Today’s poem–benign anthem of the resilient human spirit or a hymn to radical autonomy?–has divided audiences for more than a century. Born in Gloucester, England, poet, editor, and critic William Ernest Henley was educated at Crypt Grammar School, where he studied with the poet T.E. Brown, and the University of St. Andrews. His father was a struggling bookseller who died when Henley was a teenager. At age 12 Henley was diagnosed with tubercular arthritis that necessitated the amputation of one of his legs just below the knee; the other foot was saved only through a radical surgery performed by Joseph Lister. As he healed in the infirmary, Henley began to write poems, including “Invictus,” which concludes with the oft-referenced lines “I am the master of my fate; / I am the captain of my soul.” Henley’s poems often engage themes of inner strength and perseverance. His numerous collections of poetry include
Sean. Thank you for this interpretation of this poem. I see Henley a proud, stubborn, extremely independent man. Like many of us who are imprisoned to the idea we must do life on our own. Praise God some of us have come to realize we cannot do it alone. We need God.
Sean. Thank you for this interpretation of this poem. I see Henley a proud, stubborn, extremely independent man. Like many of us who are imprisoned to the idea we must do life on our own. Praise God some of us have come to realize we cannot do it alone. We need God.