'Invictus' is a ballad filled with the creator's insights and vision. It was composed by the incomparable William Ernest Henley in 1875. The word invictus itself, in Latin means "invincible". This argument is carried forward throughout the ballad in the verses, most clearly, "for my invincible soul." The argument is subordinated to the encounters that Henley was experiencing at the time he composed this work of art. The infection that ravaged his body, tuberculosis, and his struggle with it, awakened "Invictus." Henley had been determined to have tuberculosis at the age of twelve. His foot was found to be contaminated and was thus cut off. Even when pushed by specialists, Henley would not let his other foot suffer a similar fate. Henley led a full life until the age of fifty-six. The lyrics were composed while Henley was still hospitalized. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay "Invictus" begins by presenting evil spirits, obstacles, or a negative proximity. This is what "Out of the Night That Spreads Me" is about. 'Night' signifying Henley's difficulties, even more explicitly, his tuberculosis. The text describes the "night" as "dark as the pit, from the well to the post". Which implies that this "night" is not a simple deterrent. It is something that justifies fear, being huge and boring, something ready to "spread" or take control over him should he not have the solidarity to defeat it. However, in the last stanzas of the section he claims to have that quality quite recently. “I thank whatever divine being may be for my invincible soul.” His "invincible soul" is the quality he possesses that does not allow him to be overwhelmed by illness or the "night". nor did he shout so that anyone could hear.' This essentially expresses whatever he may be experiencing (e.g. the removal or torment of his leg) but has apparently not expressed the misery within him. "Under the sticks of blows, my head is evil, but not bent." Due to the cold blood of fate, whatever he endured, he may have been damaged physically, internally or rationally and did not give up. He did not bow, he held his head high against his evil presences and showed no fear for his future. This shows his mental strength, confidence and respect. “Past this point of anger and tears” signifies the dismal and difficult opportunities that were available, “The machines for weaving the horrible shadow” were only paving the way for what is verifiably more terrible. . “But then the threat of the years, Find, and you will find out, without fear” means that in realizing that such unpleasant occasions could or will get worse, he faces them with much more grit and conviction than if he had not known. Please note: This is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In the last section of this text Henley rounds it out effectively. “It doesn't matter how straight the step is,” meaning it made no difference how limited, demanding, or unambiguous it appeared in one direction. 'As accused of discipline the scroll' that is regardless of how often his activity may have exploded backwards, his lament for his choices or what the results of his decisions were. "I am the ace of my destiny: I am the captain of my spirit." He was responsible. He could change the results, he would decide his own future. Henley will not give in to tuberculosis, he will change his destiny and fight with his qualities..