It is debatable whether our destiny is in our own hands or whether it is governed by a higher power. It is a widespread belief among Christians that destiny is in the hands of God. In “Invictus,” W. E Henley states that we are the masters of our destiny and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. It is an inspirational poem, infused with stoic wisdom. In his poem, Henley, he is invincible because of his self-belief and his refusal to despair despite his difficulties. We are masters of our destiny, it is exemplified by the poet. She embodies fortitude in the face of adversity with the utmost grace and agility. The poem reflects his resilience amidst the darkness. He is undoubtedly heroic in his defiance of death. The poem serves as a source of inspiration for millions of people around the world as it teaches that if you are true to your beliefs, nothing can defeat you. You are endowed with an invincible spirit. Therefore, if you are independent, you can face any misfortune with courage, without resorting to religious recourse. Your destiny is defined by you. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Although the poet may be physically paralyzed by circumstances, his spirit is indomitable. Even after suffering from tuberculosis, which was an incurable disease in those days, the poet is confident and fearless. Henley suffered from skeletal tuberculosis, his left knee was amputated and his other leg was also affected. He underwent several surgeries to restore his legs. During his hospital stay in 1875, he expressed his thoughts in this enduring poem. The Latin word “Invictus” means invincible in English. The poet has used powerful images that evoke empathetic emotions in readers. The poem is written in the “rhyme scheme of abab, cdcd, efef, ghgh”. It is made up of “four stanzas”. Each stanza is made up of “four lines” (quatrain). The poem is composed of “sixteen lines”. But, simple in its structure, it contains a powerful message of an indomitable spirit. The powerful message of the invincibility of the spirit transcends its simplified structure. The glorification of the self as an invincible spirit and the subordination of the "gods" support Henley's autonomy. This is evident through a perfunctory reference to God such as: “I thank whatever god may be / For my invincible soul.” The many “gods” that begin with a lowercase “g” de-emphasize the gods. The capital 'I' in “I am” represents the self as an invincible spirit, which takes charge of its own destiny. The “gods” here allude to the pantheistic belief, that the higher power is within me and I am that invincible spirit. In this inspirational poem, the poet has poured out his heart on paper, which reflects his valiant spirit. After reading this poem, we are amazed by the poet's stance and are filled with a feeling of composure embodied by the poet. We admire the poet's strength of spirit, when he expresses his gratitude for his undefeated soul, despite being unwell. The poet is ready to embrace uncertainty, armed with his resolute self-confidence. He is ready to face the unknown stoically, which reflects his tolerance for ambiguity. He is not afraid of death. He is fearless. The beauty of this poem is that it inspires everyone. Speak to everyone, no matter where they come from. The meaning of the poem can be interpreted in many ways, from different perspectives. It is peppered with meaningful metaphors and images that awaken readers' belief and self-confidence. The poet expresses his anguish and thoughts, which resonate with all those who are ill and trying to recover from a serious illness. In his article “I am themaster of my destiny”, P. William underlines that Nelson Mandela was strongly inspired by this poem. “Undefeated by racism, imprisonment, tuberculosis and bitterness, Mandela persevered as master of his destiny. His lasting gift was his power of forgiveness – a gift we remember in his inimitable smile." The poem also resonates with people who are trying to fulfill a mission. The poem serves as a source of inspiration for players who take part in the “Invictus Games”. The Invictus Games are international sporting events attended by wounded, ill or injured military veterans. The poem was recited by Louis Smith (athlete), Iwan Thomas (athlete), Daniel Craig (actor), Tom Hardy (. actor) in the promotional video to inspire everyone poem conveys a message of hope and resilience: no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, our destiny is in our hands. We are truly masters of our destiny. The poem also appeals to students who are preparing for an exam, as it inspires and conveys a positive message of victory over our fears. The poem not only describes Henley's physical condition but also his mental state and how he overcomes these challenges on his own. -conviction. The beginning of the poem is undeniably dark, but in the end the poet's triumphant spirit overcomes the surrounding darkness (sadness). The poem begins with “the night”. The images of the night, as depicted in the poem, paint a dark picture. The 'night' refers to the anguish and suffering the poet is undergoing due to the complications of his tuberculosis treatment, painful surgeries and his physically debilitating condition in the hospital. “Beyond the place of wrath and tears / there looms but a shadow of a shadow.” The “black night” refers to the depression he was experiencing due to his difficult situation. The poem is not only about facing difficulties like physical illness/disability but also about fighting depression and pessimism. For people who are going through a difficult phase of depression, “Invictus” gives a message of hope, courage and determination by taking control of your destiny. The poet, personifying "circumstance" and "chance", described the bloody nature of his illness. Circumstances squeezed him and "chance" beat him. His head is bleeding, but he is not bowed. He kept his spirits high, went undefeated and didn't give up. The poem encourages everyone by instilling self-confidence when it expresses, “I am imperturbable, even when chance has befallen me. I am indomitable. My spirit is invincible,” a reflection of the stoicism that professes to be resilient and composed even in misery. There is a secular philosophy, as the Victorian era witnessed the evolution of Darwinian thought and the challenge of creationism. The poet emphasizes his freedom of action and autonomy with respect to destiny rather than God, this reflects the philosophy of his contemporary, Nietzsche, who glorified man above God. Stoicism echoes the wisdom of Seneca. The Victorian age was disenchanted with austerity and Christian farce. Dependence on self rather than religion is the hallmark of this poem. The poem used religious imagery but the poem is not religious. There are allusions to biblical symbols: “It doesn't matter how narrow the door is / how heavy the scroll is”. The “gate” refers to the entrance to heaven or hell, a Christian belief of occupation of heaven/hell after death. From the poet's expression, the word “scroll” in the scriptural sense is punitive towards him, regardless, the poet proclaims his victory. The poet is no longer afraid of death. He is not concerned about heaven or hell and declares himself master of his own 2020