This poem, titled "Invictus", was written by William Ernest Henley after having his leg amputated below the knee when he was in his twenties. The poem expresses the themes of perseverance in the face of adversity and having an unconquerable spirit. It consists of four stanzas following an ABBA rhyme scheme, with each stanza depicting different hardships and obstacles one may face in life. However, the final lines declare that regardless of the challenges one faces, they have control over their own fate and soul.

1. William Ernest Henley

3. First Stanza 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.

4. Second Stanza In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed.

5. Third Stanza 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.

6. Fourth Stanza 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.

8. "Invictus", which is Latin for "Unconquered" Henley began to write poems, including "Invictus” after the amputation of his one leg below the knee, when he was in his twenties. Thus a poem about not giving up, no matter what may come our way.

9. This poem is a lyric poem. The overall rhyme scheme of the poem is ababcdcdefefghgh. Out of the night that covers me, a black as the pit from pole to pole, b I thank whatever gods may bea for my unconquerable soul. b

10. Vocabulary pole to pole from end to end unconquerable unbeatable fell cut/lethal/savage clutch grasp circumstance condition winced grimaced chance accidental unbowed undefeated

11. Vocabulary wrath anger looms emerges Horror fear menace threat unafraid fearless strait passage charged emotional scroll document

13. Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela used this poem as an inspiration during the apartheid years to sustain him.

14. Compare Mandela’s and Henley’s Situations

15. Read the poem and find allusions to the following themes (quote)

16. Find equivalents for the following phrases in the poem.

17. Quote the line which shows that the poem is addressed to anybody in the world, no matter what race or religion they are. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Quote the key lines of the poem. ______________________________________________________________________________ And interpret them! What is the message conveyed here. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Citation Worksheet prepared by Dominique. To view more of her work log on to: eslprintables.com Username: Julianaelle

20. Answer Key

21. Compare Mandela’s and Henley’s Situations

22. Read the poem and find allusions to the following themes (quote)

23. Find equivalents for the following phrases in the poem.

24. Quote the line which shows that the poem is addressed to anybody in the world, no matter what race or religion they are. _______________________________________ “ I thank whatever gods may be”

25. Quote the key lines of the poem. _“ I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul” And interpret them! What is the message conveyed here. Nobody can enslave my soul, I am free if I decide to be so. I am the decision-maker. The mind is stronger than the body, it helps you go on when you think you’ve lost all your strength and hopes.