen. True stories are so inspiring and refreshing to watch. Americans need a good inspirational movie at this perilous economic time in history.
The poem is really inspiring !!!
Tried emailing you Mark and did not come through.
I watched the movie today and a friend send me the meaning of the poem. I balled my eyes out as I watched this man so many of did not Truly know. I met him personally in Grey Street – Durban….was a humbling experience. He kissed all 3 of my kids. A natural awe follows him. The movie shows his heart more. We lived in South Africa not seeing this greatness. We focussed on the crime which impacted soooo many of our lives. I too was a victim of a hijacking where one in a million come out alive and unharmed. I feel the “invictus” spirit.
Why the heck would this want you to kill something?
its exciting to realise the extent of inspiration you get from a single poem. i saw the movieand just had to search for the poem to understand the inspiration behind it.
truth be told there’s a God in heaven who’s master and commander of our lives and if you’re willing he’l take you to greater lengths to prove your worth. i can do all things through christ who strengthens me!!
I saw this movie today and was blown away by the power and the message it delivers. I am a South African living in Sydney Australia, and have been since 1999.
Now this film brings a longing for my country and for Madiba, if only there was no crime this would be God’s own country.
I love this poem, and like others here didn’t know of it exactly. I had heard it as a little girl. The other night Morgan Freeman was on PBS Charlie Rose and he recited it from memory (he already knew it, way before the movie) it was wonderful and magical !
If one keeps reading it over and over it has such power! Mponyi is right, THE BEST IS YET TO COME !
when I began to complete My formal education in 1993, I just knew that there was no stopping me.. When Mdibe, was incarerated for 27 years and then released, one of the 1st conferences he attended was in Los Angeles. I WAS THERE!!!!! i THOUGHT TO MYSELF “WHAT TENACITY, & such humility. I, then knew that nothing on this earth could stop me, maybe hinder me, just a little, I was afraid that I could not compete with my classmates.. but as a black middle-aged woman I was determined to take a chance on myself.Lo-self worth and all. I completed my A.A. in 1996 (2.7) GPA. in 2002 I began my B.A. @ Chapman U. completed in 2006 while being failed 2x in 2years at my last class because I wanted to discuss & enlighten the world about the recent peer reviews in Ebonics. Ultimately, I graduated with a 3.7 G.P.A from CU with a B.A. in Psych. I imediately challenged the system went to my guidance counsleor & she invoked a can-do infectious spirit in her stellar recommedation for my admittance to the Educational Counsleor, P.P.S,. credential programbefore my other degree had been posted!!!!!! I walked on Saturday June 2, & began a credentialed program for the 1st time in University of la Verne;s history on that Monday in June of 2006. Completed program & graduated with a 3.8 GPA in August of 2008. Now if that is not parrallel to INVICTUS infectious inspiration & motivation for a 61 year old black woman I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS :0) I was born to do what I DO. (DIVINE PROVIDENCE) TO INSPIRE, CONNECT, MOTIVATE OTHERS WHO THINK THEY CANNOT !!! & THOSE WHO DO NOT THINK TO DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE…I am an At-risk guidance counselor NOW at 62 & luving every minute of it!!!!!!!!SELah
The best is yet to come in 2010. Mdibe has been my mentor and insprirational hero for a long time.
Morgan Freeman was “providenced” (doing what you are born to do)Just as Mandela was providenced to inspire & strengthen the masses who cannot see any hope for their future!!!!!
Exquisite and to hear Morgan Freeman share it, gave it a eloquence that echoed emancipation. It reminds me of the poem “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay which is Powerful.
I never heard the word Invictus until I saw the movie which incidentally was great. The poem was inspirational & one worth memorizing.
I had never heard of the word until I read the movie review in the NYTimes two days ago. Even then I didn’t know the word was a poem title until I say the movie yesterday. Looking the poem up on-line brought me to your website. Very good poem and I also highly recommend the movie
I just designed a new calligraphy print of Invictus. This can be seen at: http://inkmonkey.com/artgallery/invictus/invictus.html
Great poem and looks like it will be a great movie, too.
everytime I read it, It lifts my spirit and gives me strength. much admired, but mcveigh has given it a bad rep.
I was given this poem in my 8th grade creative writing class many years ago. It has always been my favorite and I continue to reference it when my way seems unclear.